App to Extend Focus Modes on macOS?

Software
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I am considering whether I would benefit by using an app to set boundaries on one aspect of my electronic life. Specifically on macOS, I’d like to turn off access to certain apps entirely, doing so based on decisions to time-block my activities. For example, I’d like to set a focus mode called “plan” that only allows OmniFocus and Curio with a specific project set (if possible) to be opened, with all else inaccessible. The time period would be open-ended, i.e. until I am done planning.

Ideally, I would simply like to extend the built-in Focus mode approach in macOS to be able also to define what app(s) are allowed or prohibited in a given mode.

I’ve previewed information for Opal, Freedom, and ScreenZen as starting points. I believe that any of them will do time scheduling but only Opal may do specifically what I want. I started to download Opal, but it requires an account for its free trial.

I’d appreciate any insights.

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JJW

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I use Focus for this kind of blocking:

I don’t tie an iOS focus mode to it, but trigger an iOS focus mode and a Focus Profile simultaneously. Focus can be triggered via URL schemes with parameters, though, so you can probably do a “When [Email] focus mode is turned on, open this URL to trigger a specific focus profile [for a specific amount of time” Shortcut automation.

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Ah, just caught this detail:

The process I describe above would work. I’m not sure about blocking other aspects of OmniFocus and Curio but you could certainly use URL schemes to open the specific project sets you want from
the same Shortcut.

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I had forgotten about Focus. I have (re)installed it from SetApp. I expect that I will limit myself to restricting what apps and Websites are permitted in any one setting. By example, in “Plan” focus, I allow only OmniFocus, Curio, and the Calendar. Otherwise, the “Open” focus is simply to allow anything and everything.

In this regard, I wish the Applications tab would have an equivalent Allow toggle as in the Websites tab. I’ve gotten around this limitation by including all applications in a block list and then removing those applications that I want to use in the given mode. It’s a bit of a kludge, but it works.

Thanks for the reminder! I think I’ve got what I need.

–
JJW

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