What counts as offline
AI Focus treats your Mac as offline only when nothing it tests can be reached, FocusDragon's server included. Offline, there's no AI model to ask, so a few rules decide instead. The block screen says “Offline. Games, video and your offline list count as distractions.”
If other sites work but FocusDragon's server doesn't, that isn't offline. FocusDragon shows a notice instead: focusdragon.app/docs/ai-focus-notices
Always counted while offline
- Games: any app in the Games category.
- Anything playing video that keeps the display awake.
- A video file from your Mac playing in a browser.
These three are fixed and can't be switched off.
Your offline list
On top of those, anything on your offline list counts as a distraction while you're offline. The list starts with Steam, Epic Games Launcher, VLC, IINA, QuickTime Player, TV, Music and Spotify.
Game launchers such as Steam and Epic aren't in the Games category, which is why they're on the list. Browsers aren't on it unless you add them.
Changing the list
- Before a block starts, open the block length and options menu on the start screen to edit your offline list. You can add apps, remove them or restore the defaults.
- Keep your most distracting apps on it. Anything you leave off is allowed whenever you're offline, so going offline shouldn't be a way out.
- During a block the list is locked. You can look at it, but changes wait until the block ends.
The usual rules still apply
Offline, AI Focus still needs two checks in a row with the same app in front before it closes anything, and anything it closes follows the usual cooldown ladder of 2, 2, 5 and 10 minutes. How that works: focusdragon.app/docs/how-ai-focus-works
AI Focus uses its offline rules until you're back online, then goes back to normal checks by itself.