Locked-In

Project: Locked-In A browser extension that actually helps you stay on task

Problem & Effect: Students often sit down with every intention to be productive, but end up losing full study or work sessions to doom-scrolling, impulsive tab-hopping, or social media distractions. Existing productivity apps help, but they require too much setup often, are too cluttered, or still allow users to easily break their own focus by not preventing it in any shape or form. Most people need something simple and effective, which is what our browser extension is.

Our solution & How it works: Our extension has some key features which we believe can help our users lock in or be more productive.

Daily and Recurring Check-List

Users can add tasks for the day such as homework or other things they need to get done
A recurrent task list lets users set daily habits, these automatically repeat everyday and you don’t have to re-add them.
Color coded tasks for users to easily recognize the urgency of the tasks.

Pomodoro-Style Timer

The user starts a focused “lock-in” session which can be set for however long by the user, at the end of the session, the extension provides a period of time for a brain break.

Website Blocker

During a focus session, distracting websites are blocked which you put in before-hand. During brain breaks, those same sites are automatically unblocked. This helps prevent cheating your own system while still giving guilt-free break time. Once your brain break is over, the site goes back to being blocked.

Tech Stack: Chrome Extension Manifest V3 JavaScript, HTML, CSS Chrome Extension APIs:

declarativeNetRequest
storage
tabs
action
- Custom blocked UI using injected HTML/CSS

Challenges: Making the timer and website blocker communicate seamlessly Managing extension state across popup, background, and content scripts Ensuring the blocked page loads instantly without breaking site layouts\

Accomplishments: Fully integrated tasks + timer + blocker workflow The progress bar and stats view that visualize your productivity Simple but effective UI

What we learnt: How Chrome’s extension architecture works Effective teamwork and rapid development during a hackathon The Importance of Simplicity

Whats Next? Student profiles with streaks and progress charts GitHub-style study activity maps Shareable focus stats for friendly competition More customization

Team Members Marvin – Lead Engineer - GMU Jose – Engineer - UVA Tarique – Engineer - GMU Tameem – Engineer - GMU