Does it work after restart?

Yes. Blocks persist in your hosts file, and the background service keeps MCP running and temp-unblock timers active.

Which platforms are supported?

macOS is fully supported. Linux and Windows have hosts blocking with platform-specific DNS flush and background services.

Is this a subscription?

No. Pay once for a lifetime Pro license. The 50% launch discount is permanent.

How do I use it with Poke?

After install, connect your MCP URL in Poke, then add our recipe at https://poke.com/r/KQ7myvC_Xpo.

Which AI tools work with LockIn?

Any MCP client — Poke, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and others. Connect your relay MCP URL after install.

How does LockIn compare to Freedom or Cold Turkey?

Freedom syncs blocking across phone and desktop but has no AI integration (~$40/year). Cold Turkey offers maximum desktop lockdown ($39 once) but is manual only. LockIn MCP is the only blocker with native MCP — your AI starts focus sessions — at $9.99 lifetime. See our comparisons at /compare.

Is LockIn MCP a good AI productivity tool?

Yes, if you already use Poke, Claude, or ChatGPT. Your assistant can block_domains, enter_focus_mode, and manage timed unblocks via MCP — no separate focus app to open. Pair with iOS Screen Time for mobile.

LockIn MCP vs Cold Turkey: Desktop Blocking Compared

ComparisonJune 16, 20267 min read

Cold Turkey is the gold standard for unbypassable desktop blocking. See how LockIn MCP compares on enforcement, AI control, and pricing.

Cold Turkey Blocker has a reputation as the most aggressive desktop distraction blocker available. Frozen Turkey can lock your entire computer. LockIn MCP can't match that nuclear option — but it adds something Cold Turkey doesn't have: AI-controlled focus through MCP. Here's how they stack up.

Quick verdict

Choose Cold Turkey if

You want maximum bypass resistance, Frozen Turkey lockdown, and you're willing to pay $39 once with zero AI integration. Best for writers and coders who need ironclad desktop enforcement.

Choose LockIn MCP if

You want AI to trigger and manage blocks, need MCP integration with Poke/Claude/ChatGPT, and prefer hosts-based blocking at $9.99 lifetime. Best for developers in the AI productivity stack.

Comparison table

Feature	LockIn MCP	Cold Turkey
Price	$9.99 lifetime	$39 one-time (Pro)
Platforms	macOS, Linux, Windows	macOS, Windows only
Blocking	Hosts file	System-level app + site blocks
AI / MCP	Full MCP server	None
Frozen lockdown	No	Yes (Frozen Turkey)
Task manager block	No	Yes
Temp unblock + auto re-block	Yes (AI or CLI)	Limited
Mobile	No	No

Blocking strength

Cold Turkey wins on raw enforcement. It can block the task manager, require random text to unlock, and freeze your entire machine. LockIn MCP uses hosts-file redirection — sites resolve to localhost, which blocks them in every browser and most apps, but a technical user could edit /etc/hosts manually (same as any hosts-based tool).

AI productivity

This is LockIn MCP's clear advantage. Cold Turkey is entirely manual. With LockIn, your AI assistant can call enter_focus_mode to block YouTube, X, TikTok, Reddit, and more in one action — or block_domains for a custom list. Temporarily_unblock_domains lets you take a timed break without forgetting to re-enable blocks. For AI productivity workflows, that's a category LockIn owns.

Pricing

Both are one-time purchases, not subscriptions. Cold Turkey Pro is $39; LockIn MCP Pro is $9.99 (50% launch discount, lifetime). If budget is the tiebreaker and you don't need Frozen Turkey, LockIn is the cheaper path to system-level blocking.

Bottom line

Pick Cold Turkey for maximum desktop lockdown and zero interest in AI. Pick LockIn MCP if you're building an AI productivity stack and want distraction blocking your assistant can control — at a lower price point.