Question 1

Does LockIn help with work-from-home distractions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It blocks distracting sites at the system level while you work from home, and your AI can start focus sessions so you don't rely on willpower alone between meetings.

Question 2

Can I unblock briefly between meetings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ask your AI for a temporary unblock with a timer, or end the focus session when the block is over. You're not stuck locked out of the internet forever.

Question 3

Does it work after restart?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Which platforms are supported?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Is this a subscription?

Accepted Answer

Pro is available as a subscription ($2.99/month or $29.99/year — both include a 3-day free trial) or as a one-time lifetime license ($59.99). Pick what fits you on the pricing section.

Question 6

How do I use it with Poke?

Accepted Answer

Run the installer and choose Poke — it copies your relay MCP URL. In Poke, paste the URL, choose OAuth, sign in on lockinmcp.com, then add our recipe at https://poke.com/r/KQ7myvC_Xpo.

Question 7

Which AI tools work with LockIn?

Accepted Answer

After install, open /dashboard/agents to connect Poke, Claude (web), ChatGPT, Cursor, Hermes, OpenClaw, and install the Chrome extension. Claude Desktop is the exception: npx -y lockin-mcp connect-agent --agent claude-desktop. Any MCP client can use your relay URL.

Question 8

How does the Chrome extension work?

Accepted Answer

Optional add-on for Pro subscribers. Sign in from the extension popup via OAuth, then manage focus tasks from the bottom-left widget on any site or from your new tab page. While a task is active, the extension blocks distracting pages, can check whether a site matches your task, and logs distraction attempts to Dashboard → Sessions. System-wide blocking still runs through the desktop installer and hosts file; the extension adds browser-level task focus on top.

Question 9

Is my search history shared with AI?

Accepted Answer

No. LockIn does not upload your full browsing or search history, and nothing is shared with Poke, Claude, ChatGPT, or any other AI you connect. The Chrome extension only logs distraction attempts on your active block list while focus mode is on (plus short productive dwell on a small set of work sites). Task-aware blocking may send a page URL and short excerpt to LockIn's server for a relevance check — that stays on our side, is tied only to your LockIn account for your own tool, and is not stored as a browsing profile or passed to third-party AI agents.

Question 10

How do I disconnect an AI agent?

Accepted Answer

Revoke the connection on Dashboard → Agents. This stops LockIn from accepting that OAuth token — you may still need to remove the connector inside Poke, Claude, or ChatGPT separately.

Question 11

How does LockIn compare to Freedom or Cold Turkey?

Accepted Answer

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 — with subscription or lifetime pricing. See our comparisons at /compare.

Question 12

Is LockIn MCP a good AI productivity tool?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

How do Claude web, ChatGPT, and Poke authenticate?

Accepted Answer

Poke, Claude (claude.ai), and ChatGPT use OAuth — sign in on lockinmcp.com when prompted. Do not paste your API key in OAuth fields. Claude Desktop uses your API key from the setup manifest via mcp-remote.

Question 14

How do I report a bug or request a feature?

Accepted Answer

Use the Report form at /report (linked on the homepage footer). Include steps to reproduce for bugs; optional install log and platform details help. We reply to the email you provide.

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