🏷️Product: DeskRest is a customizable break reminder for macOS, promoting healthier work habits, better posture, and reduced eye strain with gentle, unobtrusive notifications.
💸Investment: 0$
📊Business model: Freemium
🛠️Tech stack: Swift, SwiftUI, macOS, Lemon Squeezy.
🌐Website: https://www.deskrest.app/
🗨️Social pages: 🔗@DeskRest_App 🔗Instagram 🔗GitHub

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to develop DeskRest?

I’ve been an iOS developer for several years now, with a degree in computer science focused on app development. The idea for DeskRest actually came from my own health struggles from sitting at a desk all day. I was looking for a break reminder mac app to remind me to take breaks and do some desk exercises, but couldn’t find anything that fit the bill. So, I decided to create DeskRest myself. It was born out of a personal need, really. My girlfriend is a designer and I’m a programmer, this is our joint project.

How did you validate the concept for DeskRest before starting development, and what specific gap in the market were you aiming to address?

To validate DeskRest’s concept, I researched Reddit forums, finding numerous user complaints about workplace wellness issues like forgetting breaks and poor posture. This revealed a clear market need. I also identified a gap – while individual apps for break reminders or exercises existed, none combined both effectively. DeskRest aimed to fill this gap by offering an integrated solution for workplace wellness and productivity.

How does a user experience DeskRest, from download to customizing break reminders and improving their routine?

When a user first downloads the break reminder mac app, DeskRest, they are guided through a quick and intuitive onboarding process to set up their preferences. This initial setup, including installation, takes no more than three minutes, after which the user is ready to start benefiting from the app’s features.

Let’s say a user sets their focus time to 20 minutes. After this period, DeskRest initiates their first break by locking the screen for a user-defined pause duration, typically 30 seconds. During this time, the user is encouraged to stand up, look out the window, and give their eyes a chance to relax. A gentle sound signals the end of the break, indicating it’s time to resume work.

DeskRest resides unobtrusively in the menu bar, always accessible but never intrusive. In addition to scheduled breaks, the app offers posture reminders – brief visual cues prompting users to adjust their sitting position. This feature is particularly valuable as it’s easy to inadvertently maintain the same posture for hours when engrossed in screen work.

New features

Another feature is the “Quitting Time Lock,” (coming soon) designed to promote a healthy work-life balance. Users can set their preferred end-of-workday time, and as this time approaches, DeskRest sends gentle reminders to start wrapping up tasks. When the set quitting time arrives, the app initiates a screen lock. This feature creates a clear boundary between work and personal time, encouraging mindfulness around work hours and promoting a more balanced approach to productivity.

We’re also developing a standing desk feature (coming soon), allowing users to set reminders for when to use their standing desk. This feature will enable users to input and track their own custom exercises, further promoting physical activity throughout the workday.

Throughout their day, users can easily interact with DeskRest through its menu bar interface, adjusting settings or viewing their progress as needed. This seamless integration into the user’s workflow ensures that DeskRest becomes an effortless part of their daily routine, helping to improve focus, posture, and overall well-being without disrupting productivity. From the moment they start their workday to the time they clock out, DeskRest is there to support users in maintaining a healthier, more balanced work routine.

How did you attract your first users for DeskRest, and which initial strategies were most effective?

DeskRest’s initial user acquisition came primarily through a post on r/macApps subreddit. This strategy proved highly effective, generating the first free trials and sales while providing valuable user feedback. The positive response validated the app’s market fit and guided immediate improvements. Following this success, we expanded our presence across various social media platforms. The Reddit community’s engagement was crucial, confirming market demand and shaping the app’s development through constructive input. This early community involvement and responsiveness to feedback were key factors in DeskRest’s initial traction and growth.

Why should users choose DeskRest over other productivity tools, and how does it improve their workday and well-being?

This break reminder mac app, DeskRest, stands out as the ideal solution for improving your workday and well-being due to its comprehensive and customizable approach. Unlike single-purpose tools, DeskRest combines break reminders, posture alerts, standing desk notifications, and a quitting time lock in one seamless package. Its elegant break screen and progress tracking keep you motivated, while the ability to personalize settings ensures it fits seamlessly into your unique workflow.

DeskRest’s focus on both productivity and well-being, coupled with its user-friendly interface, makes it the perfect all-in-one tool for creating a balanced, healthy work routine without disrupting your focus. By choosing DeskRest, you’re investing in a solution that not only boosts productivity but also prioritizes your long-term physical and mental well-being.

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