Overview
PeekFocus is a Mac app from Lucidbit that helps you concentrate by dimming or blurring every window except the one you're actively working in. It reduces visual clutter and brings intentional focus to your workflow, letting you control how your desktop looks with a single keystroke. The app lives quietly in your menu bar and supports three distinct modes: Standard, Ambience, and Focus.
Application scenarios
Deep work sessions
Focus on a single document or code editor while everything else fades into a blur or dim.
Design and creative work
Keep your design tool sharp while secondary windows or reference images soften in the background.
Presentations and demos
Show only the active app to an audience, with a calm backdrop replacing desktop noise.
Multi-monitor setups
Apply the effect to all displays at once or configure each screen independently for a consistent focus environment.
Casual browsing or reading
Reduce distraction from other open apps when reading long articles or research papers.
Ambient desktop mode
Use Ambience mode to replace the background with a calm gradient or wallpaper, keeping windows in place.
Core features
Three modes
Switch between Standard, Ambience, or Focus from the menu bar—each mode does one thing, beautifully, and remembers its own surface settings.
Beautiful surfaces
Choose from a frosted blur, a smooth dim with three intensity levels (subtle, balanced, strong), or replace the background with your own wallpaper.
Hold to Reveal
Hold the Option key (or a modifier of your choice) to briefly peek underneath the veil without leaving Focus mode—release and the calm returns.
Shake to Toggle
Give your mouse a small shake to toggle the veil on or off, keeping your hands on the trackpad and eyes on the work.
Every display support
Apply the calm to one screen or all of them, with multi-display setups treated as first-class citizens.
Live Gradient
Enable a slowly drifting gradient that breathes in the background for optional movement, or leave it off for stillness.
Desktop Widget
Tap a widget on your desktop to switch modes without opening the app, providing a second path to the same calm.
Speaks Your Language
Ships with 35 languages out of the box, following your Mac's system language or letting you pick one directly from the menu.
Target users
PeekFocus is built for Mac users who work in distraction-prone environments—freelancers, remote workers, writers, designers, developers, or anyone who needs to lock into a single task. It's also useful for presenters who want to show only the active app and for multi-monitor users who want per-screen control over focus.
How to use
Download the app from the official site, then launch it from your menu bar. Use a keyboard shortcut, mouse shake, or desktop widget to switch between Standard, Ambience, and Focus modes. Customize the surface (blur, dim, or wallpaper) for each mode separately. Hold a reveal key to peek underneath without leaving Focus. The app supports all displays and remembers your settings per mode.
Effect review
PeekFocus delivers exactly what it promises: a clean, distraction-free Mac experience with minimal setup. The three modes give you real flexibility—Ambience for a calm backdrop, Focus for deep concentration, and Standard for leaving your desktop alone. The hold-to-reveal and shake-to-toggle features feel natural and don't interrupt your flow. For a one-time payment under $5, it's a practical tool for anyone who regularly battles visual clutter on their screen.
Frequently asked questions
What is PeekFocus?
PeekFocus is a Lucidbit app that helps you focus on one window by dimming or blurring all others, reducing visual clutter and improving concentration.
How does PeekFocus work?
It automatically dims or blurs background windows, highlighting the active window so you can concentrate without distractions.
Is PeekFocus available for Windows and Mac?
PeekFocus is developed by Lucidbit and is available for Windows; Mac support may vary—check the official site.
Can I adjust the dimming or blur level?
Yes, PeekFocus allows you to customize the opacity and blur intensity of background windows to suit your preference.
Does PeekFocus affect performance?
PeekFocus is lightweight and optimized to minimize system resource usage, so it typically runs smoothly on most modern computers.
Is PeekFocus free?
PeekFocus offers a free trial; a paid license may be required for full features. Check the Lucidbit website for pricing details.
Launch URL
https://lucidbit.app/PeekFocus/peekfocus.htmlTags
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