monocle
Noise-cancelling
Noise-cancelling
for your screen
for your screen
A modern take on window dimming for macOS.
A modern take on window dimming
for macOS.
What users say
4.8 / 5.0
Hi Dominik,
I stumbled across Monocle recently, and was really moved by the elegance of the concept and execution. It's quiet and beautiful in a way that most digital tools have forgotten. You've built something really special.
My partner and I run a tiny technical agency based in SF and Seoul, and it's these pieces of inspiration that really keep us going. Your work has given us some incredible motivation at the end of a long winter.
I think that sometimes in the daily grind of our own agency work, we don't take enough time to give credit to the things that catch our eye and keep us hungry to create great work, so I wanted to make it a point to reach out and let you know the impact it's had on us.
So, thank you.
Cheers,
Cory
❤️
This is so beautiful, elegant, and simple. Well done.
I'm impressed with the idea, I subscribe to those here who say it elicits the "why hasn't it been done before?" question.
The visuals are so beautiful that instead of reducing distractions I am trying to set up windows such that I can see beautiful blurs around my main window.
👀
I'm really liking Monocle. The half-gradient blurring of windows to reduce distractions is so damn tasteful.
I used to use HazeOver, but when I saw the Monocle app, I fell in love with it at first sight—just look how beautiful it is!
Your app has made it to my workflow, love it! Fits the aesthetics too!
I've tried macOS window dimming apps which help focus our attention on the active app window, but this one's just too beautiful.
I honestly love the notion that it's noise cancelling for the screen, why didn’t this exist sooner
🤔
Changelog
2.0
Major update with smoother window-to-window transitions, more customization options, and experimental tool for sharing desktop setups. Settings got a full refresh with macOS 26 Tahoe support, a new license reset feature, and polished interface elements for a cleaner, more intuitive experience. Many bugs have been fixed for better stability and reliability.
• New: Smooth window-to-window transitions (Experimental)
• New: Option to keep all windows of the same app unblurred when switching between them (Experimental)
• New: Before/After GIF Preview generator for sharing desktop setups on social media (Experimental)
• New: License reset feature to free up license seats from previous macOS installs or devices
• Improved: Updated and simplified Settings UI with full macOS 26 Tahoe support
• Improved: Monocle’s theme picker now affects all Monocle windows, not just the overlay
• Improved: Auto-hide dock and menu bar permission check code greatly simplified
• Improved: Revamped right-click menu with icons
• Improved: Redesigned Menu bar icons for Excluded and Gradient modes
• Improved: Added “Ideas / Issues?” button in Settings for easier bug reporting and feature suggestions
• Improved: Enhanced onboarding tooltip
• Improved: Various codebase fixes and cleaner implementation
• Fixed: Removing shortcuts using trash icon now properly updates shortcut state
• Fixed: Reset all settings button now properly updates shortcut default states
• Fixed: Clicking “Settings…” in menu bar while Settings window is open now brings it to front instead of closing
• Fixed: Monocle losing focus when dismissing “no updates available” dialog while other windows are open
• Fixed: Excluding/including apps now properly updates menu bar icon state
• Fixed: License checking bug that sometimes forced license disable on relaunch
• Fixed: Minimized Monocle windows can now be properly restored by clicking dock icon
1.1.2
This update brings small but impactful improvements: a cleaner Rules settings page, CMD + W support for closing Monocle windows, a Trash icon to easily remove shortcuts, and groundwork for smoother future window transitions.
• Fixed: Scrollbar no longer appears in Rules view when using a mouse
• Improved: Added a "Trash" icon for removing shortcuts
• Improved: You can now use CMD + W to close Monocle windows (Settings and License)
• Refactored: Simplified fade in/out transition code in preparation for smoother window-to-window transitions
1.1.1
A minor update addressing the grain rendering issue to eliminate repeating patterns and stripes.
• Fixed: Improved grain function to eliminate repeating patterns and stripes
1.1
This update brings critical fixes for external monitors, improved blur performance, and new experimental features like overlay opacity sliders and automatic Dock/menu bar hiding.
• Critical Fix: Resolved blur display issues when using external monitors
• Fixed: “Click wallpaper to reveal desktop” now properly allows interaction with desktop items
• Fixed: Blur now works correctly when desktop icons are hidden via System Settings or third-party apps
• New: Added sliders to control overlay opacity (Experimental) and fade transition timing
• New: Option to automatically hide Dock and/or menu bar when in focus mode (Experimental)
• Improved: Replaced tooltip check icon with a clearer “Got it!” button
• Improved: Added support for function keys (F1-F12) in keyboard shortcuts
• Fixed: Eliminated flickering when switching between Deep and Ambient modes
• Fixed: Removed 1px artifact that appeared in the center of the screen when focus was off
• Fixed: Resolved grain pattern rendering issues affecting some users
• Fixed: Improved interaction with menu bar items when Settings or License windows are open
• New: Minimalistic app menu and dock icon when Settings or License window is open
• Fixed: License key input field placeholder dots appeared too cramped on some devices
• Improved: Settings UI adjustments for clearer organization and controls
• Improved: Simplified and refactored detection code for better performance
• Various other bug fixes and improvements
1.0.2
This update improves macOS 14 compatibility and adds more global shortcuts. The Settings interface and right-click menu have also been refined for a more user-friendly experience.
• Fixed: Blur layer now displays correctly on macOS 14 (previously showing solid color)
• Added: New global shortcuts for switching focus mode and excluding/including apps
• Added: Dedicated Shortcuts tab in Settings
• Added: Finder is now excluded by default to allow desktop icon interaction (temporary solution while working on proper desktop click detection)
• New: Redesigned onboarding tooltip with improved visuals
• New: Added menu bar icon indicator for excluded apps
• Improved: Simplified and restructured Settings interface
• Improved: Streamlined right-click menu
• Fixed: Control + click now properly simulates right-click on menu bar icon
• Various UI refinements and bug fixes
1.0.1
A small update introducing a helpful tooltip guide for first-time users to make onboarding smoother.
• Added a simple tooltip guide when you first launch the app
1.0
The initial release of Monocle! 🎉 This version lays the foundation with core focus mode features, blur effects, and the first iteration of the Settings interface.
The digital
world is loud.
Monocle makes it whisper. Crafted by Dominik Kandravy (& Cursor).
Every moment, something steals our focus until we can’t remember what we sat down to do.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
What if your screen could stop shouting—and simply let you be?
Monocle quiets it all down, softening everything so only what truly matters remains.
It’s not just about productivity. It’s about presence—feeling calm while you work, write, browse, think.
No noise. No clutter. Just space to breathe.
Beautiful noise-free workspace
Smooth transitions, soft blur, total focus—a workspace that's as calm as it's beautiful.
Always within reach
Monocle sits quietly in your menu bar. Click to focus, or Shift-click to toggle between gradient and fullscreen styles.
Your shortcut to calm
Command Monocle from anywhere on your Mac with custom shortcuts.
Fully customizable
Fine-tune visual style, transitions, and behavior to fit your focus needs, with full multi-display support.
No clutter, just what matters
Keep the dock and menu bar out of sight for a truly immersive experience.
Two distinct styles
Gradient for focus with context. Fullscreen for full immersion.
Your rules
Need full context while working in a specific app? Exclude it and Monocle will stay out of the way.
7-day free trial
One-time payment
$9 single seat / $20 three seats
Visit on desktop for full site
Monocle makes it whisper. Crafted by Dominik Kandravy (& Cursor).
The digital
world is loud.
💎 #4 Product of The Day
💎 #4 on PH