Anyone who works from home knows the struggle of staying focused throughout the day. I recently found MoMoYu Timer, a delightfully playful Mac menu bar app that approaches productivity tracking from an unexpectedly honest angle - it measures the time you spend “slacking off” instead of pretending you’re always productive.
The app’s Chinese name (摸摸鱼) literally translates to something like “touching fish,” a colloquial expression for wasting time at work. Rather than guilt-tripping you about unproductive moments, MoMoYu embraces the reality that everyone needs breaks and offers gentle awareness instead of harsh judgment.
I’ve been experimenting with this approach on my Mac Mini M4 for about two weeks now. The app sits quietly in your menu bar, automatically calculating daily leisure time without requiring manual timers or complicated tracking. The motto “你偷的懒，鱼鱼都记得” roughly translates to “The fish remembers the time you’ve slacked off” - capturing the app’s whimsical personality perfectly.
What makes MoMoYu different from traditional productivity apps is its non-judgmental approach. Instead of blocking websites or sending stern reminders, it simply shows you patterns in your day. I found this awareness surprisingly effective - seeing actual numbers made me naturally adjust my habits without feeling micromanaged.
The interface is refreshingly simple, developed by JJ Ying with input from the community during its early development phase. It requires macOS 13 or later and comes completely free with no subscriptions or hidden costs. The app is lightweight, using minimal system resources while providing its gentle tracking functionality.
For Mac users who find traditional productivity apps too aggressive or complicated, MoMoYu offers a more human approach to self-awareness. It acknowledges that perfect productivity is unrealistic while still encouraging better habits through mindful observation rather than strict enforcement.
