Peeky is a free macOS app that places animated eyes in the menu bar as a passive break reminder. The eyes change color — turning progressively red as screen time accumulates — and close gradually as evening approaches, mimicking a circadian pattern. The reminder works through ambient visual feedback rather than pop-up alerts or timers. (Free)
The app tracks session duration and adjusts the eye state accordingly. Users configure fatigue profiles to set how quickly the eyes redden and how long working sessions should be before the visual cue becomes prominent. Silly Modes provide alternative animations for variety. No notification permissions are required; the entire signal lives in the menu bar icon.
The approach differs from conventional break reminder apps: rather than interrupting work with a dialog at a fixed interval, Peeky provides a persistent ambient indicator the user can glance at and choose to act on.
System requirements: macOS 13 Ventura or later. Compatible with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Pricing: Free. No in-app purchases.
Limitations: Peeky does not enforce breaks — it only provides a visual cue that the user can ignore. Tracking is based on continuous screen time rather than active keyboard and mouse input, so time away from the Mac may not reset the indicator as expected. The app is primarily developed in French, so some UI elements or documentation may appear in French.
Alternatives: Time Out (scheduled break enforcement with screen overlay), Lungo (keep-awake utility, different use case), Breaks For Eyes (structured break schedules with exercises).
Suitable for users who want a subtle, non-intrusive reminder to step away from the screen and prefer ambient cues over scheduled interruptions.
