Blink – configurable break reminder

Blink is a lightweight break-reminder system designed to encourage regular pauses while using a computer. It separates the background timer service from its control utility, so reminders can run continuously without requiring a permanently open application window. The approach suits users who prefer a small service that integrates with the desktop notification system.

Configuration is stored in YAML and can define several independent timers. This makes Blink useful for combining short eye-rest reminders with less frequent prompts to stand, stretch or move away from the screen. An optional Linux activity service can take keyboard and mouse inactivity into account so reminders do not continue while the user is already away.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

• Supports multiple timers with different reminder intervals.
• Lets timers use an initial delay before recurring reminders begin.
• Displays desktop notifications with configurable titles and descriptions.
• Can choose from several descriptions when issuing a notification.
• Supports configurable notification timeouts.
• Can play an OGG sound when a timer expires.
• Can execute a user-defined command at the end of a timer.
• Includes a control utility for checking status, toggling timers and resetting them.
• Can display a notification when the background service starts.
• Offers an optional Linux input-activity daemon for keyboard and mouse tracking.
• Can pause or reset timers after configured periods of inactivity.
• Gives timers priority according to their order in the configuration.

Website: github.com/rijkvp/blink
Support:
Developer: Rijk van Putten
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

Blink is written in Rust. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category. The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form.