{
  "id": 7540585,
  "title": "Building Targetify: An automated, local-first tab tracker with an on-site HUD",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/building-targetify-an-automated-local-first-tab-tracker-with-an-on",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-15T11:06:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/targetifyapp/building-targetify-an-automated-local-first-tab-tracker-with-an-on-site-hud-2i2f"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In an era where losing focus can easily derail productivity, Targetify emerges as a solution to the problem of context switching and manual timers. This lightweight browser extension automates the process of tracking time spent on specific tasks, allowing users to remain deep in their work without constantly checking timers or toggling between windows.\n\nTargetify's core architecture involves selective tab listening, which hooks into browser tab events to identify the currently opened tabs. Users have the ability to select their working domains, ensuring that the extension only increments counters when those specific tabs are actively focused. This selective approach minimizes distractions and allows users to monitor their productivity more accurately.\n\nOne of the standout features of Targetify is its in-page floating HUD, which injects a lightweight overlay directly onto chosen sites. This overlay provides users with instant visibility of their focus time, eliminating the need to open the extension popup for updates. The HUD serves as a constant reminder of progress and encourages users to maintain their deep work mindset.\n\nIn addition to the visual aids, Targetify offers a comprehensive analytics dashboard. This dedicated view provides users with a wealth of information, including total time spent on tasks, daily averages, efficiency rates, weekly trend curves, monthly activity heatmaps, and a domain breakdown chart. By analyzing these metrics, users can gain insights into their work patterns and make informed decisions about how to optimize their deep work sessions.\n\nWhat sets Targetify apart is its commitment to local-first architecture. All core focus metrics are stored locally in the user's browser storage, ensuring that there are zero mandatory account creations or cloud dependencies. This feature not only enhances user privacy but also guarantees that the extension remains fully functional even in offline scenarios.\n\nFor those interested in trying out Targetify, the extension can be accessed at https://targetify.app/. By automating the process of tracking deep work hours and providing insightful analytics, Targetify aims to help users maintain focus and optimize their productivity without succumbing to distractions.",
  "summary": "Targetify: An automated, local-first tab tracker with an on-site HUD Body: Context switching and manual timers kill the flow state. When you're deep in work, the last thing you want is toggling a stopwatch in another window every time you switch tasks. I built Targetify , a lightweight browser extension that automates tracking based on your active tabs. Core Architecture & Features: Selective Tab…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}