Anchor is a cross-platform desktop application (macOS and Windows) designed for real-time, privacy-first focus tracking. By leveraging gaze detection and screen context, it helps users stay on task while providing session-level analytics, feature gating, and subscription-based access to premium functionality.

Project Details

Anchor uses gaze estimation and screen activity monitoring to determine user attention. If a user looks away from the screen or engages with unrelated applications, Anchor triggers custom in-app notifications. All data is stored locally during a session, and cloud sync occurs at session end, preserving user privacy.

The architecture separates system-level tasks (handled in Rust) from UI logic (React/TypeScript), connected through Tauri's secure bridge. A robust state layer built with Zustand ensures synchronized behavior between gaze tracking, screen awareness, and UI feedback.

Technologies Used

• Tauri – Desktop shell with Rust backend + WebView frontend
• Rust – Gaze detection, screen tracking, session logic
• React (TypeScript) – Frontend UI
• TailwindCSS – UI styling
• Zustand – State management
• Radix UI – Headless component primitives
• Framer Motion – UI animation and transitions
• SQLite – Local storage for sessions and analytics
• Supabase – User authentication, cloud sync, profile data
• Stripe – Subscription payments, billing portal
• Sentry – Optional error/crash monitoring (Rust + React)

Focus Tracking

• MediaPipe (C++ or WASM) – Real-time gaze estimation
• Rust subprocess/plugin – Bridges MediaPipe with UI state

Screen Monitoring

• macOS: CGWindowListCopyWindowInfo
• Windows: GetForegroundWindow, EnumWindows

Authentication & Licensing

• Supabase Auth – Sign-in and role management
• Stripe Webhooks – Updates subscription roles
• Offline License Token – Optional for local-only usage

Payments

• Stripe Checkout – Subscription purchases
• Stripe Billing Portal – User-managed billing

Analytics

• SQLite – Tracks session duration, distractions, productivity blocks
• React Dashboard – In-app visualization (no 3rd-party tracking)

Build & Deployment

• GitHub Actions – CI/CD for building macOS & Windows binaries
• Tauri Updater – Auto-updates via GitHub Releases
• Code Signing – Apple Developer ID, optional Windows EV Cert

Outcome

Anchor demonstrates how privacy-first apps can deliver real-time behavioral insight without compromising user data. Its offline-first architecture, advanced native integrations, and clean UI make it ideal for individual users, educators, and focus-driven professionals.