Standard vs Strict Aura

Understand the difference between Standard and Strict Aura boundaries — how each behaves and when to use it.

AuraLock offers two boundary strengths. Both keep the same apps outside your Aura. The difference is how easy it is to leave, pause, or change the boundary while a session runs. Read the quick comparison below, then the details for each.

Standard

Flexible focus for everyday use.

• Pause — take a break; the timer pauses and the boundary relaxes briefly
• Extend — add time freely if you are in flow
• End early — leave with a simple confirmation, no friction
• Change apps — adjust what stays alive mid-session

Best for daily work, study with breaks, and first-time users building the habit without pressure.

Strict

A commitment that holds until the Aura ends.

• No casual exit — the boundary cannot be dismissed with a simple tap
• Deliberate confirmation — leaving early requires a held, deliberate action
• Fewer mid-session changes — adjustments are confirmed and intentional
• Emergency exit — a genuine emergency release that is deliberate, not convenient

Best for deep work with deadlines, high-temptation moments, and building unbreakable focus habits.

Standard Aura

Standard Aura provides a flexible boundary. It is for everyday use when you want guidance without rigidity.

What Standard allows

• Pause — take a break; the timer pauses and the boundary relaxes briefly
• Extend — add time freely if you are in flow
• End early — leave with a simple confirmation
• Change apps — adjust what stays alive mid-session

When to use Standard

• Daily work sessions where real breaks are part of the plan
• Study blocks with scheduled breaks
• Reading or light administrative time
• First-time users building a habit without pressure

Strict Aura

Strict Aura is a stronger commitment. It is for moments when you need the firmest possible protection for your attention, and the boundary holds until the Aura ends.

What Strict provides

• No casual exit — the boundary cannot be dismissed with a simple tap
• Deliberate confirmation — leaving early requires a held, deliberate action
• Fewer mid-session changes — adjustments are confirmed and intentional
• Emergency exit — a genuine emergency release that is deliberate, not convenient

When to use Strict

• Deep work on critical projects with hard deadlines
• Times you know your phone will be most tempting
• Building focus habits, when you want a commitment you cannot talk yourself out of
• Long blocks such as exam prep or writing sessions

Quick comparison

• Pause — Standard: yes, freely; Strict: limited
• Extend time — Standard: yes; Strict: with confirmation
• End early — Standard: simple; Strict: deliberate emergency exit
• Change apps mid-session — Standard: freely; Strict: confirmed
• Best for — Standard: daily focus with breaks; Strict: deep commitment

How to choose

A useful rule of thumb is to use Standard when a real interruption would be fine, and Strict when giving up is not an option.

• Standard protects your time; Strict protects your decision.
• You can switch per session, so there is no need to commit to one mode permanently.
• Start with Standard for everyday use, and use Strict on days when you know distraction will be hardest.