Setting Up Your Perfect Eye Health Routine with LookOut

Getting Started with LookOut

You've decided to take control of your eye health—great choice! This guide will walk you through setting up LookOut to match your unique workflow and preferences.

Step 1: Installation and First Launch

After downloading LookOut for macOS, drag it to your Applications folder and launch it. LookOut will appear in your menubar and walk you through initial setup. Grant the necessary permissions for features like detecting idle time and managing Do Not Disturb.

Step 2: Choose Your Mode

LookOut offers three modes to match your work style:

• Casual Mode: Skip breaks whenever you need to. Perfect if you're just starting out.
• Balanced Mode: Limited skipping to encourage healthy habits while offering flexibility.
• Hardcore Mode: No skipping allowed. Maximum eye protection for serious commitment.

Most users start with Casual Mode and graduate to Balanced after a week or two.

Step 3: Configure Your Schedule

Set your office hours so LookOut only reminds you during work time. Working 9-5? Set that schedule. Night owl who codes until 2 AM? LookOut adapts to your schedule.

You can also configure pre-break notifications. Get a gentle heads-up 30 seconds before a break so you can finish your current thought.

Step 4: Customize Your Break Experience

Make breaks enjoyable:

• Choose from beautiful gradient overlays or upload your own calming images
• Add custom motivational messages
• Select pleasant alert sounds (or go silent)
• Enable multi-monitor support if you use multiple displays

Step 5: Advanced Features

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore advanced features:

• Blink Reminders: Gentle prompts to blink more frequently
• Posture Check-ins: Reminders to check and correct your posture
• Overtime Alerts: Warnings when you've been working too long

Step 6: Set Up Automations

LookOut integrates with AppleScript and Shortcuts. Here are some popular automations:

• Pause your music during breaks for a moment of silence
• Update your Slack status to "Taking a break"
• Enable Do Not Disturb mode during breaks
• Log your breaks to a health tracking app

Pro Tips for Success

After helping hundreds of users set up LookOut, here's what works best:

• Start with the default 20-20-20 timing. You can adjust later if needed.
• Don't skip breaks for the first week. Build the habit first.
• Use breaks to stand up and move, not just look away.
• If you wear glasses, take them off during breaks for extra relief.

Your Journey Starts Now

Remember, building healthy screen habits is a marathon, not a sprint. Give yourself a week to adjust. Soon, taking breaks will feel as natural as checking your email.