Unstuck is a web and menu bar app that ends ADHD waiting mode by detecting the open gap before your next meeting, scoring which of your tasks actually fit in that time, and firing hard-stop alerts so you never run late.
What is Unstuck?
Unstuck (WaitingMode.app) is an ADHD productivity app built specifically for waiting mode — the pre-appointment paralysis where a commitment later makes it impossible to start anything now. It connects to Google Calendar with read-only access, detects the free gap before your next event, scores your existing tasks for fit, and sends hard-stop reminders at T-15 and T-5 minutes. It runs as a web app and a menu bar app, and it works with any task list — paste from Todoist, Linear, Notion, Asana, Things 3, Obsidian, Trello, or just type.
What makes Unstuck stand out?
- Gap detection — Reads your Google Calendar (read-only) and finds open windows before your next meeting, showing exactly how many minutes are available.
- Safe-to-start task scoring — Scores each task against the real gap size and your energy level, labeling it "safe to start" or "won't fit" with an estimated duration.
- Hard-stop alerts at T-15 and T-5 — Fires notifications 15 and 5 minutes before your next event so you stop in time; Pro adds custom timing and Slack/Discord alerts.
- Energy-aware task matching — Matches tasks to your current energy and the gap size, so you never start something that doesn't fit.
- Task-list agnostic — Imports from Todoist, Linear, Notion, Asana, Things 3, Obsidian, Trello, or plain text, so you keep your existing to-do system.
- Free core loop — Unlimited gap detection, scoring, and hard stops are free forever; Pro adds the autopilot layer.
- Autopilot (Pro) — Gap Autopilot pushes a notification the moment a gap opens with a task already chosen; Decide-for-me starts the best task with one tap; Morning Kickoff delivers your day's plan before you open the app.
Who should use Unstuck?
People with ADHD who lose hours to waiting mode — the paralysis before a meeting — will benefit most. Freelancers, parents, and students with patchy schedules can also reclaim fragmented time. ADHD coaches can use the Coach Dashboard to monitor client progress, send nudges, and keep session notes.
What can you do with Unstuck?
- Pre-meeting paralysis: See an open 47-minute gap before a 1:1, get a scored list of tasks that fit, start one, and receive a T-15 alert to wrap up cleanly.
- Freelance schedule gaps: Unstuck detects a free morning block before a 2pm call and suggests a 45-minute task, turning waiting time into productive time.
- ADHD coaching: Use the Coach Dashboard to view client progress, broadcast a nudge to every client, and keep private session notes.
How does Unstuck work?
Connect your Google Calendar (read-only), and Unstuck finds the gaps before your next events. It scores your tasks against each gap's size and your energy level, then shows you the best fit. You start the task, and a hard-stop reminder fires at T-15 and T-5 so you land clean.
Pricing
Freemium — Free forever plan includes unlimited gap detection, full safe-to-start scoring, energy-aware task matching, T-15/T-5 hard stops, templates, and pattern insights. Pro tier ($9.99/month or $79.99/year) adds autopilot features like Gap Autopilot, Decide-for-me, Morning Kickoff, Today's Plan, a weekly recovery goal, and more. ADHD coaches can access a Coach Dashboard at $29/month.
Alternatives
- Todoist — stores tasks on a list; doesn't look at your calendar gaps.
- Motion — auto-schedules your whole day; doesn't give a trusted hard stop.
- Reclaim.ai — auto-schedules your time, but doesn't focus on waiting mode.
- Focusmate — provides a body-double for focused sessions, but doesn't detect calendar gaps.
- Goblin Tools — breaks tasks into smaller steps, but doesn't handle calendar gaps or hard stops.
FAQ
What is waiting mode in ADHD?
Waiting mode is the common ADHD experience where having a commitment later in the day makes it hard to start anything beforehand. The brain locks onto the upcoming event and watches the clock, so hours disappear before the commitment arrives.
Is there an app for ADHD waiting mode?
Yes — Unstuck is built specifically for waiting mode. It connects to Google Calendar (read-only), detects the gap before your next commitment, tells you which tasks are safe to start, and sends hard-stop reminders at T-15 and T-5.
Does Unstuck change or write to my calendar?
No. Unstuck uses read-only Google Calendar access. It reads your upcoming events to find gaps and never creates, edits, deletes, or shares anything on your calendar.
How does Unstuck compare to Todoist or Motion?
Unstuck is the "what can I start right now, before my next thing?" layer. Todoist stores tasks; Motion auto-schedules your whole day. Unstuck reads your calendar gap, scores which task safely fits it, and makes sure you stop in time.
How much does Unstuck cost?
The core loop is free forever — unlimited gap detection, full safe-to-start scorer, T-15 and T-5 hard stops, energy matching, templates, and pattern insights. Pro at $9.99/month or $79.99/year adds autopilot features. A Coach Dashboard is available at $29/month.
