In a world of notification overload and digital noise, I built VeryClear ? an iOS app designed to do the opposite of what most apps do. Instead of capturing attention, it returns it.
The Anti-Engagement App
Most apps are designed to maximize engagement. More time on app, more notifications, more features. VeryClear takes the opposite approach: success is measured by how quickly you can set your intention and put your phone down.
This philosophy shaped every design decision. No gamification. No streaks. No social features. Just tools that help you focus.
Why SwiftUI in 2026
VeryClear is built entirely in Swift and SwiftUI. After years of UIKit, making the switch felt like a breath of fresh air.
The declarative approach made iterating on the minimal UI much faster. State management with Combine kept the data flow clean. And the deep integration with iOS features (widgets, focus modes, shortcuts) made the app feel native in a way that cross-platform solutions never quite achieve.
Key Technical Decisions
Local-First Architecture
All data stays on-device by default. Core Data handles persistence, with optional CloudKit sync for users who want it. No analytics SDKs, no tracking, no data collection.
This wasn't just a privacy decision ? it's core to the app's purpose. A clarity app shouldn't be watching you.
WidgetKit Integration
The home screen widgets were crucial. Users shouldn't need to open the app to see their intention for the day. Timeline providers keep the widgets updated without draining battery.
App Intents for Shortcuts
Siri integration lets users activate focus modes by voice. "Hey Siri, I need to focus" triggers the appropriate mode without touching the phone.
The Hardest Part: Saying No
Every week brought ideas for new features. Progress tracking. Habit building. Social accountability. All reasonable ideas that would have made VeryClear just another productivity app.
The discipline to say no ? repeatedly ? was essential to maintaining the app's core promise of simplicity.
Measuring Success Differently
Traditional app metrics don't work for an anti-engagement app. High DAU and long session times would mean failure, not success.
Instead, we track:
- Time to intention ? How quickly can users set their focus and close the app?
- Widget interactions ? Are users getting value without opening the app?
- User-reported clarity ? Simple surveys about mental state improvements
- Retention without engagement ? Do users keep the app installed even with low usage?
Lessons for iOS Developers
1. SwiftUI is Production-Ready
The early days of SwiftUI jank are behind us. For new iOS projects, there's little reason to reach for UIKit except for very specific use cases.
2. Widgets Drive Engagement (Ironically)
The home screen widgets became the primary interface for many users. Invest in them.
3. Minimalism is Hard
Adding features is easy. Removing them ? or not adding them in the first place ? requires constant discipline.
What's Next
VeryClear continues to evolve, but always in service of its core mission: less time on phone, more time in life.
Check out the full case study for technical details and architecture decisions.