Whitelist-only mode

Alternative title: How do I use Plucky to block everything except for the stuff I want?

This page is for setting up a permanent whitelist-only mode. If you only want it temporarily such as for studying, see focus.

What is whitelist-only mode?

A whitelist is a list of things which are allowed by Plucky (or any filter), as opposed to a blacklist which is a list of things that the user wants to be blocked by the filter.

In a typical filter setup, the blacklist is user-defined and whatever is undefined lands in the whitelist by default.

Whitelist-only mode inverts that setup so that the whitelist is user-defined and anything undefined is automatically blacklisted.

This filtering method might be used for children who are only allowed very restrictive Internet access, or by adults who embrace the philosophies of digital minimalism and intentional technology use.

But if you need an explanation of who whitelist-only mode is for, it’s probably not for you. Instead you may be looking for a more standard approach such as classic or wimpy.

Desktop versus browser filtering

When the system feature is enabled Plucky can filter both the desktop as well as the web browser.

When considering a whitelist-only approach, one must consider whether this should apply to both desktop and web browser, or web browser only.

It’s also worth remembering that Plucky is a network filter, not an app locker. Blocking a website means it can’t open, but blocking a program doesn’t prevent it from opening–only from accessing the Internet.

How to block only the browser

There are several options here. Each method may carry its own nuances–pick the one that makes the most sense to you.

block by program

pluck + block program:msedge.exe    ## block Edge on Windows
pluck + block program:brave browser ## block Brave on macOS

Blocking a web browser with a block program rule means Plucky will filter anything inside the browser that isn’t whitelisted. If you have multiple browsers you’ll need to make a rule for each one.

block by media type

pluck + block text/html  ## block any HTML page (most webpages)
pluck + block text/      ## block any text content including scripts

Blocking by media type is browser-agnostic, meaning one rule will work in all browsers. A downside of the ‘block program’ method is it only applies to the named browsers, ie. block program:chrome.exe only blocks Chrome and doesn’t block Brave. But block text/html works in every browser.

How to block only the desktop

nhb

pluck + nhb

nhb blocks any programs that aren’t whitelisted. Sometimes Plucky allows certain system processes for the sake of sanity, but the user’s own installed programs should always be blocked by nhb.

How to block both desktop and browser

block otherwise

pluck + block otherwise

The true digital minimalist rule.

block otherwise is a special rule which is made for the whitelist-only approach. If you intend to put the entire PC in whitelist-only mode then block otherwise is the way to do it.