Community Guidelines

Refocus works because people show up for each other. When you book a session, someone else is planning their time around you. These guidelines describe what that looks like in practice, so every session feels safe, focused, and worth showing up for. They sit alongside our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The short version

• Show up on time, or let your partner know early if you can't.
• Say what you'll work on, then actually work on it.
• Be kind, keep it about focus, and respect people's privacy.
• If something feels wrong, block and report. We take it seriously.

During a session

Be on time

Join when the session starts. Your partner has set aside this time, and a late or missing partner makes the whole session harder. If your plans change, cancel as early as you can so your partner can be matched with someone else. Once a session with a partner has started, it can no longer be cancelled or left from your calendar, so please plan ahead.

Start with a goal

Take a moment at the start to share what you plan to get done, and check in briefly at the end. Saying it out loud is a big part of what makes body doubling work. Keep both short; the time in between is for working.

Keep your camera on and your space appropriate

Seeing each other work is what creates the accountability, so keep your camera on for the session unless you and your partner have agreed otherwise. Make sure what's on camera is something you'd be comfortable with in a shared library or co-working space: dress appropriately and keep your surroundings work-friendly.

Respect quiet mode and noise

Some people book quiet sessions and start muted. Follow their lead, keep your microphone muted while working if there's background noise, and save conversation for the start and end of the session.

Do focused work

Sessions are for work, study, or a personal project you want to make progress on. They're not for selling, recruiting, dating, or long social chats. If you'd like to get to know a regular partner better, add them as a friend and talk outside of sessions.

Respect and safety

Refocus is for everyone who wants to get things done, whatever their background. We don't allow:

• Harassment, threats, bullying, or intimidation of any kind.
• Hate speech or discrimination based on who someone is.
• Sexual content, sexual comments, or unwanted advances, in sessions, chat, or posts.
• Violent, graphic, or illegal content.
• Impersonating someone else or misrepresenting who you are.
• Spam, scams, advertising, or repeatedly promoting your own products or services.

Privacy

• Don't record, screenshot, or share sessions without your partner's clear permission.
• Don't ask for or share personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or financial details.
• What your partner says or shows during a session stays in that session.

Friends, chat, and community posts

The same standards apply everywhere on Refocus, not just in sessions.

• Only send friend and session requests to people you'd like to work with, and accept a "no" or no reply gracefully.
• In the community feed, share progress, wins, questions, and encouragement. Keep posts on topic: focus, study, work, goals, and habits.
• Disagree respectfully. Criticise ideas, not people, and don't pile on.
• Don't post private messages or other people's information.

Looking after yourself

Refocus is a productivity tool, not a substitute for professional support. If you're struggling with your mental health or feel unsafe, please reach out to a local helpline or emergency service. If a partner says something that makes you worried for their safety, tell us at [email protected].

Blocking and reporting

If someone makes you uncomfortable, you don't need to explain yourself.

• Leave the call at any point if you feel unsafe. Your safety matters more than finishing the session.
• Block the person, so you won't be matched with them or hear from them again.
• Report the person, post, or comment from the product. Reports go to the Refocus team and are kept private.
• For anything you can't report in the product, email [email protected].

What happens when guidelines are broken

We review reports and act based on how serious the issue is and whether it has happened before. Depending on the situation, we may:

• Remove the content.
• Send a warning.
• Temporarily mute someone in the community.
• Ban someone from the community, or from booking sessions.
• Close the account permanently.

Serious harm, such as threats, sexual misconduct, or exploitation, can lead to an immediate permanent ban. Repeatedly not showing up for booked sessions can also limit how many sessions you can book.

Questions

These guidelines will evolve as the community grows. If you have a question or a suggestion, write to us at [email protected].