Legal

Terms of Service

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Agreement

By downloading, installing, or using ColdWork ("the App"), you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the App. These Terms apply to the ColdWork desktop application, Android mobile application, browser extension, and website.

What ColdWork Is

ColdWork is a focus tool that blocks distracting websites and applications during self-directed focus sessions. It is designed for coders, students, and anyone who wants to reduce digital distractions while working or studying. ColdWork offers a Free plan with core blocking, plus paid Pro and Lifetime plans that unlock advanced blocking and enforcement. See the Payments and Billing section below.

ColdWork is distributed as:

  • Windows desktop application: a downloadable .exe installer
  • Android mobile application: a direct APK download (not distributed through the Google Play Store). Installing it requires enabling "Install from unknown sources" in your Android device settings, which is standard for apps distributed outside the Play Store.
  • Website: the marketing and web dashboard at cold-work.vercel.app

The Windows app modifies your system's hosts file and may terminate processes you have explicitly added to your blocklist. The Android app uses device permissions to detect and block distracting apps and websites. These actions are temporary, reversible, and only occur during active focus sessions.

Eligibility

There are no age restrictions for using ColdWork. However, if you are under 18, we recommend informing a parent or guardian that the App modifies system-level settings (the hosts file) during focus sessions.

License

ColdWork is provided under a personal use license. The Free plan is available at no cost. Pro and Lifetime are paid plans, described in the Payments and Billing section below. You may not copy, modify, redistribute, or create derivative works from the App without prior written permission from caparim.

Acceptable Use

You agree to use ColdWork only for its intended purpose. You may not:

  • Use the App to interfere with other users' devices or networks
  • Redistribute a modified version of the App under the ColdWork name without permission
  • Use the App in any way that violates applicable local, state, national, or international law
  • Attempt to reverse-engineer the background service for purposes other than security research

System Modifications

Windows desktop app: ColdWork makes the following temporary, reversible changes to your system during focus sessions:

  • Hosts file: adds entries to redirect blocked domains to 127.0.0.1. These entries are clearly marked between # ColdWork-START and # ColdWork-END comments and are removed when the session ends or the App quits.
  • Process termination: closes applications you have explicitly added to your blocklist using the standard Windows taskkill command.
  • Background service: an optional elevated service that handles hosts file writes. It listens only on 127.0.0.1 and accepts commands exclusively from the ColdWork app.

Android mobile app: ColdWork requests the following Android permissions to enable blocking during focus sessions:

  • Usage Access: detects which app is currently in the foreground so ColdWork can show a blocking overlay when a restricted app is opened.
  • Display Over Other Apps: displays a blocking screen over restricted apps while a session is active.
  • Internet: intercepts network requests to blocked websites during an active session.

By using the App, you acknowledge and consent to these system-level modifications. All changes are fully reversible by ending your session or uninstalling the App.

Android APK Installation

The ColdWork Android app is distributed as a direct APK download and is not available through the Google Play Store. To install it, you must enable "Install from unknown sources" (or "Install unknown apps") in your Android device settings. This is a standard Android security setting for apps distributed outside the Play Store.

By installing the APK, you acknowledge that:

  • You are installing software that has not been reviewed or verified by Google
  • You take responsibility for enabling sideloading on your device
  • caparim is not responsible for any issues arising from your device's security settings or Android version compatibility

The APK is built from the same source code that will be submitted to the Play Store in the future. It is not modified, unsigned, or otherwise different from a Play Store release.

Strict Mode

ColdWork includes a Strict Mode feature that prevents you from ending a focus session early. When Strict Mode is active:

  • You cannot end the session until the timer reaches zero
  • You cannot quit the App or modify your blocklist
  • Blocked websites and apps remain blocked for the full duration

By activating Strict Mode, you acknowledge that you are voluntarily restricting your own access to certain applications and websites for the duration you selected. This is by design and is not a malfunction.

Browser Extension

The ColdWork browser extension is an optional companion to the desktop app. It communicates exclusively with the local desktop app via localhostand does not transmit data to external servers. The extension is subject to the additional terms of your browser's extension platform (e.g., Chrome Web Store policies).

Payments and Billing

The Free plan costs nothing and needs no card. Every account can also run ColdWork Pro free for 7 days. The trial takes no card and no PayPal account, and it ends by itself.

Paid plans unlock the advanced features:

  • Pro: a subscription billed $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year. It renews automatically at the same price until you cancel.
  • Lifetime: a one time payment of $49.99, with no recurring charge.

Payments are processed through PayPal, and all prices are in US dollars. You can cancel Pro at any time from your PayPal account. Cancelling stops future renewals, and you keep Pro until the end of the period you already paid for.

No Warranty

ColdWork is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Fitness for a particular purpose
  • Uninterrupted or error-free operation
  • Compatibility with all systems or configurations
  • That blocked content will be inaccessible under all circumstances

caparim does not guarantee that the App will successfully block all distractions in every scenario. Technically savvy users may be able to circumvent blocking; this is expected and not a defect.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, caparim shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

  • Loss of data or productivity
  • System configuration issues caused by improper use
  • Inability to access websites or applications during or after a session
  • Any damages arising from the use or inability to use the App

The total liability of caparim is limited to zero dollars ($0.00).

Updates and Changes

caparim may update the App, website, or these Terms at any time. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. Major changes will be noted with an updated "Last updated" date on this page.

Termination

You may stop using ColdWork at any time by uninstalling the App and removing the browser extension. Upon uninstallation, all locally stored data is removed and no residual system modifications remain.

Transparency

ColdWork is built with transparency in mind. If you have questions about how the App works or want to report a security concern, contact caparim directly.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which caparim resides, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms will be resolved informally by contacting caparim before pursuing legal action.

Contact

If you have questions about these Terms, contact caparim at:

business694200969@gmail.com