Email extension that hides your inbox by default so you can send and search without getting pulled into new mail.
Inbox When Ready hides your inbox until you're ready to deal with it.
You check email too often and want to stop reacting to every notification.
Anyone aiming for deep work by batching emails without quitting Gmail
Annual pricing
€
48
Monthly starting at
€
4
Check email without seeing new messages right away.
Reduce context switching and regain focus.
Schedule protected focus time in Gmail.
Looking for other options? These are tools I've personally used with clients or tested extensively. Some might better suit your budget, tech stack, or team size. Consider this a shortlist if you need alternatives.
Email assistant that filters noise and adds reminders so important mail surfaces when needed.
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Open source automation with nodes and self hosting, ideal when you need flexibility and privacy with strong workflows.
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Inbox When Ready is a browser extension that works with Gmail (Google Workspace). It’s available for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browsers. Installation is straightforward just add the extension from the Chrome Web Store or your browser’s add-on marketplace and refresh Gmail. The extension’s icon will appear in Gmail’s interface, and by default it hides your inbox messages. (Note: If your organisation uses Outlook or another email client, this tool won’t apply. The Outlook version of Inbox When Ready was discontinued due to limited demand, so Gmail is the primary use case.) After installing, spend a few minutes in the Settings to configure your preferences such as the lockout schedule and inbox check budget.
When the extension is active, your Gmail inbox is hidden by default until you choose to reveal it. You’ll still see Gmail’s menu and labels, but instead of email threads there’s a blank panel or a friendly message prompting you to “Show Inbox.” This means you can compose new emails or search your mail archive without glimpsing any new incoming messages. The core idea is that you only see your inbox when you intentionally press that Show Inbox button. By keeping emails out of sight, you won’t be pulled off course by whatever is sitting in your inbox.
Inbox When Ready offers a few simple features to help you enforce this discipline. First, you can hide or reveal the inbox on demand with the toggle button. Second, you can set an auto-hide timer for example, you might allow yourself to check email, but after 10 minutes the inbox will hide itself again, nudging you back to work. Third, it lets you define an “inbox lockout schedule.” This is a timetable of hours when the inbox stays locked (e.g. you might lock it out every day before 11am to keep your mornings free for deep work). During those hours, clicking “Show Inbox” simply won’t do anything, removing the temptation entirely. Finally, you can establish an inbox budget a limit on how many times (or how long) you want to check email per day. The extension will track your inbox opens and time spent, giving you gentle feedback against your target. All of these features are configurable in a minimalist options menu. Notably, if you use Gmail’s category tabs (Promotions, Social, etc.), the Pro edition can hide those unread counts as well, ensuring nothing red or bold on the screen beckons your attention.
Using Inbox When Ready effectively requires pairing the tool with smart habits. Here are some tactical tips for getting the most out of it:
My personal notes on how to use this tool.
Inbox When Ready is a browser extension that works with Gmail (Google Workspace). It’s available for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browsers. Installation is straightforward just add the extension from the Chrome Web Store or your browser’s add-on marketplace and refresh Gmail. The extension’s icon will appear in Gmail’s interface, and by default it hides your inbox messages. (Note: If your organisation uses Outlook or another email client, this tool won’t apply. The Outlook version of Inbox When Ready was discontinued due to limited demand, so Gmail is the primary use case.) After installing, spend a few minutes in the Settings to configure your preferences such as the lockout schedule and inbox check budget.
When the extension is active, your Gmail inbox is hidden by default until you choose to reveal it. You’ll still see Gmail’s menu and labels, but instead of email threads there’s a blank panel or a friendly message prompting you to “Show Inbox.” This means you can compose new emails or search your mail archive without glimpsing any new incoming messages. The core idea is that you only see your inbox when you intentionally press that Show Inbox button. By keeping emails out of sight, you won’t be pulled off course by whatever is sitting in your inbox.
Inbox When Ready offers a few simple features to help you enforce this discipline. First, you can hide or reveal the inbox on demand with the toggle button. Second, you can set an auto-hide timer for example, you might allow yourself to check email, but after 10 minutes the inbox will hide itself again, nudging you back to work. Third, it lets you define an “inbox lockout schedule.” This is a timetable of hours when the inbox stays locked (e.g. you might lock it out every day before 11am to keep your mornings free for deep work). During those hours, clicking “Show Inbox” simply won’t do anything, removing the temptation entirely. Finally, you can establish an inbox budget a limit on how many times (or how long) you want to check email per day. The extension will track your inbox opens and time spent, giving you gentle feedback against your target. All of these features are configurable in a minimalist options menu. Notably, if you use Gmail’s category tabs (Promotions, Social, etc.), the Pro edition can hide those unread counts as well, ensuring nothing red or bold on the screen beckons your attention.
Using Inbox When Ready effectively requires pairing the tool with smart habits. Here are some tactical tips for getting the most out of it:
Inbox When Ready is a browser extension that works with Gmail (Google Workspace). It’s available for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browsers. Installation is straightforward just add the extension from the Chrome Web Store or your browser’s add-on marketplace and refresh Gmail. The extension’s icon will appear in Gmail’s interface, and by default it hides your inbox messages. (Note: If your organisation uses Outlook or another email client, this tool won’t apply. The Outlook version of Inbox When Ready was discontinued due to limited demand, so Gmail is the primary use case.) After installing, spend a few minutes in the Settings to configure your preferences such as the lockout schedule and inbox check budget.
When the extension is active, your Gmail inbox is hidden by default until you choose to reveal it. You’ll still see Gmail’s menu and labels, but instead of email threads there’s a blank panel or a friendly message prompting you to “Show Inbox.” This means you can compose new emails or search your mail archive without glimpsing any new incoming messages. The core idea is that you only see your inbox when you intentionally press that Show Inbox button. By keeping emails out of sight, you won’t be pulled off course by whatever is sitting in your inbox.
Inbox When Ready offers a few simple features to help you enforce this discipline. First, you can hide or reveal the inbox on demand with the toggle button. Second, you can set an auto-hide timer for example, you might allow yourself to check email, but after 10 minutes the inbox will hide itself again, nudging you back to work. Third, it lets you define an “inbox lockout schedule.” This is a timetable of hours when the inbox stays locked (e.g. you might lock it out every day before 11am to keep your mornings free for deep work). During those hours, clicking “Show Inbox” simply won’t do anything, removing the temptation entirely. Finally, you can establish an inbox budget a limit on how many times (or how long) you want to check email per day. The extension will track your inbox opens and time spent, giving you gentle feedback against your target. All of these features are configurable in a minimalist options menu. Notably, if you use Gmail’s category tabs (Promotions, Social, etc.), the Pro edition can hide those unread counts as well, ensuring nothing red or bold on the screen beckons your attention.
Using Inbox When Ready effectively requires pairing the tool with smart habits. Here are some tactical tips for getting the most out of it:
This tool is part of tactical playbooks that walk you through every stage of this engine. Read the full guides to learn how to implement the framework, set up your infrastructure, and execute the tactics that drive results.
Take control of your week. Use habits and systems to focus on work that actually moves the needle. Add a quick daily review so important tasks get done without burnout.
See playbook
Key concepts and frameworks explained clearly. Quick reference when you need to understand a term, refresh your knowledge, or share with your team.
Topic
Playbook
Systematically rank projects and opportunities using objective frameworks, ensuring scarce resources flow to highest-impact work.
Topic
Playbook
Block extended time for cognitively demanding tasks requiring sustained focus, maximising valuable output whilst minimising shallow distractions.
Topic
Playbook
Clear mental clutter by transferring all thoughts, tasks, and ideas onto paper or screen, creating space for focused work.
Topic
Playbook
Navigate competing priorities and secure buy-in by systematically understanding, influencing, and aligning internal decision-makers toward shared goals.
Topic
Playbook
Focus effort on the 20% of activities that drive 80% of results, systematically eliminating low-yield work to maximise output per hour invested.
Topic
Playbook
Prioritise tasks systematically by sorting them into urgent-important quadrants, focusing effort on high-impact activities.
Most B2B marketers are either Random Ricks (trying everything) or Specialist Steves (obsessed with one channel). Generalists run tactics without strategy. Specialists hit channel ceilings. But there's a better way.
Tries everything at once. Posts on LinkedIn, runs ads, tweaks the website, chases referrals. Nothing compounds because nothing's consistent. Growth feels chaotic.
Obsessed with one tactic. 'We just need better ads' or 'SEO will fix everything.' Ignores the rest of the system. One strong engine can't carry a broken machine.
Finds the bottleneck. Fixes that first. Then moves to the next weakest link. Builds a system that's predictable, measurable and doesn't need 80-hour weeks.
Learn how she diagnoses bottlenecks, orchestrates the four engines, and drives predictable growth. Choose if you want to read or watch:
Get practical frameworks delivered daily. Seven short emails explain how Sarah diagnoses bottlenecks, orchestrates the four engines, and builds systems that compound.
Free 45-minute video module from the full course. Watch how to diagnose your growth bottleneck and see exactly what the course platform looks like.
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