The ADHD Browser Extension Starter Pack: Essential Tools
Patrick Bushe
August 8, 2025 · 5 min read
With ADHD, the browser is often where focus goes to die: one tab becomes twenty, ads and autoplay pull you away, and long articles lose you halfway. A handful of tools help. Start with two or three, not all of them, so the setup itself doesn't become a distraction.
1. Read one thing at a time
- ADHD Reading Focus narrows a page to one paragraph at a time. Move on with the arrow keys, adjust the font size, and toggle it with
Alt + R. It remembers your place on each page. - Reading Progress Bar adds a slim bar showing how far through a page you are, which makes long reads feel finite.
- Chrome's Reading mode strips a page to its text and has a read-aloud option, which helps when your eyes keep sliding off the page.
2. Block the sites that steal your time
A site blocker with schedules or daily limits is one of the most effective tools for ADHD. LeechBlock NG is free and flexible: block sites during work hours, after a time limit, or add a delay before a site opens. See extensions for reducing screen time.
3. Remove distractions on the page
- An ad blocker removes flashing ads and many pop-ups. Patrick Bushe's Ultimate Adblocker also hides cookie banners and pop-ups.
- Cookie Auto-Reject deals with cookie banners automatically, one less decision on every site.
- Turn off autoplay where sites allow it, and block notification requests in Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Notifications.
4. Tame your tabs
Tab overload is a classic ADHD trap. Patrick Bushe's Tab Manager puts idle tabs to sleep, finds any open tab with a search, and saves a window's tabs as a session you can reopen later, so closing them doesn't feel like losing them. Chrome's built-in tab groups help too: right-click a tab and choose Add tab to new group.
5. Capture thoughts without switching tasks
When an idea pops up mid-task, write it down and keep going. Sticky Notes Anywhere opens a notes panel with Ctrl + Shift + S and pins notes to the page you're on, so the thought is saved and you stay put.
6. Make screens easier at night
Late-night browsing is common with ADHD. Dark mode and warmer colors make it gentler, and a site blocker's evening schedule makes it shorter.
Keep the setup simple
- Add one tool a week and keep only what you actually use.
- Pin the ones you use most to the toolbar.
- Learn their keyboard shortcuts so using them doesn't break your flow. See extension shortcuts worth setting up.
