DobdobThe problem with failing quietly
Most habit trackers are lovely. Satisfying ticks, nice colours, a streak counter. And when you miss a day, nothing happens. The streak resets, you feel a bit flat, and you either start again or, more often, quietly stop opening the app.
A tracker only records what you did. It has no say in whether you do it. If the only person who knows you skipped is you, it's very easy to let it slide.
What "consequences" means in Dobdob
Dobdob doesn't take your money and it doesn't lock your phone. The consequence is social: a real person, who agreed to it, finds out.
- Make the habit a promisePick what, which days, and a deadline. Read 10 pages by 10pm. No sugar today. Up by 7.
- Pick who finds outYour snitch says yes first, and only sees the promise they're snitching on.
- Prove it each dayA tap, a photo, being somewhere, a screenshot, or Apple Health and Health Connect.
- Miss it and they knowThe flop lands in their Snitching inbox with a line from Dobdob. Board habits go to the whole board.
There's more riding on it than one message, too. Your level and title are visible to your mates, from Sofa Dweller up to Actual Legend. Boards have a weekly table, worst first, and a Flop of the Week. Keep promises and you level up, and unlock outfits for Dobdob.
A streak counter won't tell your sister. I will.
Habits that work well with Dobdob
- Read 10 pages before bed, proved with a photo of the page.
- Gym by 7pm on set days, proved by being there.
- Up by 7, proved with a tap before the deadline.
- 10,000 steps, proved by Apple Health or Health Connect.
- Revise for an hour, proved with a screenshot of your timer.
- Text Nan back. You know who you are.
Consequences, not cruelty
A good consequence makes you want to avoid it. It shouldn't make you miserable. So your snitch has to say yes before they hear anything, and can stop any time. For something personal, switch on Go easy: Dobdob uses kind words, no jokes. Going away? Pause a promise for up to 7 days or use Holiday mode. Flopped but actually did it? Appeal it.
Streaks still count
Dobdob keeps your streak too, with a flame and everything. It just doesn't rely on it. We think streaks are great for getting started and terrible on their own: here's why streaks alone don't work. For the bigger picture, see what an accountability app should do.
Questions
Will a habit tracker with consequences cost me money?
Not with Dobdob. There's no money at stake for a flop. Dobdob is free to use, and Supergrass, the paid tier, is optional.
Is there a habit app that tells your friends?
Yes, that's exactly what Dobdob does. Miss a promise and the friend you picked gets told, in the app. Board promises go to everyone on the board.
What counts as proof?
A tap, a photo, being at a place, a screenshot, or Apple Health and Health Connect. You choose when you make the promise.
Can I take a break from a habit?
Yes. Pause a promise for up to 7 days, or use Holiday mode to pause everything at once.
What if the habit is private?
Only the snitch you pick for that promise sees it. Switch on Go easy and Dobdob's messages are kind, with no jokes.