ScreenGuard

Spec sheet

Purpose

ScreenGuard provides parental controls for Linux, with screen-time schedules and daily limits enforced by an agent that can lock sessions.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Deployment

ScreenGuard can be self-hosted on a LAN or used with a hosted cloud account; the project says LAN use works offline without cloud access.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Free plan

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

License

The repository README identifies the project license as GPL-3.0.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Activity reports

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Administration

Administrators manage profiles and devices through a web UI or REST API.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Agent permissions

The README says the server cannot run arbitrary commands, read files, or open a shell on the agent, but it can request a privileged agent update from GitHub releases.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Cloud status

The README describes the hosted service as young and says its endpoint and enrollment flow may change.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Content filtering

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Data collected

The agent reports machine and local account identifiers, active-time and usage totals, idle status, and open-session counts; the README says it does not send window titles, application names, keystrokes, screenshots, or file contents.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Data collection

The README says the agent reports machine and user identifiers, active-time totals, idle status, session counts, and daily usage, but not window titles, app names, keystrokes, screenshots, or file contents.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Database options

The server uses SQLite by default and can be configured to use PostgreSQL.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Discovery

Agents can discover a server automatically on the local network using mDNS.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Enforcement

A systemd agent enforces limits and can lock graphical sessions when time runs out.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Hosted option

The README describes hosted cloud accounts for managing machines without running a server, with device approval and account-specific profiles, devices, and usage history.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Mobile app

A companion Android app manages profiles, devices, schedules, and daily limits through the same REST API as the web UI.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Network behavior

Agents initiate outbound connections, and cloud mode uses a TLS-protected WebSocket; LAN discovery uses mDNS.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Network security

The agent always initiates connections, and the README says cloud connections use a TLS-protected WebSocket.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Notifications

The agent can warn users 15, 10, 5, and 1 minute before lockout, and administrators can send desktop messages.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Offline and hosting

The project says it works offline and can be self-hosted without requiring cloud service.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Remote control

The documented server messages include configuration updates, lock and notification actions, log retrieval, and a privileged agent update; the README says there is no message for arbitrary commands, file reads, or shell access.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Requirements

Managed machines require Linux with systemd, an x86_64 or aarch64 CPU, and a graphical session manager supporting loginctl terminate-session.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Schedule controls

Each user profile can have daily time limits and weekly schedules.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Schedules

Administrators can set daily time limits and weekly schedules per profile.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Screen-time schedules

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Session handling

When time runs out, ScreenGuard can lock graphical sessions, with an optional mode that preserves running applications and unsaved work.Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• Parental control apps#70 of 1077.5