PTK (Process-To-Kill)

| Overview | How to Run | Features | Software Architecture | Preview | What I Learned |

📝 Overview

This project is a desktop application built with Python & Tkinter that helps users limit the amount of time spent using specific programs.

It was originally created as a personal productivity tool to reduce gaming time and encourage better time management.

Users can either type a process name manually or select one through the built-in Browse feature. The application creates a countdown timer, sends notification reminders before the time expires, and automatically terminates the selected process when the timer reaches zero.

NOTE : Currently, the application has only been tested on Windows and must be run with administrator privileges in order to manage and terminate external processes.

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▶️ How to Run

1. Ensure you have Python installed.

2. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/erfaw/PTK
   

3. Make Virtual Environment:

   python -m venv .venv
   

   then on Git Bash:

   source ./.venv/Scripts/activate
   

4. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

5. Run :

   python main.py
   

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🌟 Features

• Set a custom time limit for any running application.
• Select a target program by entering its process name or using the Browse feature.
• Display a live countdown timer until the selected application is terminated.
• Send reminder notifications 15 minutes and 1.5 minutes before the time limit expires.
• Automatically terminate the target process when the timer reaches zero.
• Filter unrelated processes from the Browse list to simplify program selection.
• Designed and tested for Windows environments.
• Need administrator privileges for managing external processes.

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Software Architecture

I tried to project follows Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles and Separation of Concerns. Responsibilities are divided into dedicated Classes in separate modules:

• ProgramManager – Process discovery, management, and termination.
• Timer – Time calculations, formatting, and countdown management.
• Notification – User notification delivery.
• GUI – User interface, input handling, warnings, and timer visualization.

These components are orchestrated by main.py, which acts as the application's entry point.

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🖼️ Preview

Sample Notification

Sample Close MessageBox

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💡 What I Learned

• Building a desktop application with Tkinter for a real-world personal use case.
• Designing graphical user interfaces instead of relying solely on command-line applications.
• Working with the Tk/Tcl event loop and understanding how GUI applications handle user interactions and scheduled tasks.
• Managing and monitoring operating system processes programmatically.
• Implementing countdown timers and time-based automation workflows.
• Sending desktop notifications and integrating user reminders into applications.
• Setting custom application icons and improving the overall user experience.
• Applying Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles to structure a larger application.
• Practicing Separation of Concerns by distributing responsibilities across dedicated modules.
• Designing components that communicate with one another without relying on a single "God Object".
• Building a more maintainable and scalable codebase through modular architecture.
• Translating a personal productivity problem into a complete software solution.