The Ruler

Ever arrived home to find your PC occupied at inconvenient hours? Meet The Ruler - a lightweight Python application that automatically locks your computer at specified times, ensuring you maintain control over your PC usage schedule.

🚀 Features

• 🔒 Automatic computer locking at configurable times
• 📅 Weekday-only operation (automatically disables on weekends)
• 💪 Persistence across system restarts
• 🎯 Minimal resource usage
• ⚡ Quick and easy setup

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💽 Installation

1⃣ Clone this repository

git clone https://github.com/SamuelAMT/the-ruler
cd the-ruler

2⃣ Create a virtual environment (recommended)

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: .\venv\Scripts\activate

3⃣ Install dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

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🚦 Basic Usage

Start the application:

start_ruler.bat

• The application will run in the background and lock your computer at the specified time (default: 15:25) on weekdays.
• To unlock, enter the password (default: "youaskedforit").
• To stop the application:

python the-ruler-killer.py youaskedforit

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⚙️ Advanced Configuration

⏰ Custom Lock Time

Modify lock_hour and lock_minute in the-ruler.py:

lock_hour = 15
lock_minute = 25

🔐 Secure Password Storage

By default, the password is stored in plain text for ease of use. However, you can use an environment variable for better security:

import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()

class TimeLock:
    def __init__(self):
        self.password = os.getenv('RULER_PASSWORD', 'default_password')

Create a .env file:

RULER_PASSWORD=your_secure_password

✅ Don't forget to add .env to your .gitignore!

🛠️ Virtual Environment Path

If you're using a virtual environment, update start_ruler.bat to match your venv folder name. Most users create it as venv, but if yours is different, change this line:

call "..\venv\Scripts\activate.bat"

to

call "..\my_venv\Scripts\activate.bat"

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🔧 Troubleshooting

🔍 The application runs in the background

• Important Note: The process is designed to run in the background, making it impossible to unlock the system without entering the correct password.
• If you forget your password: Restart your computer in secure boot mode and follow the instructions in the-ruler-killer.py to disable the process.

📛 The lock screen appears multiple times

• Issue: Multiple instances of the application are running.
• Solution: Run python the-ruler-killer.py youaskedforit to kill all instances, then restart the application.

🚫 The application doesn't start

• Issue: Common startup issues include:
  • Virtual environment not activated
  • Dependencies not installed
  • Missing administrator privileges
• Solution:
  • Ensure you've activated the virtual environment
  • Run pip install -r requirements.txt
  • Run start_ruler.bat as administrator

🔒 Can't type in the password field

• Issue: The lock screen might be in an unresponsive state.
• Solution:
  1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete
  2. Open Task Manager
  3. End the ruler-background process
  4. Run the killer script and restart the application

⏳ The application doesn't lock at the specified time

• Issue: Time synchronization or process issues.
• Solution:
  • Check that system time is correct
  • Verify the log file at the_ruler_debug.log
  • Ensure the application is running (check Task Manager)

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❓ FAQ

🔍 Is this safe to use?

Yes, The Ruler is designed with safety in mind. You can always:

• Use Task Manager to close it
• Run the killer script
• Restart your computer

🤚 The application intentionally allows these "escape routes" for safety.

🔄 Will it work after system updates?

Yes, The Ruler persists after system updates and restarts. It will automatically resume its schedule when the computer starts.

🛡️ Can someone just end the process to bypass it?

Yes, this is intentional. The Ruler is designed for scheduling and routine management, not as a security tool. If you need strict access control, consider using Windows' built-in parental controls.

🗓️ Why doesn't it work on weekends?

This is a feature! The Ruler assumes you might want more flexible computer access on weekends. You can modify this in the code if you want different behavior.

⏳ Can I change the lock time dynamically?

Currently, the lock time is set in the code. Future versions may include a configuration file or UI for easier time management.

🤝 How can I contribute or report issues?

Feel free to:

• Open issues on GitHub
• Submit pull requests
• Contact the maintainer: [email protected]

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🔒 Security Considerations

• The application runs with administrator privileges to ensure lock screen functionality.
• Password is stored in plain text by default – use the environment variable approach for better security.
• The lock can be bypassed by killing the process – this is intentional for safety reasons.
• If you forget your password, you can secure boot into recovery mode and follow the instructions in the-ruler-killer.py to stop the process.

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🌱 Contributing

Pull requests are welcome! For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss what you would like to change.

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🐝 License

MIT

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This tool is intended for personal use to help manage computer access times. It is not designed to be a security tool and should not be relied upon for critical security purposes.