YouTube Cognitive Load Mode

**YouTube Cognitive Load Mode** helps you watch videos with intention instead of falling into endless recommendations. YouTube is optimized for engagement, not understanding. Sidebars, autoplay, end screens, and comments constantly pull your attention away from what you chose to watch. This extension removes those distractions and gently enforces focus. ### What it does * Hides recommended videos, Shorts shelves, and end screens * Disables autoplay so videos don’t chain endlessly * Automatically pauses playback when the tab loses focus * Keeps the watch page clean and calm ### What it does *not* do * It does not block ads * It does not track you or collect personal data * It does not require sign-in or external services ### Who it’s for * Students and self-learners * Developers and researchers * Anyone who uses YouTube to learn, not just scroll Cognitive Load Mode is intentionally minimal. No dashboards, no guilt metrics, no productivity pressure. Just fewer traps and more clarity. Enable it when you want to learn. Disable it when you want to browse.