A retreat conductor · not a meditation app

Run a real meditation
retreat at home.

From a two-hour morning practice to a ten-day intensive — sitting, bells, silence, and meals — on the schedule of a real retreat center. The app holds the structure so you don't have to.

For practitioners who already know how to sit. A conductor, not a timer.

Get early access →
First 200 members sit free
Now sitting
Sitting
5:30
remaining
tap to hear a bell
Why this exists

You already know
how to sit.

You've attended a retreat. You know what a structured day of practice feels like — the bells, the silence, the form that holds you.

What you don't have at home is the container — the bell, the schedule, the form that carries you through without requiring willpower.

Retreat Conductor is that container.

Insight Timer

A library of guided meditations. A teacher speaks. You follow a voice.

An unguided schedule. No voice. The structure is the whole thing.

A meditation timer

Counts one sitting. You decide when to start, when to stop, how long.

Runs the entire retreat. Sessions, transitions, bells — all decided before you sit.

A retreat center

Community, teachers, a physical space. Requires travel and time away.

The same form. At home. The bell still rings on time.

Your tradition

The same conductor.
Your specific form.

VipassanaTheravadaZenSōtō
Early access

Request a spot.

Beta is live. Leave your name and we'll reach out when your spot opens.

◆ First 200 members sit free — no subscription

How it works

Three small acts. Then silence.

01
Choose

Browse the library and choose a retreat — from a two-hour morning practice to a ten-day intensive. Each is a complete structured schedule.

02
Schedule

Set a date and time, then set the device aside. The retreat begins automatically — whether or not the screen is on.

03
Follow

Bells mark session transitions. The screen shows only the current session and how much time remains. No controls once it begins.

A ritual instrument

Seen. Heard. Felt.

Sight
A single dial holds
the entire retreat.

The arc drains over the session. The ember dot moves with it. You see time passing without having to look at it.

~
Sound
Bells mark the rhythm.
Each transition is heard.

A single struck bell opens each session. Another closes it. You do not check the time — you hear it.

Touch
Long-press to begin.
Long-press to end.

There are no buttons. Your hand participates in the ritual. A deliberate hold — not a tap — opens and closes the retreat.

Hold to begin
Why this matters

The schedule holds the time.
You just sit.

No decisions during practice

Once it begins, there is nothing to choose. That's the point.

No streaks, no scores

The bell is the only signal. Nothing to track, nothing to optimize.

Bells define transitions

A single struck bell. The next session begins. Nothing else is asked of you.

Silence and structure

Silence held by structure. That is what a real retreat is.

From the journal

Before the first bell.

scheduleSchedule Templates for Every Retreat LengthHalf-day, full-day, and multi-day. Written down before you sit so the structure runs the day, not you.Read →vipassanaCan You Do a 10-Day Vipassana at Home?The honest answer. What the architecture actually requires — and what day three feels like.Read →home retreatHow Long Should a Home Retreat Be?The most common mistake is choosing too long. A completed half-day teaches more than an abandoned full one.Read →
All journal entries →
Pricing

Own it once.

No subscriptions. No upgrades.

For practitioners who already know how to sit.

Own it
$49
once · lifetime access · no subscription
First 200 members get beta access
Everything, offline.

Every retreat length from a morning sit to ten days. Every sitting tradition. Complete schedules — bells, silence, and transitions — held without a network. Your history follows you. Pay once.

Get early access →
Chanting, prayer, and additional traditions — coming soon.
Secure checkout·No subscription — one payment, permanent access.
Install

On your phone.
No App Store required.

Retreat Conductor installs directly from your phone's browser — like an app, without the App Store. Once installed, it runs entirely offline. Bells, timing, and all.

Open on your phone

Scan the QR code, or type the address directly into Safari (iPhone) or Chrome (Android).

Add it to your home screen

iPhone: tap the share button at the bottom of Safari — the box with an arrow pointing up — then "Add to Home Screen."

Android: tap the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome, then "Add to Home screen."

Open from your home screen and unlock

Enter your invite code. That's it.

Before you sit

Unmute your phone. The bells are the only thing telling you when to sit and when to rise — if the phone is on silent, you'll miss them.

Keep the app visible while you sit. On iPhone, if you lock the screen or switch apps in browser mode, the bell may go silent after 30 seconds. Installing from your home screen resolves this — it lets the bell through even when your screen is off.

Scan to open on your phone

app.retreatconductor.com

Once installed from your home screen, bells ring and a lock screen card shows — even with your screen off. That's the right setup for a real retreat.

Native iOS and Android apps are coming later this year.

FAQ

Common questions.

Who is this for?

Practitioners who have already attended structured retreats — in any sitting tradition — and want to practice the same form at home. The app assumes you know how to sit. It does not teach meditation. It holds the schedule.

Why not just use Insight Timer?

Insight Timer is a library of guided meditations. Retreat Conductor is a conductor — it runs an unguided, structured retreat schedule from start to finish. Different jobs. Use Insight Timer when you want a guide. Use this when you want form and structure, not instruction.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Once installed, it runs entirely on your device. No network needed during a retreat.

Can I pause the retreat?

No. Pause is not a feature by design. Real time keeps running whether the app is open or not. If you return after closing it, the app figures out where you are and shows you your current position.

What if it closes mid-retreat?

When you reopen, the app calculates the current moment from your original start time. You'll see which session you should be in, and be given one choice: continue from now.

Is this for beginners?

No — not in the traditional sense. The app assumes you already know how to sit in silence for structured periods. It holds time and rings bells. It does not teach technique or offer guided instruction.

What retreats are included?

The library includes retreats from a two-hour morning practice to a ten-day intensive — with half-day, full-day, two-day, and three-day options in between. Each is a complete structured schedule with timed sessions, bell sequences, and transitions. Chanting, prayer, and additional practice traditions are on the roadmap.

Do I need an account?

Yes — a lightweight one. Sign in with your email (magic link, no password) or with Google. Your invite code activates access and your retreat history follows you across devices.

Will bells ring when my screen is locked?
DeviceInstalled appBrowser tab only
iPhoneBells ring, lock screen card showsMay go silent after 30 seconds
AndroidBells ring, lock screen card showsUsually works

For the best experience, install the app before starting a retreat. This works the same regardless of which browser you use.

On iPhone: tap the Share or menu icon in your browser, then tap "Add to Home Screen."

On Android: tap Install when your browser prompts you, or open the browser menu and select "Add to Home Screen."

If a bell cuts off when you switch apps, return to the app. The retreat is still running and will be in the right position.

What is a good schedule for a home retreat?

Alternate 45-minute sitting periods with 15-minute walking meditation, with a 30–60 minute break for meals. Repeat 1–3 times through the day for 4–8 hours of formal practice. Fix the schedule before you start — the moment you're deciding when the next period begins, you're not in the practice.

How long should a home retreat be?

For a first home retreat: half a day. Four to five hours is enough to feel the shift in attention and short enough to finish. Full day suits practitioners who've sat residential retreats. Multi-day for those sustaining a residential form at home. The principle: a retreat you complete is worth more than a longer one you abandon.

Can I do a retreat at home without a teacher?

Yes — if you already know the practice. Retreat Conductor is for practitioners who've attended structured retreats and want to sit the same form at home. It holds the schedule and rings bells. It doesn't teach technique and isn't suitable for complete beginners.

Begin

Sit your first retreat.

One hour. One decision. Then it begins.

Get early access →
◆ First 200 members get beta access
Beta access requires an invite.