Yes — the site describes itself as custom made for all, with no mention of accounts, subscriptions, or payments.

Paul Glushak (a.k.a. hxii), a developer with ADHD who built the pond with AI assistance after putting the idea off for a long time. He notes he's currently looking for a job and can be reached via the site.

koi.rest — A virtual koi pond to stare at and do nothing

koi.rest is a free, browser-based virtual koi pond built as a quiet, meditative corner of the internet. Visitors watch koi swim in real time — and the fish you see represent other people currently visiting the pond, so you're quietly sharing the space with strangers. It was created by Paul Glushak (hxii), a developer with ADHD who built it as a calming project during a stressful period, using AI to bring it to life after putting the idea off for a long time.

Key Features

Live shared koi pond

Watch a virtual koi pond in real time, where the koi you see represent other people currently visiting the pond alongside you.

Ambient sounds

Built-in sounds with a mute-all option, so you can listen to the pond's ambience or keep it silent.

Session timer

Set a timer of 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes for a structured break, or simply stay as long as you'd like.

Runs in the browser

A web page you can open anytime to stare at the pond and do nothing — no signup or app mentioned.

How It Works

Enter the pond

Open the site and enter, or set a timer (10/15/30/60 minutes) for a timed session.

Watch and unwind

Stare at the koi swimming in the pond — those fish are other visitors sharing the moment with you.

Stay or leave

There's no time limit: you can stay as long as you'd like, with sounds on or muted.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Genuinely free to use, with no signup or account mentioned
Shared experience: the koi represent real people currently in the pond, adding a subtle sense of presence
Flexible session length — stay indefinitely or use the built-in 10/15/30/60-minute timer
Ambient sounds are optional and can be muted entirely
Created as a passion project by a named, contactable maker rather than a faceless company

Cons

Who It's For

Best for

Anyone who wants a calm, low-stimulation place to pause and decompress
People with ADHD or stress looking for a simple mindfulness or focus-reset ritual
Those who enjoy ambient experiences and quiet, shared internet spaces
Anyone taking a timed break (10–60 minutes) who wants something gentler than social media

Not ideal for

Users looking for a productivity tool, guided meditation app, or structured wellness program
Anyone expecting progress tracking, journals, or other self-care features

Use Cases

Taking a short mindful break from work with a timed session (10–60 minutes)

Winding down or managing stress and anxiety with a calming visual and ambient sounds

Feeling a quiet sense of company by watching koi that represent other visitors

Filling a moment with 'doing nothing' — a deliberate pause without feeds or notifications

FAQ

What is koi.rest?

It's a virtual koi pond in your browser — a quiet place to stare at fish and do nothing, created by Paul Glushak (hxii) as a calming project during a stressful year.

Are the koi other people?

Yes. According to the site, the koi you see are other people visiting the pond together with you in real time.

How long can I stay?

As long as you'd like. There's no limit — or you can set a timer of 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes if you prefer a structured session.

Does it have sound?

Yes, there are ambient sounds, and a mute option lets you silence them entirely.

koi.rest