Introducing Pulses: AI notifications that actually know you
Push notifications that actually know what you're going through.
Have you ever wished someone would just check in on you? Not with a generic "How are you?" but with something that shows they've actually been paying attention?
That's what Pulses are.
What you'll actually see
Say you journaled this morning about feeling nervous before a big presentation. Later that afternoon, your phone buzzes:
It's not a template. Onsen read your entry, understood the context, and reached out at a moment that matters. You can tap it to open a personalized page about what you wrote, or start a conversation to talk it through.
The different types of check-ins
Pulses show up throughout the day, each one doing something a little different:
Every day:
| Time | Pulse | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 8 AM | Morning Intention | Helps you set an intention based on what's been on your mind |
| 9 PM | Evening Unwind | Helps you wind down and let go of the day |
Rotating through the week:
| Day | Pulse | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Win Recognition | Reminds you of something that went well recently |
| Tue | Mood Support | Checks in on how you're feeling |
| Wed | Pattern Insight | Points out a pattern you might not have noticed |
| Thu | Personal Update | Follows up on something specific you wrote about |
| Fri | Gentle Wisdom | A small, practical thought for the weekend |
| Sat | Memory Replay | Brings back a meaningful entry from your past |
| Sun | Personal Update | Another follow-up to close out the week |
You'll also get Streak Spark when you've been journaling consistently, and New Chapter to mark milestones like your birthday or the start of a new month.
You decide what you get
Not a morning person? Turn off the 8 AM check-in. Only want evening reflections? Set it up that way. You control exactly which Pulses you receive and whether they show up on your lock screen or just in the app. See the notification settings guide if you want to customize things.
The goal is to feel supported, not nagged.
They get better the more you journal
This is the part that surprised us too. The more you write, the more specific and useful the Pulses become.
Early on, they might be broader — checking in on your general mood or encouraging you to keep going. But after a few weeks of journaling, they start referencing specific people, situations, and feelings from your entries. They remember that you've been stressed about a relationship, or that you've been sleeping badly, or that last Tuesday was a good day and they want to know what made it different.
They also avoid repeating themselves. You won't get the same topic twice in a row.
Why it helps
Most of the time, the moments when you need support the most are the moments you're least likely to seek it out. You're overwhelmed, exhausted, or just not in the headspace to open an app and start writing.
Pulses meet you where you are. A gentle nudge on your lock screen that says "I noticed you've been carrying a lot this week — want to talk about it?" can be the difference between bottling something up and actually processing it.
That morning intention might help you start your day with more clarity. That evening unwind might help you finally let go of something that's been sitting with you. That follow-up about your presentation might make you feel like someone's actually paying attention.
Pulses are available now — update to the latest version of Onsen to try them. You can explore all 11 Pulse types in our help center.
