Automatic management of multiple contexts

Users interacting with computing devices often multi-task across and navigate between multiple contexts. Users often report distraction and fatigue due to such switching of contexts. For example, it is hard for users to remember an earlier context and resume work at a later time. It has been argued that a user is better off focusing on one context at a time to improve productivity. However, current computers are blind to the different contexts for a user. Applications and programs relating to several current contexts are displayed without taking into account potential for distractions. Techniques of this disclosure enable automatic grouping of software applications on a user’s computer such that only applications that are relevant to a current context are visible. When switching contexts, the corresponding applications for the context are automatically made available. Such user interface enables a user to focus on a current context is strengthened while providing the ability to switch quickly to other contexts as necessary