What is the Pomodoro technique?+
The Pomodoro technique is a time management method where you work for 25 minutes (one Pomodoro), then take a 5-minute break. After 4 Pomodoros, take a 15-30 minute long break. It was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s.
How does a Pomodoro timer improve focus?+
Breaking work into 25-minute sprints makes large tasks less overwhelming, creates urgency that prevents procrastination, and the scheduled breaks prevent mental fatigue. Studies show it can increase productivity by up to 25%.
Can I customize the Pomodoro work and break times?+
Yes. Open the settings gear to set your own focus, short-break, and long-break lengths, the classic 25/5/15, or 50/10 and 90/20 for deeper work, and choose how many focus sessions trigger a long break. You can also enable auto-start and desktop notifications.
How many Pomodoros should I do per day?+
Most productivity experts recommend 8-12 Pomodoros per workday (roughly 4-6 hours of focused work). Beyond 12, cognitive performance drops significantly.
Does the Pomodoro timer work for studying?+
Yes: it's one of the most popular study methods. The 25-minute focus windows are long enough for deep understanding but short enough to maintain concentration. The breaks prevent information overload.
What should I do during Pomodoro breaks?+
Short breaks (5 min): stand up, stretch, drink water, look away from screen (20-20-20 rule). Avoid checking social media, it delays cognitive recovery. Long breaks (15 min): take a walk, eat a snack, do light exercise. The goal is genuine mental rest, not just switching screens.
Which preset should I use, 25/5, 50/10, or 90/20?+
Start with Classic 25/5 for general tasks and studying. Switch to Deep Work (50/10) when you're in flow on writing or coding and short breaks feel disruptive. Ultradian (90/20) matches the body's natural ~90-minute focus rhythm and suits long creative work, while Sprint (15/3) helps when motivation is low and you just need to start.
Are there keyboard shortcuts?+
Yes. Press Space to start or pause the timer, R to reset the current phase, and S to skip to the next one. Shortcuts are ignored while you're typing in the task field, so they never interfere.
Can I set a daily focus goal?+
Yes. In settings, set a target number of focus sessions for the day. A progress bar fills as you complete sessions and shows a badge when you hit the goal, a simple, visible target that most people find more motivating than an open-ended session count.
Does the timer save my sessions and stats?+
Yes. Your settings, today's completed sessions and focus minutes, and a log of each finished focus block are saved in your browser's local storage, so they're still there when you come back. Everything stays on your device, nothing is uploaded. Daily counters reset automatically at the start of a new day.
How does the Pomodoro Technique work?+
Work in focused 25-minute sprints, then take a 5-minute break; after four sprints take a longer 15-30 minute break. This timer runs those cycles automatically so you just focus and rest on cue.
Can I customise the focus and break lengths?+
Yes. Adjust the focus, short-break and long-break durations to fit how you work (for example 50/10), and the timer repeats the cycle for you.
Does the timer keep running and alert me in a background tab?+
Yes. It keeps counting in a background tab and sounds an alert when each session ends, and there is no signup or ads to break your focus.
What should I do during breaks?+
Step away from the screen: stretch, walk, or rest your eyes. Short mental resets are what keep the next session sharp.