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.
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.
