Focus timer, one block at a time
Add a task, then split it into steps you can finish in one sitting. Drag to reorder, or drop a task into another to make it a step.
How it works and questions
The 10 minute method
Big tasks are hard to start because they're vague. Ten minutes isn't. Name the next small step, give it a block of time, and do only that. Most work turns out to be a short list of small steps, and crossing them off one by one is what gets it done.
How it works
- Write a task, like “Finish the report”.
- Split it into steps you can do in one sitting: 10, 25 or 45 minutes each.
- Press play. The timer floats above your other windows and chimes softly each minute.
Want it on top of everything? See the floating timer.
Questions
What is the 10 minute method?
Break a task into steps small enough to finish in about 10 minutes, then do them one at a time with a timer running. A small step is easier to start than a whole project, and finishing one makes the next easier to begin.
How is it different from Pomodoro?
Pomodoro uses fixed 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks. Here the step sets the length: 10, 25 or 45 minutes, whatever it needs, and you take a break when you want one.
Does the timer stay on top of other windows?
Yes. Press the float button and the timer opens in a picture-in-picture window that stays above your other apps. It works in Chrome, Edge and Safari. In Firefox, use the browser's own picture-in-picture button on the timer.
Can I use it as a plain timer?
Yes. Press play with an empty list and a 10-minute block starts. No task needed.
Does it make a sound?
A soft chime each minute and another when time is up. Turn it off with the speaker button.
Is my data private?
Your tasks are saved in your browser and never sent to a server. There's no account. Visits are counted anonymously with Fathom, which uses no cookies.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Install it with the install button, or Add to Home Screen on iPhone and iPad, and it works without a connection.