What is a focus timer?
A focus timer is a simple commitment device. You pick a length of time, start the clock, and agree with yourself to work on one thing - and only that thing - until the timer is up. The cost of switching tabs becomes visible: every distraction you give in to is a session you'll have to start over.
Timglas turns that commitment into something you can actually see. The hourglass shape makes elapsed time tangible, the screen stays awake while you work, and a calm completion screen marks the end of the session so you can decide whether to keep going or take a real break.
Pick a session length
Three lengths cover most deep-work styles. Start with 25 minutes if you're new to long-form focus, 50 if you have a clear task list, and 90 if you're protecting a single hard problem.
25 minutes
Classic Pomodoro length. Long enough to make progress, short enough that almost anyone can hold attention through it. Ideal for inbox triage, code reviews, or warming up before a longer block.
50 minutes
The sweet spot for most knowledge work. Long enough to enter flow, short enough to fit two sessions into a morning with a real break in between.
90 minutes
Aligned with the body's natural ultradian rhythm. Best reserved for one hard, well-defined task. Plan a 15-20 minute break after - this length is too demanding to repeat back-to-back.
When to use a focus timer
A focus timer earns its keep when the work is shapeable but the day is full of small interruptions. Reach for it when you need to:
- Make real progress on writing, coding, design, or studying without checking your phone every few minutes.
- Stop a procrastination spiral by lowering the cost of starting - the only commitment is to the next 25, 50, or 90 minutes.
- Train your attention span back up after a stretch of meetings and shallow work.
- Build a daily ritual that produces measurable focused minutes you can be proud of.
How to get the most out of a session
- Decide the one outcome before you press start. "Work on the report" is a wish; "draft the introduction" is a session.
- Silence notifications and close unrelated tabs. The hourglass is the deal you made with yourself - honour it.
- If a stray thought arrives, write it on a notepad and keep going. You can act on it after the timer.
- When the session ends, take a real break. Stand up, look out a window, drink water - don't roll straight into the next one.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a focus session be?
There's no single right answer. 25 minutes is a safe starting point, especially if you struggle to begin. 50 minutes is where most people produce their best work. 90 minutes matches the body's natural ultradian rhythm and is great for one hard problem, but it needs a real break afterwards.
How is this different from Pomodoro?
Pomodoro is a specific protocol - 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes off, repeated. The focus timer is the work block itself, with no rigid cycle. Use 25 minutes here and treat it as a Pomodoro, or pick 50 or 90 for longer deep-work blocks. A dedicated Pomodoro mode with automatic breaks is on the roadmap.
What if I get interrupted?
Pause the timer if it's something you have to handle, or let it run if the interruption is short. Either way, return to the same task - don't start a new session for a different one. If interruptions are constant, try a shorter length (25 minutes) and protect just that block.
How many focus sessions can I do in a day?
Most people max out at three to four real deep-work hours per day. That can be six 25-minute sessions, four 50-minute sessions, or three 90-minute sessions - with full breaks in between. Quality beats quantity; a single great 50-minute session beats three distracted ones.