Pomodoro Timer

25-min focus + 5-min break loops. Long break every 4 cycles. Browser tab title updates with countdown.

Pomodoro Timer runs the [Pomodoro Technique](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique) — 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, repeated 4 times before a longer 15-30 minute break. The technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s and has become a cornerstone of productivity practice for knowledge workers, students, and writers.

Pickrack's timer customizes everything: focus duration (1-120 min), short break (1-30), long break (1-60), cycles before long break (1-10). It rings a sound when the phase changes, optionally sends a browser notification (with permission), and updates the browser tab title with the countdown so you can see remaining time at a glance even when the tab is in the background.

Free, no signup, browser-side. Session stats (cycles completed, total focus minutes) are kept in this tab only — refresh resets them. No tracking, no account, no analytics on your focus sessions.

Key features

• Visual circular progress — Animated stroke around the timer fills as the phase progresses. Color changes per phase (rose = focus, emerald = short break, sky = long break).
• Tab title countdown — Browser tab title updates every second with MM:SS · Focus · Pomodoro. See remaining time from any tab without switching back.
• Browser notification — Optional — get a desktop notification when each phase ends. Requires one-time permission grant.
• Audio bell — Synthesized two-tone bell via Web Audio API when phase changes. Works without speakers via headphones; can be muted.
• Cycle counter — Visual progress through the long-break cycle (e.g., 'Cycle 1 · 2/4 done').
• Skip phase — Manually advance to the next phase if you finish work early or want to start your break sooner.
• Browser-side only — All timing happens in your tab. No data leaves your device. Refresh resets session stats — pomodoro purists may consider this a feature.

How to use

1. Step 1: Click Start — Default is 25-min focus → 5-min short break → repeat. First time you'll get a permission prompt for browser notifications (optional).
2. Step 2: Work until the timer hits zero — Don't peek at the timer — that's the whole point. Watch the tab title for at-a-glance updates if needed.
3. Step 3: Take the break — When the bell rings + tab title flips to 'Short break', stand up, walk around, drink water. Don't skip — recovery is part of the technique.
4. Step 4: After 4 cycles, take a long break — 15-30 minutes. Eat, take a walk, decompress. The timer auto-schedules this — you don't have to count.
5. Step 5 (optional): Customize durations — Some prefer 50/10 (Ultradian rhythm) or 90/20 (deep work). Click Customize to set your own.

When to use

• Programming sessions — beat 'just one more bug' tunnel vision
• Writing / essay drafting — break long writing into focused sprints
• Studying for exams — 4 pomodoros of focused study = 100 minutes effective time
• Email / inbox processing — one pomodoro of inbox-zero work, then close email for the day
• Meeting-heavy days — use 5-min breaks between meetings to walk/stretch instead of doom-scrolling
• Creative work / art — bounded sessions help prevent burnout
• Reading research papers — 25 min of focused reading + 5 min note synthesis

Frequently asked questions

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