What is the Pomodoro technique?
The Pomodoro technique is a way to work in short, timed blocks. It was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. You focus for a fixed time, typically 25 minutes, take a short break, and repeat. After four blocks you take a longer rest. A Pomodoro timer is the clock that runs those blocks for you.
Why it matters
A timer turns “work on this for a while” into a clear start and a clear stop. People use it to begin tasks they keep putting off, and to remember to look up from the screen.
How the NotchStar timer works
The Timers tool has a Timer, a Stopwatch and a Pomodoro mode. In Pomodoro, the ring fills over each focus block, a label tells you whether you are in a focus phase or a break phase, and four dots track the sessions in a cycle. The default is a 25 minute focus block and a 5 minute break. The presets are 25 and 5, 50 and 10, and 15 and 3 minutes.
The timer keeps counting while the notch is closed, so you can start it, close the panel and carry on.
Limits
NotchStar is not a task manager. It tracks sessions in a cycle but does not tie them to projects. If you want that, use a separate tool alongside it.
Related
Read the Pomodoro setup guide for tips, and the Timers tool for the rest of the controls. The idea of a readout that stays visible while you work is covered under live activity.
