# NotchStar Pomodoro presets: 25/5, 50/10 and 15/3

> NotchStar's Pomodoro timer has three presets: 25 minutes focus and 5 break, 50 and 10, or 15 and 3. Here is how to switch and when to use each.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-pomodoro-presets/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

The Pomodoro clock in NotchStar has three presets. Each pairs a focus block with a break: 25 and 5 minutes, 50 and 10 minutes, or 15 and 3 minutes. Every cycle is four sessions. You cannot enter other numbers.

## The three presets

| Preset | Focus | Break | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 / 5 | 25 minutes | 5 minutes | The classic rhythm, a good first choice |
| 50 / 10 | 50 minutes | 10 minutes | Deep work such as writing or coding |
| 15 / 3 | 15 minutes | 3 minutes | Days when starting is the hard part |

## How to switch

1. Open the notch, choose **Timers** and then **Pomodoro**.
2. Press the button on the right that shows the current pair, for example 25 / 5 min.
3. Choose one of the three entries in the menu.

Switching resets the current phase to the new focus length. It is best to do it before you press play. Switching also builds a fresh cycle, so the session count goes back to the start.

## Limits

- No custom pair, such as 40 and 8.
- Four sessions per cycle, fixed.
- The preset returns to 25 / 5 when NotchStar restarts.

For when to use a longer or shorter block, see the [Pomodoro guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/pomodoro-timer-on-mac/). The tool itself is described on the [Timers feature page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/).

## Keep reading.

- [Timer, stopwatch and Pomodoro in the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/): A timer, stopwatch and Pomodoro with session tracking, always one hover away in the Mac notch. It keeps counting while the notch is closed.
- [How to start a Pomodoro session in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/start-a-pomodoro-session-notchstar/): Open Timers, choose Pomodoro, pick 25 and 5, 50 and 10 or 15 and 3 minutes, and press play. A ring and four dots track the cycle.
- [How to skip a Pomodoro phase in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/skip-pomodoro-phase-sessions/): Press the skip button next to play in Pomodoro mode to jump from focus to break or back. A skipped focus block still counts toward the four dots.
- [How to run a Pomodoro timer on your Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/pomodoro-timer-on-mac/): The Pomodoro technique in practice: block lengths, breaks, what to do when you get interrupted, and how to run it from the Mac notch.

## More in Timers.

- [How to set a timer on your Mac with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/set-a-timer-on-mac-notchstar/): Open the notch, choose Timers, pick a length from 5 to 60 minutes and press play. Pause and reset sit beside the play button.
- [How to start a Pomodoro session in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/start-a-pomodoro-session-notchstar/): Open Timers, choose Pomodoro, pick 25 and 5, 50 and 10 or 15 and 3 minutes, and press play. A ring and four dots track the cycle.
- [Which timer lengths NotchStar offers](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-timer-lengths/): The NotchStar countdown timer offers 5, 10, 15, 25, 45 and 60 minutes from one menu. There is no custom entry. Here is how to pick one.
- [What happens when a NotchStar timer ends](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-happens-when-notchstar-timer-ends/): When a NotchStar timer ends it plays your chosen sound and resets to its length. It does not repeat, show a banner or move other windows.
- [Can you run more than one timer in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/run-two-timers-notchstar/): NotchStar has one Timer, one Stopwatch and one Pomodoro, each with its own state. Only one countdown should run at a time. Here are the limits.
- [Does a NotchStar timer survive quitting the app](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-timer-after-quit/): Timers reset when NotchStar quits or restarts. The sound you chose is kept. Closing the notch does not stop a timer; quitting the app does.