# A writer workflow on a Mac: writing sprints, notes and research > Run writing sprints with the Pomodoro, jot ideas in Quick Note and gather quotes with clipboard history. What NotchStar does and does not for writers. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/writer-workflow-sprints-notes-and-research-on-a-mac/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. A writer can use three NotchStar tools without leaving the document: Timers for sprints, Quick Note for stray ideas, and Clipboard for research. None of them writes for you. They protect your attention while you write. ## Sprints 1. Open **Timers**, choose **Pomodoro**. 2. Pick a block length. **25 and 5** is the classic. **50 and 10** gives more room for a section. **15 and 3** helps when starting is the hard part. 3. Set the next action in one sentence, such as "rewrite the opening paragraph". Press play. 4. Close the notch. The timer keeps running, and you hover over the notch to read it. 5. At the sound, stop at a sentence boundary and write the next action down. The timer moves to the break by itself. The [Pomodoro guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/pomodoro-timer-on-mac/) explains the method. No block length is proven best for everyone. ## Catch stray ideas An idea for chapter six does not belong in chapter two. Open **Quick Note**, type it in a few words and go back. It saves as you type and is there next time. Move the contents into your notes app at the end of the day, since there is only one note and it is plain text. ## Gather research Copy each quote, link and fact as you read. The **Clipboard** tab keeps the last 50, searchable by a few words. Click one to put it back on the clipboard, then paste. Text is stored plain, so italics and footnote numbers are lost and you need to check titles. See [collecting citations](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/copy-citations-with-clipboard-history-on-a-mac/). ## Check what is next The Home tab shows your next events and reminders, so you know when a deadline or call is coming. Add the due date in Reminders and NotchStar lists it. ## Honest limits - Timers reset when NotchStar quits, and there is no history of sprints or word counts. - The finish alert is a sound only. - Quick Note has no title, formatting or multiple notes. - Clipboard history is cleared on quit and holds 50 items. - NotchStar does not block distracting sites or apps. - Nothing syncs to other devices. If you want a gentle record, write your word count in Quick Note after each sprint and copy it out at the end. The [Quick Notes page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/quick-notes/) lists the controls, and the [Timers page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/) describes the modes. ## Quick answers. ### Is Quick Note a writing app? No. It is one plain text scratchpad for fragments. Write your draft in your usual editor. ### Which Pomodoro suits writing? NotchStar has 25 and 5, 50 and 10, or 15 and 3. Many writers try 50 and 10, but pick what makes starting easy. ## 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. - [A scratchpad that is always one hover away](https://www.notchstar.com/features/quick-notes/): A plain text scratchpad in the notch that saves as you type. Jot down a number, a name or a to do without opening another app. - [Clipboard history that lives in your notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/clipboard/): Searchable clipboard history in the Mac notch: text, links, images and files. Skips password manager copies. Click any item to copy it again. - [How to collect citations and quotes with clipboard history on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/copy-citations-with-clipboard-history-on-a-mac/): Copy several quotes, links and citations while researching, then paste them one by one from the NotchStar Clipboard tab. Holds 50 items, clears on quit. ## More in Creators. - [A YouTuber workflow on a Mac: script, framing and screenshots](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/youtuber-workflow-script-framing-and-screenshots-on-a-mac/): Frame yourself with Mirror, read from the Teleprompter, collect stills in the Screenshot Tray and clear space with Disk. Limits included. - [A podcaster workflow on a Mac: script, segment timer and notes](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/podcaster-workflow-script-timer-and-notes-on-a-mac/): Read intros from the Teleprompter, time segments with a countdown, keep show notes in Quick Note and reuse links from clipboard history. Limits stated. - [A designer workflow on a Mac: references, screenshots and file handoff](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/designer-workflow-screenshots-assets-and-references-on-a-mac/): Collect reference screenshots in the Screenshot Tray, park assets on the Shelf, AirDrop files and reuse copied colour values with clipboard history. - [A teacher workflow on a Mac: class timer, notes and camera check](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/teacher-workflow-class-timer-notes-and-camera-on-a-mac/): Time classroom activities with a countdown, jot reminders in Quick Note, check your camera before an online lesson and share screenshots with students. - [A support agent workflow on a Mac: replies, screenshots and case notes](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/support-agent-workflow-replies-screenshots-and-notes-on-a-mac/): Reuse copied replies from clipboard history, send screenshots from the tray, keep a case number in Quick Note and time a call. Plain text, memory only.