> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.clamly.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Stay focused with the built-in Pomodoro focus timer

> Start a Pomodoro focus session in Clamly and keep your timer running across every page (quizzes, notes, and chat) without interruption.

The Focus Timer brings the Pomodoro technique directly into Clamly. Start a session and the timer follows you everywhere in the app. It stays pinned to the interface whether you're on quizzes, notes, or chat.

## What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro technique breaks your study time into focused intervals separated by short breaks. The classic structure is:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Focus Block" icon="brain">
    **25 minutes** of uninterrupted work. No messages, no switching tabs. Just the task.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Short Break" icon="coffee">
    **5 minutes** to rest your mind, stretch, or grab water before the next focus block begins.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Long Break" icon="sofa">
    After every **4 focus blocks**, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Why It Works" icon="bulb">
    Fixed intervals make large tasks feel manageable. Knowing a break is coming helps you stay on task.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Starting a focus session

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Focus Timer">
    Find the **Focus Timer** in the sidebar or look for the timer icon in the bottom corner of the app. Click it to open the timer panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Your Session Length">
    The default focus duration is 25 minutes. Shorter sessions (15-20 minutes) work well when you're distracted; longer ones (30-50 minutes) suit deep work.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the Timer">
    Click **Start**. The countdown begins and a mini timer appears pinned to the interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work Through Your Session">
    Focus on your task until the timer ends. When the focus block is complete, Clamly will notify you that it's time for a break.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Take Your Break">
    Click **Start Break** to begin the break countdown. When the break ends, you'll be prompted to start the next focus block.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## The global persistent timer

<Note>
  The Focus Timer runs **globally** across the entire app. Once you start it, the mini timer stays pinned to the interface no matter which page you navigate to. You will never accidentally lose your session by switching tools.
</Note>

<Accordion title="Switch to Quizzes Mid-Session">
  Started a focus block on your notes and remembered you need to run through a quick quiz? Navigate to Quizzes. The mini timer stays visible in the corner, counting down without pause. Your session is intact.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Jump Into a Chat or Study Group">
  If you need to ask a quick question in a study group or use Clamly Chat, you can do so without losing your focus session. The timer continues running in the background.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Open a New Note">
  Create or open a note during a focus block. The timer persists. Your Pomodoro session logs the full duration regardless of which pages you visited.
</Accordion>

## Mini timer display

The mini timer is a compact countdown badge anchored to the app UI. It shows:

* **Time remaining** in the current block
* **Whether you're in a focus block or break**
* A **pause/resume button** so you can temporarily halt the session without losing your progress

Click the mini timer at any time to expand the full timer panel and see your session history.

<Tip>
  Pair the Focus Timer with the full-screen Notes editor for a distraction-free study environment. Start your Pomodoro, go full-screen on your note, and let the mini timer quietly count down in the background.
</Tip>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Todos" icon="checkbox" href="/study-tools/todos">
    Build a task list to work through during each focus block.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Notes" icon="file-text" href="/study-tools/notes">
    Open the full-screen editor during a session for zero distractions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>