What you’ll learn
- What focus mode does – pairs a task with a chosen-length timer.
- Why classic Pomodoro fails ADHD brains – fixed lengths don’t match variable attention.
- How FOCO’s focus mode is calibrated – six lengths, picked per task per session.
- When to use which length – quick guide by energy and task type.
- Where it fits – after task breakdown, with the mascot present.
How focus mode works
Pick a task or step
The timer is paired with what you’re working on, not just a blank countdown.
Choose 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 90
Or open-ended. The default matches the step’s time estimate.
Focus with the mascot
Visible countdown, mascot present. No streak guilt if you stop.
What focus mode does
You have your task (or one step of a broken-down task). You tap focus mode. FOCO shows a timer picker: 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 90 minutes – or open-ended (“I’ll stop when I stop”).
You pick the length that matches the moment. The timer starts. The screen shows: the task, the time remaining, the mascot present. Nothing else.
When the timer ends, FOCO asks: another round, take a break, or done. No streak guilt if you stop. No punishment if you go again.
Why fixed Pomodoro fails ADHD brains
ADHD attention is variable, not broken
On meds-on flow days, ADHD adults can focus 90 minutes straight. On foggy days, 10 minutes feels like a marathon. Classic Pomodoro’s fixed 25 doesn’t fit either reality.
Wrong-length timers train you to fail
Keep trying 25 minutes, keep distracting at minute 12, you start to feel like the failure. It was the wrong length for that moment.
Right length depends on the step
A 2-minute first step needs a 2-minute timer. A 45-min deep work step needs 50. Forcing all work into one container creates artificial mismatch.
When to use which timer length
10 minutes – “I cannot start anything”
The shortest commitment that still counts. Promise yourself ten minutes. Usually you’ll keep going. Try the free 10-minute timer →
15 minutes – “Quick task, no excuse”
For the avoided 15-minute tasks. Email replies, form submissions, putting dishes away.
20 minutes – “One pass, then stretch”
The middle ground. Long enough for real progress, short enough that the end is visible.
25 minutes – “Classic Pomodoro, calibrated”
The original. Works well when medication is on board and the task is moderately interesting.
50 minutes – “Deep work block”
The hour-long stretch when you actually need to get something done. Pairs well with a real deadline and the mascot.
90 minutes – “Ultradian flow session”
Based on ultradian rhythm research – the brain naturally focuses in 90-minute waves before needing rest. Use for project work, writing, deep coding.
How FOCO’s focus mode is different from generic timers
Paired with the task
You don’t just start a timer in a vacuum. The timer is attached to a specific task. The screen shows what you’re focusing on. When the timer ends, FOCO knows what you were doing and can suggest the next step.
No streak punishment
FOCO does not show “you broke your 12-day focus streak” messages. Streaks designed to punish drive ADHD adults away from the tools that help them. We do not include them.
The mascot stays present
The FOCO mascot stays on screen during focus mode. Body doubling without a webcam – the mascot’s presence reduces the loneliness of focused solo work.
Visual countdown calibrated for ADHD
The countdown is visible but not aggressive – a quiet ring that shrinks as time passes. No flashing red, no urgent ticks. The visual is calming, not anxiety-inducing.
How focus mode pairs with other features
Focus mode usually runs at the end of the FOCO loop: voice capture the stuck task → breakdown into steps → focus mode runs the timer for step one → mascot stays present.
You can also use focus mode standalone – open the app, pick a timer, start. Useful when you don’t need the full workflow, just the time container.
Free version available now
The web-based focus timers are free at /adhd-tools/ – currently the 10-minute timer is live, with 15/20/25/50/90 launching soon. The free versions are standalone (not paired with a task). The full integration is in the mobile app.
FOCO is live on Google Play
The Android app is out now. Download FOCO free on Google Play → iOS is coming next.
FAQ
Can I pause the timer?
Yes. Tap to pause. The timer holds until you resume. There is no penalty for pausing.
What if I finish the task before the timer ends?
Tap “done.” FOCO surfaces the next step or asks what’s next. The remaining time goes back into your day, not lost.
Does the timer keep running if I leave the app?
Yes. Background timer continues. A persistent notification shows time remaining so you can return when ready. The mascot resurfaces when the timer ends.
Is focus mode available in the free web version?
Standalone focus timers are free at /adhd-tools/. The task-paired version (timer tied to a specific step from your breakdown) is in the mobile app.
What if I want a custom timer length?
The six presets cover most use cases. Open-ended mode lets you run until you stop. Custom lengths are on the roadmap – let us know if you need one.