Focus Pocus
Lock in. Get pulled out. Take care of yourself.
A focus session timer that keeps you on task, then pulls you out when time's up — with escalating urgency if you ignore it.
Overview
Focus Pocus manages both sides of attention: it keeps you locked in during your session (FocusWall), then interrupts you when time's up (HyperfocusInterrupter). If you try to quit early, it pushes back. If you go overtime, it escalates. When you finally break, it generates a personalized recovery plan based on what you were doing and how long you went.
How to use it
- Name what you're focusing on and pick a session length (or use a Pomodoro preset)
- Optionally add context — upcoming obligations, skipped meals — for smarter breaks
- Hit Start. The timer runs even if you close the tab
- If you want to quit early, the tool pushes back — but won't trap you
- When time's up, take the break or snooze (max 3 times). Urgency escalates
- Get a personalized break plan with mandatory actions and a re-entry strategy
Example
Scenario: You're 2 hours into coding a new feature. You set a 60-min session but snoozed twice.
What you do: Focus Pocus escalates from gentle nudge to urgent intervention, then generates a break plan tailored to prolonged coding: eye rest, wrist stretches, hydration, and a bookmark for where you left off.
Result: You take a real break, come back sharper, and your next session is more productive because you're not running on fumes.
Tips
- The 25-minute Pomodoro preset is great for getting started — extend once you build the habit
- Fill in the optional context for much better break plans (especially upcoming obligations)
- If you keep hitting snooze, that's data — try shorter sessions next time
- Your session persists even if you close the tab, so don't worry about losing progress
Common pitfalls
- Setting unrealistically long sessions (start with 25-45 min, not 3 hours)
- Ignoring the break plan actions — they're short and your body needs them
- Using pause as a loophole to extend indefinitely