Focus Timer

What Focus Timer is

Focus Timer is a free Linux app that schedules focused work sessions and regular breaks using the Pomodoro technique. Users can set focus and break lengths, then pause, rewind, extend, or skip sessions; automatic progression is enabled by default. Break prompts can use a full-screen overlay, notifications, sounds, and announcements. The app provides daily, weekly, and monthly focus statistics, while session history is stored in a local database with daily automatic backups. The website says that a corrupted database is restored automatically. Desktop controls include a system tray icon, global shortcuts, and awareness of idle time and the lock screen, with an optional GNOME Shell extension. Focus Timer can pause media and connect to shell commands, D-Bus, and CLI tools. Its README says the Flathub version cannot run custom scripts in the Automation panel, while Flathub lists version 1.1.5 as adding that panel to its Flatpak version. The app is licensed under GPL 3 or later. It is free to download on Flathub, with Linux packages listed for Fedora and Arch.

Who it suits

It suits Linux users, particularly those looking for a GNOME-oriented Pomodoro utility with customizable sessions and local focus statistics. Users who rely on custom scripts should note the stated Flathub limitation.

Limits

The Free plan costs nothing. In the Flathub version, custom scripts cannot run from the Automation panel; Flathub lists version 1.1.5 as adding that panel to the Flatpak version.

Getting started

1. Open the Focus Timer website or GitHub project
2. Install the Flathub package on Linux
3. Alternatively use the listed Fedora or Arch package
4. Set your focus and break durations
5. Start a session and configure reminders or desktop controls

Verdict

Focus Timer offers configurable work and break sessions, reminders, and local statistics without a listed price. The Flathub custom-script limitation matters if automation is central to your workflow.