orbitfocus

About OrbitFocus

OrbitFocus is a free focus timer and task list that runs entirely in your browser. Pick a task, press Start, and work in short focused sessions with planned breaks, using the classic 25 / 5 Pomodoro rhythm by default, or one of several other focus modes. There is nothing to install and nothing to sign up for.

What it is for

Long to-do lists and constant distractions make it hard to start and stay on one thing. OrbitFocus gives each stretch of work a clear beginning and end: choose one task, start the timer, work until it rings, then rest. Your task list, the history of what you finished and your focus log keep the day visible without an account, an app or a subscription.

What it does

  • Focus modes. Tap the mode name on the timer to switch between Classic Pomodoro (25 / 5, long break 15 after every 4 rounds), Deep Work (50 / 10), Ultra Focus (90 / 20), Quick Sprint (15 / 3), Study (45 / 15) and Calm Flow (30 / 5). Each mode has its own long break, its own number of rounds before it, and its own colours and pace in the focus view. The space bar starts and pauses the timer.
  • Custom mode. Set your own focus, short break and long break lengths and how many rounds come before the long break.
  • Music for Custom mode. Optionally paste a YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, SoundCloud or Apple Music link to a song or playlist. It plays in that service's own small player, which you can fold away, on the timer page and in the focus view. It starts with your focus session where the service allows it (browsers sometimes need one click on play first), and pauses on breaks unless you choose to keep it playing.
  • Focus view, three ways. In Settings, under Timer display: Expanded in browser (the default) fills your browser window with large digits, a glowing orbit ring, the focus mode and the task you are working on; True full screen uses your whole screen; Classic keeps the timer counting in place. Press Esc or Exit to return to the dashboard; the timer keeps running. Turn on Lighter effects for a calmer look (it switches on automatically if your device asks for reduced motion).
  • Tasks you can start. Every task has a Start button. It makes that task your current task and starts the focus timer straight away. Each completed focus session, and the time you spent focusing, is added to that task. Tasks can have a priority and a due date, and you can search the list or drag tasks to reorder them.
  • Task history. When you mark a task done, it moves from your list to History. History is grouped by day (Today, Yesterday, then dates) and shows when you finished each task and how many sessions and minutes it took. You can restore a task to your list, delete one entry, or clear the whole history.
  • Focus log and weekly chart. See your completed sessions, today's focus time against your daily goal, your total focus time and your streak.
  • Alerts. A soft chime, plus an optional browser notification, when a session ends.
  • Themes. Midnight (the default), Light, Forest, Ocean, Sunset and High contrast. Your choice applies on every page.
  • Your own background. Use an image or a muted, looping video behind the timer, with dim and blur controls.

How to use it

  1. Add a task with the Add button, or press /. Press Enter to save it.
  2. Press Start on the task. The focus timer starts and, unless you chose the Classic display, the focus view opens with the task's name under the clock.
  3. Work on that one task until the timer ends. The session is added to the task.
  4. Take the break. The timer switches to a short break by itself, and to a longer one after a set number of focus sessions (four in Classic Pomodoro). Step away from the screen if you can.
  5. Mark the task done with the round check button. It moves to History.
  6. Adjust it. Tap the focus mode name on the timer to pick another mode or set up Custom mode. Open Settings (the cog) for the timer display, the daily goal, the theme or the background.

Private and local

  • No account. There is nothing to sign up for. A Google sign-in is only needed if you choose the optional Drive backup below.
  • Your data stays on your device. Tasks, task history, the focus log, settings and theme are saved in your browser's local storage. OrbitFocus has no server that stores them.
  • Backgrounds never leave your device. A background image or video is kept in your browser's own storage and is not uploaded anywhere.
  • Export and import. In Settings, under Backup, Export backup downloads one file with your tasks, task history, focus log, settings and theme. Import backup restores it, for example in another browser. Backgrounds are not included in the file.
  • Optional Google Drive backup. Press Sign in with Google to back up on the timer page or in Settings to save the same backup file to a private app folder in your own Google Drive. OrbitFocus can only reach that one folder, not your other Drive files, and the file goes straight from your browser to Google. While you are signed in, auto-backup keeps it up to date, and Restore brings it back on another device or browser. Backgrounds are not included.

Because everything is stored in your browser, clearing site data or switching browsers removes it, so export a backup now and then or use the Google Drive backup. Full details are in the privacy policy.

Guides

New to the method? These guides explain how the Pomodoro Technique works, what the research does and does not show, and how to adapt the rhythm to your work.

Browse all guides · Tools we like

Questions and feedback

Found a bug, have a question or want to suggest a correction? Send a message with the contact form.