Built a Pomodoro timer for ADHD brains: always visible progress bar

One big problem I have with pomodoro apps: they disappear. Even when the timer's running, I forget about it.

So I built a macOS app that runs as a persistent, always-on-top sidebar. When you collapse it, it becomes a 3px colored progress bar.

That constant visual reminder helps my time-blindedness stay on track.

Curious if anyone else struggles with the same thing.

17 points | by raoarjun4 4 days ago

4 comments

  • chrislqta 12 hours ago
    I thought about building a similar app for myself - for one I want some kind of pomodoro style color shift on a regular clock to help break time blindness.

    Do you have a repo of what you built?

  • treetalker 4 days ago
    The OG pomodoro method uses a ticking physical timer; object permanence and visual and auditory cues are built-in.

    As far as apps go, I think your idea makes sense. But if you're working on solving a personal difficulty, I suggest going back to the basics and keeping it simple. The point is to work on what you ought.

  • glaucon 4 days ago
    I don't have ADHD but I would find that useful (I'm not a mac user so your implementation is not for me).

    I have used pomodoro timers that have a sound (for instance a clock ticking) and that's a useful way to be reminded. Unfortunately the ones I've seen to date have a reasonably limited range of sound configuration options, generally a one second tick. I would prefer to hear a quiet sound every thirty seconds, I'd also be interested in the option of a voice announcing, say, every five minutes elapsed.

  • nrhrjrjrjtntbt 2 days ago
    Link? Would love this built into meetingbar which I already use to (almost) always not miss meetings.