Timers
OterApp’s timer system helps you focus with countdown timers, sequenced routines, and Pomodoro-style sessions.
Standalone timers
A standalone timer is a simple countdown: set a name, duration, and start it. The timer runs down from your set duration. You can pause and resume it, stop it early, or let it run to completion — you’ll get a notification when time’s up.
Timer lists
Group related timers into a timer list — a warm-up, workout, and cool-down sequence for example. Timer lists support two modes:
- Sequential — timers run one after another. When the first completes, the next one starts automatically.
- Loop — the entire list repeats from the beginning when all timers have completed. Useful for interval training circuits.
Within a list, each timer can be individually configured with its own name, duration, and order.
Pomodoro mode
Pomodoro mode groups timers into focused work and break blocks — typically 25 minutes of focus followed by 5 minutes of rest. After every four focus blocks, a longer break (15–30 minutes) is inserted.
The app tracks which timers count as pomodoros so you can see how many focus sessions you completed in a day.
Timer states
Every timer goes through these states:
| State | What it means |
|---|---|
| Idle | Created, hasn’t been started yet |
| Running | Counting down |
| Paused | Frozen — you can resume where you left off |
| Stopped | Stopped early or reset |
| Completed | Duration has elapsed |
The timer state is managed by the server, so even if you close the app and reopen it, your timer is still running (or completed). If your device reconnects, it syncs the authoritative state immediately.
Reviewing focus history
See how much time you’ve spent with timers — total focus time, pomodoros completed, and a breakdown by timer list or standalone timer. History is available for any date range.
Tips
- Server-authoritative timers: Timers keep running even when the app isn’t open. The server tracks elapsed time, so timers complete reliably.
- Lists for routines: Use timer lists for any multi-step process — workouts, study blocks, cooking sequences.
- Pomodoro grouping: Turn on pomodoro mode on a timer list to automatically structure work and break intervals.
Our approach
Oter’s timer system is based on time-boxing research, flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), and ultradian rhythm science (Kleitman, 1963). Timers remove decision points from work sessions by defining a clear container for attention. Timer lists enable pre-structured sequences, and server-authoritative timing ensures reliability across devices.