How to Keep a Pomodoro Timer Visible in a Floating Window

1. Start a 25-minute focus session

Open Pomodoro Timer and enter one task in the field asking what you want to finish this session. For example, you might write 'Fix the tables in my report.' Select Start to begin the focus timer.

The default cycle is 25 minutes of focus, a five-minute short break, and a 15-minute long break. A short break normally follows each completed focus round, with a long break after the fourth. You can change these durations later.

The timer calculates remaining time from timestamps instead of simply subtracting one second per tick. That helps avoid accumulating timing drift when a background tab is throttled.

2. Open the timer in Picture-in-Picture

Start the timer on your computer and select PiP. In a supported browser, a small timer window opens above your other work, such as a document or spreadsheet.

When Document Picture-in-Picture is available, the mini window includes your current task and controls. You can pause or resume, add five minutes, or finish the session directly in the floating panel.

The browser and operating system decide whether and how PiP windows appear. The app cannot force a floating window in every environment. It uses another mode or stays in the main page when necessary.

3. Understand why PiP controls may be missing

Pomodoro Timer chooses a PiP mode based on the browser features it detects. If Document PiP is unavailable, it attempts Video PiP using a timer picture rendered through Canvas.

Video PiP displays the timer but does not include the app's pause or finish controls. Return to the main timer page to operate it. If Video PiP is unavailable as well, the normal timer continues without a floating window.

Interactive Document PiP is primarily available in supported desktop browsers. Mobile support and video PiP behavior vary by browser and OS, so missing controls in the mini window do not necessarily indicate a timer failure.

4. Change focus and break durations

Open Settings to change the focus, short-break and long-break lengths. Choose Save to confirm the values. You can set shorter or longer intervals than the default 25-minute focus period.

Save up to three duration combinations with Save these durations as a set. Selecting Apply on a saved set fills the duration fields; you still need to choose Save to commit the setting.

An active, paused or Flow timer keeps its remaining time when you save settings. The new durations apply to untouched timers, later phases or a reset.

5. Continue working after the planned interval

Enable Flow overtime if you do not want the timer to force a break at 00:00. The clock begins counting upward, showing overtime such as +03:42 while you continue working.

If you know you want another five minutes, use +5 min. Adding time during Flow preserves the overtime already counted.

When you are ready to stop, choose Finish & next. With Flow enabled, you decide when the focus session ends.

6. Record distractions without a detailed task log

Select Distracted when your attention wanders. The current session's count increases by one, and you can undo an accidental tap from the message that appears.

The counter records interruptions, not a detailed diary of what caused each one. You can review the count alongside today's focus time and completed sessions.

7. Check notifications and PiP availability

Desktop notifications require browser permission. Notification and PiP availability depend on the browser, OS and page context. The timer itself can still display time even when desktop notifications are unavailable.

Document PiP has secure-context and compatibility requirements. Opening the standalone HTML through file:// can restrict it. Try the web version first if you want PiP, and use the normal timer if a floating window is not offered.

If you close the floating window, the timer remains available on the main page. If PiP will not open, try Start and Pause there to check whether the limitation is confined to floating display.

8. Review and export your focus history

The dashboard shows today's focus time, completed sessions and distraction count. The latest 300 sessions can be browsed, filtered to Today or All, and searched by task text.

Export CSV downloads the history matching the current filters. Timestamps use UTC and durations retain fractional minutes, so take the time zone into account when opening the file in a spreadsheet.

Export JSON is a backup of local app data, including settings, timer state and history. Unlike filtered CSV, it is intended to preserve the overall local session data before changing browsers or clearing storage.

9. Where are settings and session data stored?

The current task, timer state, settings and history are stored in localStorage in your browser. There is no automatic synchronization between devices or browser profiles. Clearing site data can remove history that was not backed up as JSON.

Pomodoro Timer does not send timer data to external APIs or load external runtime libraries. Its Content Security Policy specifies connect-src 'none'. Opening the website still requires an initial HTML download.

The ordinary timer can run from the saved standalone HTML, but PiP and notifications may be restricted in some browser contexts. Test the combination of browser and device you intend to use.

Tips and limitations

• Choose a supported desktop browser if you need controls inside Document PiP. Video PiP remains display-only.
• After applying a saved duration set, choose Save in Settings to commit it.
• The standard timer and focus history remain available on phones without PiP.
• Use filtered CSV for reviewing selected history and JSON for an overall backup.