# Use the floating timer > The floating timer is a small window that stays on top of your other windows while a focus session runs and Dabadoro is in the background. It is on by default. Choose its style, colour, clock size and how its details open in Settings, on the Timer tab. Drag it anywhere and it keeps its place. - Page: https://dabadoro.com/docs/floating-timer/ - Applies to: Dabadoro 1.2, New in 1.2 - Last updated: 2026-10-20 *Figure: The Detailed floating timer: 18:42 left in the ring, the task Organic chemistry: chapter 7 problem set in Study, and the progress line. Example data.* - The countdown of the set, with a ring that fills as it runs. - The task or habit the timer runs on, and its topic. - The line fills as the set goes by. - It stays on top of the window you work in. Drag it anywhere. *The Detailed style over another window while a focus session runs. Example data.* ## Turn on the floating timer It is on by default. If you switched it off, these steps bring it back. 1. **Open Settings** Click the gear at the right end of the title bar. (The right end of the Dabadoro title bar: Feedback, Settings, Minimise, the view switch, Maximise and Close.) - **Settings**: The gear in the title bar opens Settings. 2. **Choose the Timer tab** It sits between Schedule and Shortcuts. (The Settings tabs with Timer chosen.) - **Timer**: Every floating timer setting is here. 3. **Switch on Show the floating timer** It is the first switch under Behaviour. The change applies at once. 4. **Start a session, then switch windows** The first time, the timer appears at the top centre of your screen. > **Shortcut:** Press `Space` in Dabadoro to start or pause the timer. Then switch windows with `Alt+Tab` and the floating timer takes over. ## Change the floating timer settings Every floating timer setting is on the Timer tab. Each change shows in the preview at once. *Figure: The Timer tab in Settings, drawn the way the app draws it with its default choices: the style list beside a live preview, then Behaviour, Look, and Focus and breaks.* 1. **[Clock size](https://dabadoro.com/docs/settings/#clock-size).** Regular or Large. 2. **[Activity name](https://dabadoro.com/docs/settings/#activity-name).** The task or habit after the state word. 3. **[Timer settings](https://dabadoro.com/docs/focus-timer/).** Focus and break lengths, the alarm sound and its volume. *The Timer tab with the settings a new account starts with, drawn from the app.* Style and Colour are under [Choose a style](https://dabadoro.com/docs/floating-timer/#styles), Details under [Move, pause or hide](https://dabadoro.com/docs/floating-timer/#move), and Fade when not in use under [Fix two common problems](https://dabadoro.com/docs/floating-timer/#trouble). The [settings reference](https://dabadoro.com/docs/settings/#timer) lists every row with its default. With [progressive focus](https://dabadoro.com/docs/progressive-focus/) on, the timer counts down the length of the current set. > **Note:** A row greys out when the chosen style cannot show it. Your choice is kept for the other styles. > > - **Minimal.** Always regular clock size. No activity name, no progress ring. > - **Bar.** No clock size choice, no progress ring. > - **Detailed.** The details are always open. ## Choose a style Try each style and colour here. Drag the timer to see that it stays where you drop it. > **Tip:** A **break** gives the ring its own colour. Yours returns with the next focus set. ## Move, pause or hide the timer The timer has its own controls, so you rarely need to switch back to Dabadoro. Try them on the timer above. - **Drag.** Press anywhere on the timer and move it. It stays there, even after a restart. - **Pause.** The button beside the clock pauses the session, then resumes it. - **Open and Hide.** Open brings Dabadoro to the front. Hide hides the timer until your next session. The Detailed style keeps these buttons in view. In Minimal, Standard and Bar, they sit in the details panel. Set **Details** to **Button** to open it with a click instead, or to **Never** to keep the timer small with an Open button on it. ## Check when the timer shows All four must be true. It hides again when you click back into Dabadoro. 1. **Show the floating timer is on**: Settings, Timer tab. 2. **You are signed in**: The desktop app needs a free account. 3. **Dabadoro is not in front**: Another window has focus. 4. **A session is running**: Or paused, with Show while paused on. The floating timer shows The floating timer runs in the desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux. The [web Pomodoro timer](https://dabadoro.com/pomodoro-timer/) has none. ## Fix two common problems When the timer covers your work, or a full-screen app hides it. **It covers something I need** Drag it somewhere else, or turn on **Fade when not in use**. The timer then turns see-through 4 seconds after the pointer leaves. **It does not show over a full-screen game or video** It stays on top of your other windows. Some full-screen apps draw over everything, including it. If the timer does not show at all, or hides when you pause, see the [floating timer fixes](https://dabadoro.com/docs/troubleshooting-faq/#floating). ## See also - [Floating timer](https://dabadoro.com/floating-timer/): What it is for, with a timer you can drag. - [Focus timer](https://dabadoro.com/docs/focus-timer/): Sets, breaks, alarm sounds and Space to start. - [Settings, Timer tab](https://dabadoro.com/docs/settings/#timer): Every floating timer setting with its default.