Download for WindowsDownload for macOSDownload for LinuxDownloadDownload

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.

  • New in 1.2

Last updated

EnterReturn opens a page, Esc closes.
Docs pages

Time left

The countdown of the set, with a ring that fills as it runs.

Your pick

The task or habit the timer runs on, and its topic.

Progress

The line fills as the set goes by.

Over your work

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.
On this page

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.

    Settings

    The gear in the title bar opens Settings.

  2. Choose the Timer tab

    It sits between Schedule and Shortcuts.

    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 AltTabCmdTab 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.

  1. Clock size. Regular or Large.
  2. Activity name. The task or habit after the state word.
  3. Timer settings. 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, Details under Move, pause or hide, and Fade when not in use under Fix two common problems. The settings reference lists every row with its default.

With 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.

18:42Focus · Organic chemistry: chapter 7 problem set

Style

Colour

App theme

Standard: the clock with its ring and activity. Point at it or tap it to open the details.

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 onSettings, Timer tab.
  2. You are signed inThe desktop app needs a free account.
  3. Dabadoro is not in frontAnother window has focus.
  4. A session is runningOr paused, with Show while paused on.
The floating timer shows

The Floating timer. A small timer that stays on top of your other windows while a focus session runs and Dabadoro is in the background. runs in the desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux. The web 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.