# Grow each set with progressive focus

> Progressive focus, in beta, makes each focus set a little longer than the last. The first set after a long break runs at your Focus length. Each later set adds the Step, 5 minutes by default, up to the Maximum, 50 by default. Turn it on in the timer settings.

- Page: https://dabadoro.com/docs/progressive-focus/
- Applies to: Dabadoro 1.2, New in 1.2, Beta
- Last updated: 2026-10-22

*Figure: The Progressive focus section of the Focus timer settings, marked Beta: switched on, with Step 5 and Maximum 50 minutes.*

- Off by default. Step and Maximum apply once it is on.
- Minutes each set adds, 1 to 30.
- The longest a set can run, 1 to 120 min.

*The Progressive focus section of the timer settings, switched on, at its defaults.*

## Turn on progressive focus

It is a section of **Focus timer**, the timer settings window, marked Beta.

1. **Open the timer settings**

   Press the gear (Timer settings) at the foot of the [focus timer](https://dabadoro.com/docs/focus-timer/) panel.

   (The foot of the timer panel: the Timer and Pomodoro switch, the Timer settings gear, Expand in app and Fullscreen.)

   - **Timer settings**: The gear at the foot of the timer panel.

2. **Switch on Progressive focus**

   The switch turns green.

3. **Press Save**

   The next set uses the new lengths.

## See how long each set runs

Move the sliders. The bars show two cycles, with the long break between them.

1. **25**: Set 1: 25 minutes
2. **30**: Set 2: 30 minutes
3. **35**: Set 3: 35 minutes
4. **40**: Set 4: 40 minutes
5. **25**: Set 1: 25 minutes, after the long break
6. **30**: Set 2: 30 minutes
7. **35**: Set 3: 35 minutes
8. **40**: Set 4: 40 minutes

Each set = **Focus** + **Step** × sets since the long break, up to the **Maximum**.

- **Focus in one cycle**: 2 h 10 min
- **Longest set**: 40 min

A long break comes after every 4 sets.

Breaks keep their own lengths.

## Read it on the timer

The timer panel names the length of the set you are in.

*Figure: The timer panel during set 3 of 4 with progressive focus on: the Focus tab reads 35 minutes and the Sets card reads 3 of 4, 35 minutes. Example data.*

- **Focus tab**: Shows this set's length, 35 minutes in set 3.
- **Sets**: The set you are on, then its length.

The [floating timer](https://dabadoro.com/docs/floating-timer/) counts down the same set length while you work in another window.

> **Tip:** With **Global set counter** on, your sets keep growing when you switch tasks.

## If your sets do not grow

Two checks.

**Every set is the same length**

Check that Progressive focus is on and that the Maximum is above the Focus length. At or below it, the app shows: Set the maximum above the focus length for sets to grow.

**The timer is not in Pomodoro mode**

Progressive focus changes Pomodoro sets. Switch the panel from **Timer** to **Pomodoro**, or press P. See [Timer or Pomodoro](https://dabadoro.com/docs/focus-timer/).

## See also

- [Progressive Pomodoro](https://dabadoro.com/progressive-pomodoro/): Three plans to try, and how it compares with classic sets.
- [Analytics](https://dabadoro.com/docs/analytics/): The focus time your sets add up to.
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://dabadoro.com/docs/keyboard-shortcuts/): Space, P and F for the timer.