Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using Superhuman Flow to boost your productivity
What is Superhuman Flow?
Superhuman Flow is a free, browser-based focus timer and productivity tool designed to help you achieve peak performance. Built on the proven Pomodoro Technique, it combines beautiful aesthetics with powerful features like Focus Score tracking, activity timelines, and ambient sounds. Our mission is simple: help ordinary people achieve extraordinary focus—no account required, no ads, completely free.
Why is it called Superhuman Flow?
The name combines two powerful concepts: "Superhuman" represents the exceptional productivity and focus you can achieve with the right tools and techniques. "Flow" refers to the psychological state of complete immersion in a task—that feeling when time flies and you're doing your best work. Together, Superhuman Flow is about unlocking your potential to enter that peak performance state consistently.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a timer to break work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a "pomodoro" (Italian for tomato, named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used). The technique helps improve focus, reduce mental fatigue, and boost productivity by encouraging regular breaks.
How do I start using Superhuman Flow?
Getting started is simple! Just open Superhuman Flow in your browser, and the timer will be ready to use. Click the Start button (or press Space) to begin your first 25-minute focus session. The timer will count down, and when it completes, you'll hear a sound and automatically transition to a 5-minute break. No account signup or installation required—just start the timer and focus on your work.
What is the ideal Pomodoro timer duration?
The classic Pomodoro duration is 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, with a longer 15-minute break after every 4 Pomodoros. However, the ideal duration varies by person and task type. Beginners might start with 15-minute sessions, while experienced users doing deep work might prefer 40-50 minute sessions. Superhuman Flow lets you customize all durations in the settings to find what works best for you.
How does a Pomodoro timer help with focus?
A Pomodoro timer improves focus in several ways: (1) The 25-minute duration matches your brain's natural attention span, (2) The time limit creates productive urgency without overwhelming pressure, (3) Knowing there's a break coming makes it easier to resist distractions, (4) Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue and maintain energy, and (5) The ticking timer provides external structure when internal motivation wavers. Studies show that time-boxed work with regular breaks can improve focus quality by up to 25% compared to marathon work sessions.
How do I customize timer intervals?
Click the Settings icon (menu icon) in the top right corner of the timer page. In the settings modal, you can customize the duration for Focus Sessions (default 25 minutes), Short Breaks (default 5 minutes), and Long Breaks (default 15 minutes). You can also choose from different sounds and adjust the volume for completion alerts. Your preferences are automatically saved to your browser and will persist across sessions.
Can I change the timer sounds?
Yes! Click the Settings icon to access Sound Settings. You can choose from multiple notification sounds including bells, chimes, and tones. You can also adjust the volume or mute sounds entirely if you prefer visual-only notifications. Each sound is designed to be pleasant and non-jarring, so completing a session feels rewarding rather than stressful.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts?
Yes! Superhuman Flow supports several keyboard shortcuts for quick control: Press Space to start/pause the timer, R to reset, S to skip to the next session, and ? to open the information menu. These shortcuts work anywhere on the timer page, making it easy to control your sessions without reaching for the mouse.
Does Superhuman Flow have dark mode?
Yes! Superhuman Flow features a beautiful dark mode by default, optimized for extended use and reduced eye strain. The dark background with glassmorphism effects creates a calming, premium aesthetic that's easy on the eyes during long work sessions. This is especially beneficial for night owls, developers, and anyone sensitive to bright screens.
Does this work offline?
Yes! Superhuman Flow is designed to work completely offline once loaded. All your settings and statistics are stored locally in your browser using localStorage. No internet connection is required after the initial page load, making it perfect for focused work sessions without distractions.
What browsers are supported?
Superhuman Flow works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. For the best experience, we recommend using the latest version of any major browser. Mobile browsers are also fully supported.
Can I use this on mobile?
Absolutely! Superhuman Flow is fully responsive and works great on mobile devices. You can use it on your phone or tablet through any mobile browser. For the best mobile experience, consider adding it to your home screen for quick access.
How do I know when a session is complete?
When a focus session or break completes, you'll hear a sound notification (if enabled in settings). The timer will also automatically transition to the next session type. Additionally, the browser tab title always displays the current timer, so you can see your progress even when working in another tab.
Is my data stored anywhere? Is it private?
Your privacy is our top priority. All data (timer settings, session history, statistics) is stored exclusively in your browser's localStorage. Nothing is sent to our servers. Your data never leaves your device unless you explicitly choose to export it. We use Google Analytics to understand how people use the app for developer feedback and improvements, but no personally identifiable information is collected.
Do I need to create an account?
No account needed! Superhuman Flow works instantly without signup, login, or any personal information. Just open the app and start your first Pomodoro. This design choice reflects our privacy-first philosophy—your data stays on your device, and you maintain complete control.
What should I do during Pomodoro breaks?
Effective breaks involve physical movement and mental disengagement from work. Best activities include: walking (even just around the room), stretching, getting water or a healthy snack, looking out a window at distant objects to rest your eyes, or doing breathing exercises. AVOID checking social media, email, or starting new work tasks—these don't provide real mental rest. The key is to completely disconnect from your work for 5 minutes so you return refreshed.
Can I use Pomodoro for studying?
Absolutely! The Pomodoro Technique is excellent for studying. It helps break large study sessions into manageable chunks, prevents cramming fatigue, and improves retention through regular breaks (when memory consolidation happens). For studying, try 25-40 minute focused sessions with 5-10 minute breaks. During breaks, review your notes mentally or quiz yourself—this spaced repetition enhances learning. Many students report that 4-6 Pomodoros (2-3 hours) of focused study is more effective than 8 hours of distracted studying.
Does Pomodoro work for ADHD?
Yes! Many people with ADHD find the Pomodoro Technique particularly helpful. The timer provides external structure to combat time blindness, the 25-minute limit reduces overwhelm from executive dysfunction, forced breaks prevent hyperfocus burnout, and the urgency of the countdown helps activate the ADHD brain's interest-based nervous system. That said, you may need to adapt the timing—start with shorter 10-15 minute sessions if 25 feels too long, or use longer 40-50 minute sessions for hyperfocus-friendly tasks. Superhuman Flow's customizable durations make these adaptations easy.
Can I use this for work from home?
Definitely! Pomodoro timers like Superhuman Flow are perfect for remote work. They help create structure when working from home, prevent household distractions from derailing productivity, establish clear "focus time" boundaries with family/roommates, and combat the tendency to either overwork or underwork when home and office blend. Many remote workers use Pomodoros to maintain the focus intensity of an office environment while enjoying the flexibility of home.
What's the difference between a Pomodoro timer and a regular timer?
A Pomodoro timer is specifically designed for the Pomodoro Technique with built-in work/break cycles. Unlike a regular countdown timer, Pomodoro timers like Superhuman Flow automatically alternate between focus sessions and breaks, track your daily sessions, provide session statistics, and use interval-optimized durations (25/5/15 by default). Regular timers require manual resetting and don't provide the structured cycle or progress tracking that makes Pomodoro effective.
How is Superhuman Flow different from other Pomodoro apps?
Superhuman Flow stands out through its aesthetic, minimalist design that reduces distractions, completely free access with no hidden costs or premium tiers, no account requirement (privacy-first, works instantly), offline functionality after initial load, keyboard shortcuts for power users, customizable sounds and durations, beautiful dark mode optimized for extended use, and session tracking without collecting personal data. We focused on creating the most beautiful, distraction-free timer that respects your privacy and time.
Is this really free? What's the catch?
Yes, Superhuman Flow is 100% free to use with no hidden costs, subscriptions, or premium tiers. We built this tool because we believe everyone deserves access to great productivity tools. There's no catch. The app is funded by the creator as a passion project. No ads, no data selling, no strings attached. We may add optional premium features in the future, but the core timer functionality will always remain free.
Why is Superhuman Flow free?
Superhuman Flow is free because the creator built it to solve a personal productivity problem and wants to share it with others facing the same challenges. Focus and productivity shouldn't be paywalled—everyone deserves access to tools that help them do their best work. The app is a passion project funded by the creator, with a commitment to keeping core features free forever. Our philosophy: if it helps people achieve their goals, that's reward enough.
How do tasks and projects work?
Superhuman Flow lets you organize your work with tasks and projects. Press T to open the task panel where you can create tasks, group them into projects, and track time spent on each. When you select a task before starting a focus session, time is automatically logged to that task. View your task list anytime to see progress, mark tasks complete, and see exactly how much time you've invested in each project.
What is Strict Mode?
Strict Mode is an optional setting that requires you to select a task before starting any focus session. When enabled, you can't start the timer without choosing what you're working on. This ensures all your work is tracked and organized, perfect for freelancers tracking billable hours or anyone who wants complete visibility into how they spend their focus time. Toggle Strict Mode in the task panel settings.
What is Focus Score and how is it calculated?
Focus Score is your daily productivity metric (0-100) that appears after completing 3+ focus sessions. It's calculated from four factors: Completion Rate (40%) - how many sessions you finish vs skip, Daily Progress (30%) - sessions completed vs your daily target, Focus Quality (10%) - fewer pauses means deeper focus, and Self Rating (20%) - your energy/focus ratings. The score updates in real-time as you work, giving you instant feedback on your productivity patterns. Higher scores indicate better focus habits.
How does Activity tracking work?
The Activity panel (press A to open) automatically records every session with timestamps, creating a detailed timeline of your day. For each session, it tracks: session type (Focus/Short Break/Long Break), status (completed or skipped), duration and completion percentage, pause count (showing interruptions), and your optional 1-5 star rating. You also see a daily summary with total completed sessions, skipped sessions, total pauses, and average rating. All data stays on your device.
What are Smart Insights?
Smart Insights are personalized productivity messages that appear after you complete 3+ focus sessions. Based on your patterns (pause frequency, skip rate, ratings), you'll receive actionable feedback like "Exceptional focus! Zero interruptions - you're in the zone" for high scores, or "Frequent pauses detected. Try a quieter environment" when interruptions are high. Tap the info icon to see exactly how your Focus Score is calculated. We analyze patterns to help, not judge.
How do I rate my focus sessions?
After completing a focus session, you'll see a 1-5 star rating option in your Activity timeline. Rate based on your focus quality, energy levels, and how productive you felt. Tap the info icon next to "Rate this session" for guidance. Your ratings contribute to your Focus Score (20% weight) and help generate personalized insights. Rating is optional but recommended for getting the most accurate productivity feedback.
What is Picture-in-Picture mode?
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode creates a floating mini-timer that stays on top of other apps and browser tabs. Press P to activate. The compact timer shows your remaining time and play/pause control, perfect for multitasking—keep the timer visible while coding, reading documentation, or working in other applications. Drag to reposition anywhere on your screen. Click the floating timer to return to the full app. Works best in Chrome and Edge browsers.
What is Zoom mode?
Zoom mode (press Z) enlarges the timer to dominate your screen while fading away all other interface elements. It's designed for deep work when you want maximum focus with minimal distractions. The timer becomes the only prominent element, helping you stay aware of time without UI clutter. Great for presentations or when you want a clean, distraction-free countdown. Press Z again or tap the timer to exit.
What is Fullscreen mode?
Fullscreen mode (press F) combines browser fullscreen with Zoom mode for maximum immersion. It hides the browser chrome completely—no tabs, address bar, or bookmarks visible. This creates a truly distraction-free environment, perfect for extreme focus sessions, presentations, or meeting rooms. Press Escape or F to exit fullscreen mode.
How do ambient sounds work?
Press M to open the sound panel where you can choose from built-in ambient sounds like rain, forest, ocean, cafe, and fireplace. Mix multiple sounds together and adjust individual volume levels to create your perfect focus environment. The sounds are designed to mask distracting noises while remaining non-intrusive. Press Shift+M to quickly mute/unmute all sounds.
Can I play YouTube music while using the timer?
Yes! Superhuman Flow has YouTube integration that syncs with your timer. Add any YouTube video URL (lo-fi beats, study music, white noise) and it plays alongside your focus session. The smart sync feature automatically pauses the video when you pause your timer and resumes when you continue—no manual control needed. This works alongside or instead of the built-in ambient sounds.
Learn More About Productivity & Focus
Explore our comprehensive guides to mastering the Pomodoro Technique and improving your focus:
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Complete beginner's guide to understanding and using the Pomodoro Technique effectively
Pomodoro for ADHD
How to adapt the Pomodoro Technique for ADHD brains with time blindness and executive dysfunction
Deep Work vs Shallow Work
Understand the difference and learn strategies to maximize your deep work time
Why Aesthetic Design Matters
Discover why beautiful timer design actually makes you more productive