Option to automatically start timer when the application starts

[tapir]

Eventhough the application starts automatically in the background when I login, I always forget to start the timer and it's already too late when I notice I didn't take any breaks. Could you add an option to autostart menu to autostart timer as well?

[kamilprusko]

The same issue is with pausing the timer - it's easy to forget to resume it. I'd prefer not to auto-start the timer - sure, it's a desired behaviour for a time tracker, but it violates the principles of the Pomodoro Technique. Starting a new Pomodoro should be intentional... I think better approach would be to show a reminder.

A proper implementation would be tricky, as it would need to know which window is focused + classify it as "work" + have access to idle monitor. Likely it needs to be implemented in the extension (don't want it to be too complex); and likely it will be error-prone.

A naive implementation could look at time of day (aka. productivity window), if the timer is stopped and user unlocked the screen -> show a reminder. For resuming the timer it could just pop a reminder after 10 minutes / after unlocking the screen. Maybe you have better idea?

[tapir]

Is all that detailed work just to have a reminder in the end really worth it? just to not conflict with the definition of "Pomodoro Technique"? You could just provide this as an option and not enable it by default and let your users decide. Honestly I don't care about what the technique is, I need to take breaks for my health and I keep forgetting about it...

[OlolaUA]

Is all that detailed work just to have a reminder in the end really worth it? just to not conflict with the definition of "Pomodoro Technique"? You could just provide this as an option and not enable it by default and let your users decide. Honestly I don't care about what the technique is, I need to take breaks for my health and I keep forgetting about it...

100% agree with tapir. I need option to autostart after reboot\power on as new session.

[kamilprusko]

Update on this: starting the app with flags such as --start-pomodoroor--reset` now work as expected. Previously timer options only controlled the running app.

Command to run the app in the background, starting the Pomodoro:

flatpak run io.github.focustimerhq.FocusTimer --gapplication-service --reset --start-pomodoro

Changes: 4129971 8aff038