Timer

How the Timer Works

Unlike Pomodoro timers with fixed intervals, Set’s timer is flexible and tracks your actual work time. It counts up from zero, showing you exactly how long you’ve been working on a task or break.

The timer runs in the background, so you can switch apps or lock your phone without losing your progress. Both tasks and breaks from your Today view appear in the Timer view.

Timer Controls

▶️ Play/Pause

Tap the large timer or the play button to start or pause timing.

Long-press the play button to reset the current task’s timer to zero.

⬅️➡️ Navigate

Use the left and right arrows to move between tasks and breaks.

Skip without losing progress: When you navigate away from a running task and return to it, your elapsed time is preserved exactly where you left off. Your progress is never lost when switching between tasks.

✅ Complete

Press the Complete button to mark the current task or break as done and move to the next item.

Overtime Counting

When a task’s estimated time runs out, the timer continues counting — into negative time. This recreates the feeling of a deadline ticking past, helping you stay aware of how much overtime you’re spending and motivating you to wrap up.

The timer display turns red to signal overtime.

Timer Subtask Checklist

View and check off your subtasks directly from the Timer page — without leaving your focus session.

If the current task has subtasks, a checklist appears below the timer. Tap any subtask to mark it complete. Your progress is saved immediately.

Floating Timer (macOS)

On macOS, you can open a mini floating timer window that stays visible on top of all your other apps. See the current task name and time remaining while you work — without switching back to Set.

To open: tap the floating window icon in the Timer toolbar.

Customization

🎨 Color Mode

Tap the task name or project label to cycle between color modes:

• Project: Color based on the task’s project
• Priority: Color based on task priority (Urgent, High, Medium, Low)
• Accent: Use your app’s accent color

🌓 Dark Mode

Long press the Progress percentage (bottom left) to toggle between light and dark mode.

📱 Minimal Mode

Long press anywhere on the background to toggle minimal mode. This hides all UI elements except the large timer, perfect for distraction-free focus.

Long Press Actions

The Timer view supports several long press gestures:

• Background: Toggle minimal mode (hide/show all controls)
• Large Timer: Switch between showing elapsed time or remaining time
• Progress (bottom left): Toggle dark mode on/off
• Small Timer (bottom right): Toggle between showing minutes only or full time format
• Play Button: Reset the current task’s timer to zero

Keyboard Shortcuts (macOS)

• Spacebar: Play/Pause the timer

Live Activities (iOS 17+)

When you start a timer on iOS 17 or later, Set displays a Live Activity on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island (iPhone 14 Pro and later).

🔒 Lock Screen

See your current task and timer without unlocking your phone.

🏝️ Dynamic Island

Running timer visible at the top of your screen (iPhone 14 Pro+).