Productivity
Pomodoro Timer and Simplified Interface for focused work sessions.
What’s in This Section
Productivity tools help you maintain focus and manage your work time. These features are especially helpful for users who struggle with time awareness, procrastination, or getting overwhelmed by complex interfaces.
Features: Pomodoro Timer, Text Statistics, Simplified Interface
Pomodoro Timer
What It Does
A time management tool based on the Pomodoro Technique. Work in focused intervals (typically 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. Helps maintain concentration and prevents burnout.
How to Enable
- Click the AssisT icon
- Open the Focus group
- Toggle Pomodoro Timer ON
How It Works
- Click Start to begin a focus session
- Work until the timer completes (a tone plays and a short message appears)
- Take a short break (press Start, or turn on Auto-start breaks to have it begin on its own)
- Repeat — after 4 cycles, take a longer break
Default Intervals
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Focus session | 25 minutes |
| Short break | 5 minutes |
| Long break | 15 minutes |
| Sessions until long break | 4 |
Timer Display
The timer is a small widget on the page. Drag it, minimise it to a small button, or close it. Pick its corner with Timer position.
Notifications
- A tone when a session or break ends (Sound notifications)
- A short on-page message
- The timer ring changes colour for breaks
Settings
- Work duration - 5 to 60 minutes, 25 by default
- Break duration - 1 to 30 minutes, 5 by default
- Long break - 5 to 45 minutes, 15 by default
- Timer position - which corner of the page the timer sits in
- Auto-start breaks - begin the break timer without you clicking, off by default
- Sound notifications - a sound when a session or break ends, on by default
Want more control? See Pomodoro Timer Deep Dive.
Text Statistics
What It Does
Displays a live word count, character count, sentence count, paragraph count, and estimated reading time for the current page or selected text. Useful for gauging reading load before starting an assignment.
How to Enable
Text Statistics is off by default. Turn it on when you need it:
- Click the AssisT icon
- Open the Reading group
- Toggle Show Text Stats ON
Your on/off choice is saved and persists across popup open/close and browser sessions.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+W | Show/hide Text Statistics panel |
What It Shows
| Stat | Description |
|---|---|
| Words | Total word count |
| Characters | Total character count (with spaces) |
| Sentences | Estimated sentence count |
| Paragraphs | Paragraph count |
| Reading time | Estimated minutes at average reading speed |
Tips
- Select a portion of text first to get stats for just that section
- Use reading time to plan study sessions
- Combine with Pomodoro Timer — know how long a chapter will take before you start
Simplified Interface
What It Does
Reduces visual complexity of websites by hiding or simplifying UI elements. Removes distractions like ads, pop-ups, share buttons, sidebars and recommendation panels.
How to Enable
- Click the AssisT icon
- Open the Focus group
- Toggle Simplified Interface ON
- Choose an Intensity
Intensity Levels
| Level | What It Hides |
|---|---|
| Light (ads & popups only) | Ads, pop-ups, share buttons |
| Moderate (recommended) | + Sidebars, comment sections, related and recommended items |
| Aggressive (main content only) | + Page footers |
Moderate is the default. AssisT never hides navigation menus. Cookie banners are hidden only where the site marks them as such.
Highlight Main Content
As well as the intensity, Simplified Interface has a Highlight main content switch, on by default. It keeps the main area of the page layered above the rest, and it rarely changes how the page looks.
The intensity is a single global setting. There is no per-site level: pick the intensity that suits how you read, and turn the whole feature off on a page where it hides something you need.
Tips
- Start with Light and increase if needed
- Aggressive may hide something you need on some sites
- Toggle off temporarily if you can’t find something
For Educators & Parents
Why Productivity Matters
For students with ADHD:
- Pomodoro provides external time structure
- Simplified Interface reduces visual distractions
- Regular breaks prevent hyperfocus burnout
- Clear work/break boundaries aid transitions
For students with executive function difficulties:
- Timer eliminates need to track time mentally
- Notifications prompt next steps
- Visual progress shows accomplishment
- Structured routine builds good habits
For students who get overwhelmed:
- Simplified Interface removes visual noise
- Focused work periods feel manageable
- Breaks provide regular recovery time
Classroom Tips
- Start with 15-20 minute sessions for younger students
- Use Pomodoro for homework — builds independent time management
- Enable Simplified Interface during tests — reduces distraction
- Customise break activities — stretching, water, quick walk
Pomodoro for Different Ages
| Age Group | Recommended Focus | Break |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 10-15 min | 3-5 min |
| Middle School | 15-25 min | 5 min |
| High School | 25-30 min | 5-10 min |
| College | 25-50 min | 5-15 min |
Building the Habit
- Week 1: Try 2-3 Pomodoro sessions per day
- Week 2: Increase to 4-5 sessions
- Week 3: Adjust timings based on what works
- Ongoing: Use consistently during study time
Privacy Note
Pomodoro Timer works entirely locally. No session data, timing, or productivity metrics are collected or transmitted.
Learn More
- Pomodoro Timer Deep Dive — All settings and advanced features
- User Profiles — ADHD Focus profile includes Pomodoro
- Visual Comfort — Reduce visual distractions further