Question 1

What is a focus sprint?

Accepted Answer

A focus sprint is a short, timed writing session, 25 minutes by default, followed by a 5-minute break. After four sprints you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. Sprints turn a big writing goal into small sessions you can actually start.

Question 2

How long should a focus session be?

Accepted Answer

Start with 25 minutes. If you are only just warming up when the alarm rings, try 50-minute sessions with 10-minute breaks for deep drafting or revision. For fast first drafts and word sprints, 15-minute sessions with 3-minute breaks keep the pressure on. You can change every length in Settings.

Question 3

How do I make my writing sessions distraction-free?

Accepted Answer

Decide what the sprint is for before you press Start, close every tab except your draft, put your phone in another room and turn on your editor's full-screen mode. Save research and edits for later sprints, and use the break to note what you wrote.

Question 4

Will the alarm ring if I switch to another tab?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When a sprint or break starts, the alarm is scheduled with your browser's audio engine, so it rings on time while you write in another tab or app, as long as a Focus Sprints tab stays open. Turn on desktop notifications for a visible alert as well. On phones and tablets, keep the page open and turn on Keep screen awake, because mobile browsers pause pages when the screen locks.

Question 5

Where are my session notes saved?

Accepted Answer

Only in this browser, in local storage on your device. A sprint is sent to Pacemaker only if you are logged in and save it to one of your plans. Clearing your browser data deletes your journal, so use Download CSV to keep a copy.

Question 6

Is Focus Sprints free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is free to use, with no account, sign-up or download.

Question 7

Can I track my word count across a whole project?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pacemaker, the word count planner behind Focus Sprints, turns a word count goal and a deadline into a daily writing schedule and tracks your progress as you go. It is free to start.

Kind of work	Sprint / break	Why it works
First drafts and word sprints	15 / 3 min	Short sprints outrun your inner editor. Popular for NaNoWriMo-style challenges.
Novels and long-form drafting	25 / 5 min	The classic rhythm, easy to repeat across a whole writing day.
Revision, thesis and academic writing	50 / 10 min	Enough time to hold a complex argument or structure in your head.
Translation, editing and proofreading	25 / 5 min	Regular breaks keep your eye for detail sharp.
Studying and exam prep	25 / 5 min, 20 min long break	Frequent breaks help you review and remember material.

Focus Sprints Calm, distraction-free focus sessions for writers