lampmatesHow to use the timer
Three steps are enough. Choose a duration that suits your task, press start, then let time pass without checking the clock every thirty seconds. That is precisely what the timer saves you from. The bar empties, the bell rings and you decide what comes next: stop, keep going or take a proper break.
Press the space bar to pause and resume without leaving the keyboard while you write. The remaining time also appears in the tab title, so you can find a document or reply to a message without losing your place.
25, 50 or 90 minutes: which should you choose?
Twenty-five minutes is the easiest commitment when you are avoiding a task: short enough to skip the negotiation, long enough to make real progress. Fifty minutes works when you need time to get into a subject — a report, an assignment or code to review. Ninety minutes suits work that needs sustained attention, though you may feel more tired at the end.
The best setting is the one you will use again tomorrow, not the most impressive one. If you are unsure, start with 25 and only change after three sessions.
Where the Pomodoro method comes from
The method comes from an Italian student, Francesco Cirillo, who used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer — pomodoro. The idea was simple: split work into short blocks, stick with them and then really stop. It is not an exact science, and 25 minutes is not magic. What helps is the agreement you make with yourself for a limited time.
A timer helps you start, but does not keep you company
A timer helps you get started. It does not replace having someone beside you: many people find it hard to work alone. In that case, the duration matters less than knowing someone else is working at the same time.
That is what Lampmates does: a room where everyone has a desk, a lamp that lights up while they work and the same timer options. No need to talk or share your screen — just company and the chance to take a break together between sessions.
What if you started this session alongside someone?
Visit the demo without an account: choose a seat, turn on your lamp and see who is there.
Visit the room ↗Frequently asked questions
How long should a work session be?
Twenty-five minutes to start a task you have been avoiding, fifty for work that needs momentum, ninety for a subject that needs sustained attention. The right setting is the one you will use again tomorrow.
Does the timer work without an account?
Yes. There is nothing to install or create: the timer starts right on this page. An account only becomes useful when you want to meet friends in the room and keep track of your sessions.
Does the timer keep going if I switch tabs?
Yes, as long as the timer tab stays open. The remaining time is calculated from the end time, so a background tab will not throw off your session. Closing the tab stops the countdown.
How long should the break be?
Five minutes after a short session, fifteen to twenty after a long one. A break is not a reward: it makes the next session possible. Stand up, drink some water and look at something other than a screen.
Why 25 minutes rather than an hour?
Because 25 minutes is short enough to agree to start and long enough to make progress. That is where the Pomodoro method comes from: short blocks, a proper break, then repeat. It is a starting point, not a rule.
Is a timer enough to help me focus?
It helps, but it only addresses part of the problem: starting. What is often missing next is other people's presence. Working alone at home takes more energy than working beside someone. That is exactly what Lampmates offers.