This Mac Pomodoro Timer Syncs With Any Playlist

To say that we've covered a few Pomorodo timers over the years would be a pretty dramatic understatement, but some ideas are flexible enough to be done several different ways. Productivity, after all, is flexible, and what works for one person might not work for everyone.

With that in mind, here's yet another Pomodoro timer: Pure Focus, a Mac app that pauses Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube when it's time to take a break. The application, made by indie developer Julian Lacroix, offers a free version that can pause your music when your timer runs out, which is all most people are going to want. The paid version, which costs one dollar a month or $15 as a one-time purchase, adds a floating window with your timer, the ability to switch between breaks and work sessions automatically, and a keyboard shortcut for starting sessions.

I tested the application using Spotify and it worked as expected, starting my current playlist or music when the session begins and pausing when time is up. There's also an optional "meditation" sound that plays when your work begins, which I like.

Credit: Justin Pot

Do you prefer YouTube for your focus sounds? This application also supports using any YouTube video as a moment." The idea here seems to be using certain music compilations found on the video site for background music, all without the need to keep a browser window open. The video itself is mostly hidden, visible only as a small thumbnail when you open the menu bar icon.

This is a very simple application, granted, but I think it's going to scratch a specific itch for some people. I, for one, found while testing that having my music pause when it's time for a break made it more likely that I actually got up for few minutes. Maybe this will work for you too.