> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pensiv.so/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 10.5.2 Manage focus time with timer and stopwatch

> Where to open it, how to use timer and stopwatch, settings, when to use

Pensiv includes a **timer and stopwatch** to help you focus while writing.

Use the timer to set a block of focus time, or the stopwatch to see how long you actually work.

***

## Where to find it

Click the ⏱ icon to the right of the top search bar.

The timer panel opens. You can choose:

* 5 min
* 30 min
* 50 min
* Drag the bar to set a custom duration
* Custom

You can switch between timer and stopwatch in the panel.

![Timer and stopwatch panel](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/24100a87-f568-4119-8737-ecdd32e8de5c/5c5d6661-8f2f-4110-be45-8cc8be7c19ed/image.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256\&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD\&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAZI2LB466RWCRTWDY%2F20260228%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request\&X-Amz-Date=20260228T215923Z\&X-Amz-Expires=3600\&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEJX%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIQCLklHaix%2B9LEOwTHW5Ll%2FHUYm51t9ZOB8f9eHQwRIGfQIgdBXwEluZ8eUDFbngidgO23P9ieG13kyAneZ%2BcMEF%2Bpcq%2FwMIXhAAGgw2Mzc0MjMxODM4MDUiDLTe%2Fddon8okED9G8CrcA%2BzP4GzrWC4WvK1gXLB2uSZYb%2FT%2BYjJVC5v4tPxRql%2Fad8GTharhGwvECLne7KquKycbya2k9KJJTq7xSgneMXdZzXr5IhwwL6tr3BJ9eHoWFQB%2BXn32gNDZEQoBqDBfhL4AoCuhH71Cor7lWWyJ228asIp7jC6tzaadDKy3HddNZPV%2BSWWM%2FIFFR9SRIDeRDEVGUdc7GDprI%2Bk4Vr%2FHL5NHlhGDCluUjvBByB6nXvKtvlZCdTTR60ziJpsBQ3UtZgSyXowYJLtfKw0UJImABgo8OzV5ycSGCjbx5RAvWbipIvoOGZt2XYHtLPZU2CGkckgr%2B5jOa4Qao1zw2W660%2BC1mLNglIUjO1d23TuSFqK8VdaZDqfd8W2V3IPlwJLoo1rv%2FkAhVDRWNkE%2Fcjn1cb7r%2FPneRi0ZqwqrXcR75Eg60lPfHE7OL%2BlMFzIAzVNuXTFwQsEG%2Ftr4jmBVBZRPGdK6Jm1%2Be%2FOrQSfvWtukdVSQ4nndJlz6Eq%2BzFZXXoino2QeWmYJoy3PPF5yAwfJzHK1JXpvfH1W8mtYDf%2BFpL5A%2BOH9QH%2B9rGEHMvtiow%2FjUbyVBHMAGBktLWIkS9B6FFFfToSmb9dp1gLaBOTzvjmvhSNIzfvvlzgMSZAmLMJOrjc0GOqUBL8sD4jxLpihZbKvbb7RN8tNbd9wfloDL%2F0J9zNTblpBp9n%2Bx2gadTUSMltaTw0bzPxl6mDjrQPZs9zo9Niveb%2BAdQaRnzAgHa0EcA0ubGtw%2FHD%2FSNhq9BT3Y5H5Mj%2F6alTqUfeNmSz7bV0OJdlZHRSIhJdcvRdfRbMihLdpOY2gBRjS4pPgIvSGY%2BkRDxbmOxnZbkAgRjZM2zK%2FttdsDYtYOtzZI\&X-Amz-Signature=9bd44b105b1ae60355e9630eaa1fb7b3a0bd6339f83653752c87abc231618445\&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host\&x-amz-checksum-mode=ENABLED\&x-id=GetObject)

***

## Using the timer

Use the timer when you want to **work for a fixed block of time**.

### How

1. Click the ⏱ icon
2. Pick a duration (e.g. 5 / 30 / 50 min)
3. Click Start

The countdown runs. When it ends, you have a clear end to the session.

***

## Using the stopwatch

Use the stopwatch when you want to **measure how long you work**.

### How

1. In the ⏱ panel, choose “Stopwatch”
2. Click Start
3. Click Stop when you finish

Total time is shown. Helpful for tracking writing habits or actual writing speed.

***

## Changing timer settings

You can adjust details in settings.

Path: **Settings → Plugins → Timer**

Options:

### 1️⃣ Timer presets

Quick-select durations (e.g. 5 / 30 / 50 min). You can change these to your preferred lengths.

### 2️⃣ Default mode

Choose the default: Timer or Stopwatch.

### 3️⃣ Floating widget

You can show a draggable timer widget on the screen.

### 4️⃣ Menu bar style

* Compact
* Expanded

Choose how the timer appears in the menu bar.

***

## When to use it

### First draft

Set a 50‑minute timer and write in short focused blocks.

### Revision

Use 30‑minute blocks for revision sessions.

### Tracking productivity

Use the stopwatch to see how long you actually write.

***

## What the timer is for

The timer doesn’t write for you.

It **creates boundaries** so you can plan focus.

Being aware of writing time helps keep pace and efficiency steady.

***

## Summary

* Open it from the ⏱ icon at the top.
* You can use either timer or stopwatch.
* Adjust presets and mode in Settings.
* Use it for focus blocks and for measuring work time.

The timer makes writing time visible.