/pomodoro-hard-mode

:alarm_clock: :tomato: A pomodoro timer that is hard to ignore.

Primary LanguagePythonMIT LicenseMIT

pomodoro-hard-mode

A pomodoro timer that is hard to ignore.
Different from other gazillion timers because it will force you to take a break, no matter you like it or not.
Useful for stubborn/stupid people like me who ignore normal soft timers despite being suffering from neck/back/eyes strain.

Intro

  • A python script running in an infinite loop, which will keep pestering you periodically to force you to take breaks.
  • It can currently do the following tricks:
    • Display a dialog box which is hard to ignore/hide/minimize.
    • Play a sound on repeat.
    • Turn screen off.
    • Display remaining time (in minutes) on the statusbar. statusbar-screenshot
  • It can also pause itself while the screen is locked, to prevent the dialog and sound while the laptop is locked and unattended.
  • You are supposed to work without distractions for 25 minutes and then take a break for 5 minutes.
  • Note that when the screen is unlocked, the timer starts afresh from beginning, assuming that you would have already taken a break while you're gone.
  • The script will sleep for 25 minutes if you press OK, and 5 minutes if you press Snooze before pestering you.
  • The time intervals are configurable in main_loop.py.
  • To not the see the dialog ever again, press Finish to kill the script.
  • Right now only supported on Mac.
  • Tip: Snooze can be used as both: To extend the current working session for 5 minutes, or to just measure the 5-minute break.

dialog-screenshot

Setup

  • Install dependencies:
    >> python3 -m pip install setproctitle rumps pyobjc

  • Execute it manually and run in background:

    cd src
nohup python3 pomodoro.py &!

  • To check if its running, execute ps -A | grep "pomodoro" | grep -v grep.
    You should see 4 processes.
    grep-screenshot

  • To make it run automatically at startup:

    • Modify the path on line 10 and 19 in the .plist file to point to the pomodoro.py script and its parent directory respectively.
    • Copy the plist file to ~/Library/LaunchAgents.

Todo

  • Add support for Windows and Linux:
    • If native screen state change observer API is missing, then create one using timer loops.
    • Find out equivalent commands for playing sound, turning off screen, displaying dialog.
  • Get code reviewed.
  • Make it configurable to turn off optional features like playing sound, turning screen off etc.