Integrated Focus Timer vs Standalone Apps
You have a To-Do list app (Todoist). You have a Pomodoro app (Forest). You have a Habit app (Streaks). Every time you switch between them, you leak mental energy.
The Cost of Alt-Tab
Productivity experts call this Context Switching. It takes an average of 23 minutes to regain deep focus after an interruption. Flipping between apps to "start a timer" is a micro-interruption that breaks your flow.
The Integrated Advantage
In MainQuest, the Focus Timer is baked into the Quest.
- You click a Quest ("Write Article").
- You click "Start Focus".
- The timer starts immediately with the quest context.
When the timer ends, the XP goes directly to that specific quest. There is no manual entry. No "syncing." Just flow.
XP for Effort, Not Just Results
Standalone timers track time. Integrated RPG timers track Effort. Spending 25 minutes on a hard task grants you Intelligence usage XP, leveling up your deep work stats. It connects the act of working to the reward of growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MainQuest support Pomodoro?
Yes. MainQuest has a built-in Focus Timer with customizable durations (Pomodoro, Infinite, Stopwatch) linked directly to your quests.
Can I track focus time for specific skills?
Yes. Every focus session in MainQuest is tagged to a Skill (e.g., Coding, Writing), allowing you to level up specific stats based on time invested.
Is it better to use a standalone timer?
Standalone timers are fine for general focus, but they lack context. You know *that* you worked, but not *what* you worked on. MainQuest solves this by linking time to tasks.