How to Use the Pomodoro Technique (Step by Step)

By NUR Technologies · October 28, 2026 · 5 min read

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple way to work in short, focused blocks with breaks in between. It was created by Francesco Cirillo, and it is popular because you can start in one minute with nothing but a timer.

The classic steps

1. Choose one taskDecide what you will work on, and only that.
2. Set a 25-minute timerOne focus block is called a pomodoro.
3. Work until it ringsDo nothing else. If something distracting comes up, write it down for later.
4. Take a short breakAbout 5 minutes: stand up, drink water, look away from the screen.
5. Repeat, then take a longer breakAfter four pomodoros, take a longer break (commonly 15 to 30 minutes).

Why it works for many people

• A small, clear block is easier to start than “work on this all day”.
• The break is planned, so you do not have to feel guilty about resting.
• Counting pomodoros shows you what you really did, not what you meant to do.

Making it stick on a Mac

The technique is easy; keeping it going is the hard part. Pomorito is a pomodoro timer for Mac built around that: you write one task per pomodoro, it blocks the apps and sites that distract you while you focus, and it shows your day and week by task, project and hour. It runs on your Mac with no account.