FAQ
Questions about FocusCrew
What is FocusCrew?
A Pomodoro timer you run alongside other people. You set a length, work until it ends, and the time you focused is recorded — on your own and, if you join a crew, next to the people you agreed to show up with.
See how it worksWhat is a crew?
A small group — usually three to five people — with a recurring window when you all intend to focus. Nobody schedules you and nobody is matched with you: you join a crew with a code, or find a public one, and the window is a shared intention rather than an appointment.
See how crews workDoes anyone see my screen or my camera?
No. There is no video, no audio and no screen sharing anywhere in FocusCrew, and there is nothing to install. Your crew sees that you are focusing and how long for — never what you are working on, unless you choose to label a session.
Is FocusCrew free?
Yes. The timer, crews, XP, streaks and badges are free and stay free — that is the core of the product, not a trial. A paid tier with more depth is planned, and it is not available yet.
See what is freeWhat happens if I close the tab or my laptop sleeps?
The session keeps running, because it lives on the server rather than in your browser. Reopen FocusCrew on any device and the same timer is still counting, with the right time left. If a session is abandoned entirely, it is closed and credited what it was planned for rather than the hours the tab sat open.
What are XP, levels and streaks for?
They are a record of showing up, not a score to beat. XP is earned per minute of completed focus, your level is derived from it, and a streak counts the days you focused at least once. All three exist to make starting easier tomorrow.
Read the glossaryWhat happens when I break a streak?
Nothing punishing. FocusCrew never shows red, never scolds and never marks anyone as behind — a restarted streak reads as day one of a new run, and your longest run stays visible. Missing a day is information, not a failure.
What data does FocusCrew keep?
Your account, your sessions and their lengths, and anything you choose to add such as tasks or labels. Sessions are never analysed for content because there is no content to analyse. You can delete your account from Settings at any time.
Read the privacy policyHow long is a session?
Five, twenty-five, fifty or seventy-five minutes, or open-ended until you stop it. Twenty-five is the classic pomodoro and a sensible default; the longer blocks suit work that takes a while to get into.
See how a session worksDo I need a crew to use FocusCrew?
No. The timer works on its own and everything you record — sessions, XP, streaks, badges — is yours whether or not you ever join one. A crew adds people to show up alongside; it is not a requirement for using the product.
How do I start or join a crew?
Create one and share its code with the people you want in it, or browse public crews and join without a code. A crew is usually three to five people, and it has a recurring window when you all intend to focus.
See how crews workWhat happens if I miss my crew’s window?
Nothing. The window is a shared intention rather than an appointment, so there is no attendance record, no penalty and nobody is notified that you were absent. You can focus at any other time and it still counts.
Does FocusCrew work on a phone?
Yes. It runs in the browser on any device and can be added to a home screen, and because a running session lives on the server you can start one on a laptop and finish it on a phone with the right time left.
What is body doubling?
Working alongside someone else so that their presence helps you start and stay with a task. It is the idea a crew is built on, and it is the reason FocusCrew shows you that others are focusing rather than what they are doing.
Read the thinking behind it