Mastering the FocusBox Interface

Mastering the FocusBox Interface

Introduction

FocusBox is designed to help you stay focused, manage tasks efficiently, and optimize your workflow. With its AI-powered templates, deep work sessions, full-screen immersive mode, and customizable settings, FocusBox makes it easy to structure your day and boost productivity.

This guide will walk you through each section of the FocusBox interface, including projects, templates, tasks, full-screen mode, and settings.

1. Sidebar (Main Navigation)

The sidebar has three entries, and it opens on Today.

What is in the Sidebar:

  • Today – Everything scheduled for today, with an Inbox row above it for tasks you have captured but not scheduled yet. The entry shows two counts: tasks on Today and tasks waiting in the inbox.
  • Private Notes – A scratchpad for thoughts and ideas, kept separate from your tasks.
  • Projects – Your projects as photo cards or a compact list. Each card shows the total duration, how many tasks are left, and a Start button. Use the icons next to the heading to view archived projects, switch to the compact list, or add a project.

Pro Tip: The sidebar button in the header collapses or expands the sidebar. On a phone the sidebar is collapsed by default.

2. The Header (Top Navigation Bar)

The header bar stays visible on every page.

What is in the Header:

  • Logo – Takes you back to Today.
  • Create Button (+ Create) – Start a new project, generate one with AI, or convert a to-do list into tasks.
  • Quick-add – Press N anywhere in the app to open a box in the header. Type a task, press Enter, and it lands in your inbox with your default duration. Esc closes the box.
  • Integrations – Import tasks from Todoist, Asana, ClickUp, Notion, Jira, or Google Calendar.
  • Settings – The gear opens a panel with three tabs: Timer settings, Sounds, and Celebrations.
  • Account Menu – Insights, account settings, team, language, theme, and sign out.

Pro Tip: Quick-add works while a task is running. Capture the thought, then get back to the timer.

Managing Projects & Tasks

3. Today (Your Home Screen)

Today is where you land when you sign in. It shows what you have scheduled for the day and one place to start working.

Main Sections:

  • Toolbar – Add Task opens quick-add. Plan my day picks tasks from your projects for today. Optimize my day reorders them around your calendar and energy. Shut down closes the day with a short review.
  • Inbox – Tasks captured with quick-add or imported into My Tasks that are not scheduled yet. Today puts one on today's list; Start puts it on the list and starts its timer at once. The row collapses if you prefer a shorter view.
  • Today's List – Your scheduled tasks in order, each with its duration. The timer bar at the bottom runs the first task; use the +10 min / −5 min controls, add a background sound, or expand into full-screen mode.

Your first visit: with no projects yet, Today asks "What do you want to get done?". Describe it and FocusBox builds the plan with AI, or start blank, use a template, or import from a tool you already use.

Pro Tip: Keep Today short. Anything that does not need doing today belongs in the inbox or a project, not on the list.

4. Creating and Managing Projects

Projects in FocusBox allow you to organize your workflow efficiently.

Key Features in Projects:

  • Project Name & Description – Clearly define the goal of each project.
  • Task List – A structured list of tasks with assigned durations.
  • Timers & Durations – Set time durations for each task to stay on schedule.
  • Start Button – Begin a Focus Session instantly.
  • Task Progress Indicators – View tasks in progress, completed, or pending.
  • Full-Screen Mode – Expand the timer into a distraction-free immersive mode from the timer bar.

Pro Tip: Adjust task durations and enable auto-play tasks to automate your focus workflow.

5. Understanding Templates

FocusBox provides AI-powered templates to help you quickly set up structured workflows.

Types of Templates Available:

  • Personal Templates – Create and save your own project structure.
  • ADHD Daily Management – Templates designed to improve focus and manage distractions.
  • AI-Generated Timers – Pre-configured deep work sessions with structured breaks.
  • Career Development – Task lists and timers designed for professional growth.

How to Use a Template:

  1. Go to Templates from the sidebar.
  2. Browse the Categories – Find a template that fits your workflow.
  3. Click “Use Template” – Apply the structure to a new project.
  4. Customize Tasks & Durations – Adjust the workflow to fit your needs.
  5. Start Your Session – Begin working with a pre-planned task breakdown.

Pro Tip: Use AI-generated timers to structure deep work sessions with focus-rest cycles.

Customizing Focus Sessions

6. Timer and Session Controls

FocusBox allows flexible time management to optimize your productivity.

Key Features in Timer Settings:

  • Default Task Duration – Set a standard time for all tasks.
  • Increase/Decrease Duration – Adjust timers dynamically during a session.
  • Complete & Auto-Play Tasks – Automatically transition to the next task after completion.
  • Energy Audit – Reflect on whether a task boosted or drained your energy.

Pro Tip: Use the auto-play setting to maintain a seamless deep work session.

7. Full-Screen Mode and Background Customization

FocusBox provides a distraction-free full-screen mode to help you stay focused.

How to Enter Full-Screen Mode:

  1. Click the expand button at the right end of the timer bar.
  2. Your tasks, timers, and session controls will expand for a clean, immersive view.
  3. Work distraction-free with AI-powered structured sessions.

How to Change Background Images:

  1. Click on Settings > Backgrounds.
  2. Select an image from the gallery (City, Beach, Coffee, Nature, etc.).
  3. The selected image will apply to the full-screen mode.

Pro Tip: Choose a background that inspires deep focus and matches your work style.

8. Task Completion Celebrations

To keep motivation high, FocusBox includes celebration animations when tasks are completed.

Key Features in Celebration Settings:

  • Confetti, Fireworks, and Balloons – Choose a celebration effect.
  • Duration Setting – Adjust the length of the animation.
  • Custom Animations – Assign different effects for different types of tasks.

Pro Tip: Enable celebrations to make completing tasks fun and rewarding.

Managing Integrations

9. Integrations & Automation

FocusBox allows you to import tasks from external tools for a streamlined workflow.

Supported Integrations:

  • Todoist – Import tasks and keep them in sync with FocusBox.
  • Asana – Import and track projects from Asana.
  • ClickUp – Bring ClickUp tasks into FocusBox.
  • Notion – Import tasks from a Notion database.
  • Jira – Import issues as tasks.
  • Google Calendar – Bring calendar events into your day.

How to Integrate:

  1. Click the Integrations icon in the header.
  2. Select the tool you want to connect.
  3. Authenticate & Import – Choose what to bring in and work on it inside FocusBox.

Pro Tip: Imported tasks land in My Tasks and show up in the Inbox on Today until you schedule them.

Conclusion

Mastering the FocusBox interface helps you work smarter, not harder. With Today as your home screen, quick-add for capture, AI-powered task management, immersive full-screen mode, and customizable backgrounds, you can optimize your workflow effortlessly.

  • ✅ Start by creating a project
  • ✅ Use AI-powered templates to organize work efficiently
  • ✅ Customize focus sessions & full-screen backgrounds
  • ✅ Track progress and complete tasks with motivation

👉 Start using FocusBox now! 🚀

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