Frequently Asked Questions

Fostie is built for the menu bar and nothing else: the active timer counts down next to your clock, one click plays or pauses it, and a global hotkey starts a new one by typing. It handles multiple named timers, Pomodoro breaks, stopwatches, notifications, Shortcuts and local focus stats, in a native SwiftUI app that feels at home on macOS.

You can download Fostie directly from the Mac App Store. Simply search for 'Fostie' or visit the App Store link on our website. Fostie works on all modern macOS versions and installs in seconds.

Yes. Set any duration from one second to 23 hours 59 minutes, or tap a preset (5, 15, 25 or 60 minutes) and your recent durations. Each timer can end once, repeat, hand off to a Pomodoro break of your chosen length, or count up as a stopwatch.

Press Option-Command-T anywhere on your Mac and type a duration with an optional name, like "25 deep work", "1h30m reading" or "90s eggs". Press Return and the timer starts. The shortcut can be changed or turned off in Settings.

Yes. You get a macOS notification with a Restart action and a completion sound. Pick the sound and its volume in Settings, or turn either one off.

Yes. Fostie provides Start Timer, Pause Active Timer and Create Timer actions for Shortcuts, so a focus block can trigger the rest of your setup, or be triggered by it.

Fostie keeps simple focus statistics for today and the last seven days. Everything is stored locally on your Mac and can be cleared at any time.

Absolutely! Fostie works completely offline and all your data stays locally on your Mac. We don't collect, store, or transmit any personal information. Your timer sessions, preferences, and productivity data remain private and secure on your device.

Create as many named timers as you like and drag them into the order you want. Only one runs at a time, so starting a timer pauses the active one, and the running timer is always the one shown in the menu bar.

Fostie combines the proven Pomodoro Technique with modern macOS design principles. Unlike cluttered productivity suites, Fostie focuses solely on helping you maintain deep focus through visual progress tracking, intuitive controls, and seamless system integration.

Fostie is a one-time purchase of $2.99 on the Mac App Store. That includes all current and future features, with no subscriptions or in-app purchases.

Of course! We're here to help. If you experience any issues or have questions about using Fostie, please contact us at hello@fostie.app. We typically respond within 24 hours and are committed to helping you get the most out of your focus sessions.