Timer
A simple drag-and-release timer app for macOS with keyboard shortcuts and notifications.
What is Timer?
Timer is a simple macOS application that allows users to set and manage timers through an intuitive drag-and-release interface. It solves the problem of needing a lightweight, native timer tool by providing quick setup, keyboard shortcuts, and completion notifications. The app is designed as a modern replacement for outdated dashboard widgets.
macOS users who need a fast, distraction-free timer for productivity, cooking, workouts, or other time-sensitive tasks.
Developers choose Timer for its minimalist design, efficient drag-and-release interaction, and seamless integration with macOS notifications and keyboard shortcuts, making it quicker to use than built-in or widget-based alternatives.
Overview
A simple Timer app for Mac
Use Cases
Best For
- Quickly setting timers during work sessions or Pomodoro technique
- Timing cooking or baking tasks in the kitchen
- Managing workout intervals or rest periods
- Replacing outdated macOS dashboard timer widgets
- Handling multiple simultaneous timers for different tasks
- Using keyboard shortcuts for rapid timer input and control
Not Ideal For
- Users on Windows, Linux, or older macOS versions before Sonoma
- Projects requiring automated timer triggers or integration with scripting tools
- Teams needing shared timer management or collaboration features
- Environments where drag-and-drop interfaces are less accessible or preferred
Pros & Cons
Pros
The drag-to-set arrow allows quick visual timer setting without complex menus, as highlighted in the README screenshots and description.
Supports keyboard input for time (e.g., '2.34' for minutes and seconds) and shortcuts like CMD+N for new timers, speeding up workflow for power users.
Provides retina-ready design and notifications with sound, seamlessly fitting into macOS 14 and later ecosystems for a polished experience.
Stays out of the way until needed, aligning with its philosophy of simplicity, making it ideal for distraction-free time management.
Cons
Only supports macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, excluding users on older systems or other operating systems, as stated in the README.
Missing common timer features like recurring alarms, custom notification sounds, or export options, which might limit use in complex scenarios.
Not available on the Mac App Store; requires download from GitHub or brew cask, which could be less convenient and secure for some users.
Frequently Asked Questions
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