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Proximate timers let you set countdowns that stay visible right next to your cursor. Whether you’re timing a meeting, a break, or a deploy window, you’ll always know how much time is left without switching context.

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Creating a Timer

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Quick-Start

The fastest way to set a timer is with the quick-start input. Trigger it by selecting Custom… from the tray menu or by pressing the Set Timer keyboard shortcut (unbound by default — assign one in Settings → General → Keyboard Shortcuts). A small text field appears right next to your cursor. Type a duration in whatever format makes sense — 25m, 1:30, 2h, 90 (bare numbers are treated as minutes) — and press Enter. The timer starts immediately and the input disappears.

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Tray Menu Presets

For common durations, click the Proximate icon in the menu bar or taskbar and choose from preset options: 5, 10, 15, 25, 45, or 60 minutes. The timer starts with a single click — no typing needed.

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Visual Styles

Choose how your timer looks in Settings → Timers. Three styles are available:

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Color Stages

As a timer counts down, its color shifts through four stages to give you an at-a-glance sense of urgency: All four stage colors are configurable in Settings → Timers.

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Managing Active Timers

  • Pause / Resume: Available from the tray menu under each active timer.
  • Dismiss: Remove a timer before it finishes.
  • Clear Completed: Remove all finished timers at once, via the tray menu or a keyboard shortcut (unbound by default).
You can run multiple timers simultaneously — each appears as a separate element beside your cursor.