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The Break Screen is a full-screen overlay that appears when a Screen Break or Pomodoro break period starts. It covers your entire display to enforce the break.

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What’s Displayed

The Break Screen shows:
  • Plan name — which plan triggered the break
  • Countdown timer — time remaining until the break ends
  • Current date and time — so you stay oriented

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Controls

Depending on your plan’s protection settings, the Break Screen may show these controls:
ControlDescription
Skip BreakEnd the break early and return to work. Only available if the plan’s skip break challenge allows it.
Stop PlanStop the plan entirely from the break screen. If the plan has stop protection, you’ll see a confirmation dialog with the appropriate challenge (password, random chars).
Extend TimeAdd more time to the break if you want a longer rest.
Request Stop CodeRequest an emergency stop code to end the break or stop the plan entirely. See Emergency Stop Codes.

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Pause and Postpone

If your plan allows pausing, you can pause the break to temporarily dismiss the Break Screen. The break timer pauses and resumes when you unpause. Some plans also allow you to postpone a break — delaying it by a set number of minutes before it starts.

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Minimum Break Time

Screen Break plans can enforce a minimum break time. When set, the Skip Break button is disabled until the minimum time has elapsed. This ensures you take at least a short rest even if you’re allowed to skip the full break.

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Skip Break Challenge

Skipping a break can have its own protection challenge, separate from the stop plan challenge. This is configured in the plan’s Protection settings under Skip break challenge. If the plan has skip break protection enabled, attempting to skip triggers a challenge:
  • Random Characters — you must type a string of random characters
  • Password — you must enter the plan’s password
This prevents impulsive break-skipping. The harder the challenge, the more likely you are to just take the break.

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Stop Plan from Break Screen

If your protection settings allow it, the Stop Plan button lets you stop the plan directly from the break screen. If the plan has stop protection, you’ll see a confirmation dialog with the appropriate challenge (password or random characters).

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Enforced Mode

When a plan uses Enforced protection, the Break Screen has no skip or stop option. The break must complete fully before you can return to your computer. The only controls available are:
  • Request Stop Code — for genuine emergencies only
  • Extend Time — if you want a longer break
In Enforced mode, you cannot dismiss the Break Screen until the countdown reaches zero. Make sure your break durations are configured correctly before enabling Enforced protection.

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Emergency Stop Code

If you genuinely need to end an enforced break (e.g., an urgent work situation), you can request an emergency stop code:
  1. Click Request Stop Code on the Break Screen
  2. Note the Device ID displayed
  3. Contact FocusMe support with your Device ID
  4. Enter the stop code you receive
Stop codes are single-use and time-limited. See Plan Protection for full details.
The Break Screen is designed to be a positive experience — a reminder to rest your eyes, stretch, and recharge. Treat breaks as part of your productivity system, not an interruption.