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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 protection allows it.
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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Password Prompt

If the plan has stop protection enabled, attempting to skip a break or stop the plan triggers a challenge:
  • Random Characters — you must type a long 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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Forced Mode

When a plan uses Forced protection, the Break Screen has no skip 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 Forced mode, you cannot dismiss the Break Screen until the countdown reaches zero. Make sure your break durations are configured correctly before enabling Forced protection.

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Emergency Stop Code

If you genuinely need to end a forced 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.