taskboxingbeta

What does the taskboxing app do?

Taskboxing is a browser-based productivity workspace designed for task execution through the Pomodoro technique and flexible, minimalist timeboxing. The aim of this app is to systematize your workflow, focusing on concentration and time management, which directly impact work progress, and to scientifically support the following continuous cycle:

• Reduce Cognitive Load: Building a focused environment by lowering the friction of starting and staying on task.
• Defeat Parkinson’s Law: Overcoming perfectionism and optimizing time management.
• Sharpen Time Estimation: Continuously improving the accuracy of how long your tasks actually take.

* Cognitive load refers to the mental effort imposed on your working memory when processing information or making decisions. To stay focused and work efficiently without unnecessary mental fatigue, it's important to optimize your workflow by reducing unnecessary information, clarifying tasks, and minimizing distractions.

* Parkinson's Law refers to the psychological and behavioral tendency for work to expand to fill the time available for its completion.

What is timeboxing? Why timeboxing?

Almost everyone has had the experience of procrastinating on a task, or spending way more time—sometimes even days—than expected on something that isn't that critical.

To overcome the temptation to procrastinate and take control of your schedule, there is a time management technique called 'timeboxing.' It involves setting a fixed time limit—called a 'timebox'—for a specific task and finishing it within that timeframe.

By intentionally tracking what you spend your time on and for how long, timeboxing helps prevent Parkinson’s Law while also keeping perfectionism in check.

Furthermore, estimating time requires breaking tasks down into smaller steps. This makes your next move concrete and easier to start, while allowing you to focus on a single task. Completing these smaller tasks triggers dopamine. Creating a virtuous cycle where consistent practice helps you accumulate real data, leading to more accurate future time estimates.

It offers agile flexibility without trapping you in a rigid schedule, making it especially compatible with Agile workflows. It is also recommended to visualize your time with rough scheduling on your calendar to periodically rethink your project approach and take stock of your tasks.

Quick Start

• Add tasks on the main or 'Plan' screen and set their estimated time.
• Based on your available time, decide which tasks to tackle today and prioritize them. Start the task timer to focus; you can also utilize the Picture-in-Picture feature.
• Once the time is up, decide on your next move, such as whether to continue the task or move on.
• For long-term, sustained focus, use the Pomodoro timer in combination with your tasks.

Basic Features

• One-Click Timeboxing: Track time and get notified task by task—free from the constraints of your calendar.
• Frictionless UX Flow for Less Cognitive Load: We propose a task execution flow designed to minimize cognitive load, seamlessly guiding users from selecting tasks on the 'Plan' screen to the active workspace UI.
• Pomodoro Timer: Pairing your tasks with the Pomodoro Technique helps maintain sustainable focus. It is also effective for open-ended tasks without a set time limit.
• Custom Settings: Personalize settings for timeboxing and Pomodoro, including alarm sounds, notifications, and Picture-in-Picture.

* 'Plan' screen is available on tablet and desktop sizes. Picture-in-Picture is available on supported browsers.

Design Philosophy

Productivity comes not from seeing more, but from seeing what matters most. As task management tools become more feature-rich, they often demand more of your attention. As more information fills the screen, it becomes harder to start and maintain focus. Taskboxing is built around the idea of revealing only the information you need, when you need it—helping you focus on your work instead of managing tasks.

FAQ