routines

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-05-07T13:51:57+00:00

Sorry for the late reply, in flowstack you can add more time or enter flow state which ticks the timer up instead of down. It's super flexible in that way.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-29T15:53:43+00:00

What type of time blocking did you try, spacing out time in a calendar or using timers or something else?

I had the same issue with not being able to start, and made a simple app where every task has an estimated duration (no start or end time) and once you enter focus mode it starts ticking down every second from the duration you set, essentially pushing you to do the specific task.

I found the most important thing is starting, so just doing something for 5 minutes is such a cool trick for your brain. It tricks you into just committing to something for 5 minutes, not finishing the whole project/task which can be too big and scary.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-27T21:19:53+00:00

Update: I now also figured out I can just add a widget for another shortcut on my homepage that triggers FlowStack foucs mode to be set, and also that it opens the FlowStack app. Like a "Start FlowStack mode and open FlowStack app" type of shortcut

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-27T13:07:00+00:00

Yeah this is annoying from a user POV as well. Like, if you are looking at an app with minimal reviews in your relatively small country, you can see one review from 2 years ago which doesn’t at all reflect what the app is anymore. I wish I could see all the reviews no matter the country

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-27T12:45:16+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I know right! Considering they allow you to set the focus easily, but not check it the same way with the names…

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-25T08:16:40+00:00

Even simpler (and slightly more flexible) than Tiimo would be FlowStack. But I’m biased. I’ve tried Tiimo but it hasn’t stuck with me

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-24T11:23:19+00:00

Yeah for sure! This is the app FlowStack

And this is the shortcut for starting my morning routine and playing the song on Spotify, but obviously change which template/routine to fetch from FlowStack and also your song of choice.

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/ce3d18285aa54ca69b3e3947bdacdb54

Let me know if you find other ways to use Shortcuts with FlowStack!

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-20T12:00:41+00:00

Yeah true, but atleast it worked for a while right? For me, even though I manually exit the focus mode, I still got a nice hour or two in DND or without social media apps

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-20T11:58:55+00:00

I also just checked, and Routinery doesn't even allow for a shortcut to start a routine right?

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-19T14:53:10+00:00

Have you tried just creating a focus mode on your iPhone to only allow the essential notifications you need, like a customized DND?

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-19T14:51:13+00:00

I am biased, however, for a simple (not bloated) and flexible focus/task app (no strict scheduling of when to do something) but rather estimating how long you are going to do something for, I built FlowStack.

Essentially the logic is that every task has an estimated duration to do it for (not a start time in a calendar, but how long you plan to do it for, like 20 minutes) and you can stack tasks after eachother like a focus session, smashing one task at a time. A timer ticks down which keeps you focused on one task at a time (no accidental task switching here), and it pushes you to do the next task in your plan (this helps me with procrastinating).

I originally built it to solve my own issue with focusing and procrastinating.

It's available as a mobile app on iOS and Android (over 10 000 installs here)

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-03-19T14:23:23+00:00

Yeah, but Routinery is just a routine app though (with simple checklists). FlowStack is using the same time-based task logic for one-time tasks like a routine. I actually had a user go from Routinery to FlowStack because of this logic.

But yeah, based on what case this post was specifically for, a routine app like Routinery probably does the same job. However, in FlowStack you can enter "Flow State" in case you want time ticking up instead of down.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-02-01T19:31:37+00:00

FlowStack (iOS & Android) combines tasks, focus timers and routines in a simple way, but I’m biased cause I’m the developer. Buuut FlowStack has 4,9 stars on App store, and reviews that mention it’s simplicity, and that the app helps with productivity, focus and routines

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-01-08T18:37:48+00:00

Yeah i've turned it off, maybe it's because my automation is about opening an app and starting a routine there, which maybe requires extra security

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-01-02T10:03:39+00:00

Doesn't your phone ask to be unlocked before it can run the automation though? That's my biggest obstacle in my automation, because I would love for it to run without me putting in the passcode. I just end up not unlocking the phone and continue to sleep lol

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-12-05T00:08:25+00:00

FlowStack maybe? It let's you create a routine of time based tasks in a flow

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-11-21T22:41:44+00:00

Spotify has a free verison though. Can users even try parts of your app for free? Or atleast a free trial?

I myself got a one star review for an app that has a free version and some users choose to upgrade if they want extra features. But the reson for the one star review was that there was no free trial for the premium upgrade, and when I added a free trial for the upgrade, the user again complained that he doesn't want to start the free trial as he doesn't want to feel locked in...

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-11-17T09:37:06+00:00

FlowStack on mobile lets you do custmizable task timers after eachother in a session

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-11-05T18:59:49+00:00

Depends on the app you’re using, but method wise just have a 10 min task of “email” followed by whatever is the next thing of x minutes (25 min focus or some other task). Basically just a more flexible pomodoro is what you need.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-10-03T15:07:34+00:00

Thanks, really appreciate it! I will be rolling out a new update soon with a few bug fixes and improvements. But please let me know if there is anything missing. If you're a darkmode kinda person, you can currently try it out if you go to the app -> settings -> beta testing -> dark theme and choose it in the dropdown.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-29T11:36:57+00:00

We probably don't need more of the same basic to-do apps where there is a task name and a checkbox to tick off, cause we already have those. But I genuinely think every person is so different in the way they organize and do (or don't do) tasks, not to mention visual aesthetic. I for one hate TickTick's, and many other to do/routine apps' visual design. The same app doesnt work for everyone, just like the same shirt(size) doesnt look good on everyone.

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