# Timers and focus blocks

Ask Nock for a timer or focus block in the notch:

- “Give me 10 minutes.”
- “Set a pasta timer for 9 minutes.”
- “25 minutes of focus.”

Nock starts the countdown immediately and shows a confirmation card with **Undo** for ten seconds. A timer is local to this computer; it is not a background coding task or a scheduled [routine](/nock/routines).

## Check the time left

While the countdown runs, the remaining time appears near the notch on Mac or in the top bar on Windows. Ask “How much time is left?” to check it. You can cancel a timer by saying “cancel the timer” or end a focus block by saying “end the focus block.”

## When it ends

Nock shows a card with **Done** and **Snooze**. By default, a timer does not speak when it ends. To enable a spoken notice, turn on **Speak when a timer or focus block ends** in **Settings → Nudges**.

Timers can be set from five seconds to 24 hours. They keep counting while the computer sleeps. If one ends while the computer is asleep, Nock shows the notice when it wakes.

For a reminder tied to a clock time or event, see [Reminders](/nock/reminders). For repeated background work, see [Local routines](/nock/routines).