WaveTimer - Product Requirements Document (PRD)
ELEVATOR PITCH
WaveTimer is a pretty raw idea I've had for over a year now, for a minimalist app, initially designed for Android devices, including smartwatches, that will turn work-rest balance into a natural, breath-like rhythm. Unlike rigid interval timers, it will be a stopwatch-timer hybrid; work-time expands freely, then rest-time contracts exactly equally. It’ll be built for real-life variability, when exercising, studying, or doing chores, and will help maintain balance without overthinking.# CORE PHILOSOPHY
1. Rest is sacred; the rest phase should be a true pause: no cognitive load, no inputs, no effort expenditure… just recovery, retention, and relaxation.
2. Work is free-form; no preset limits. While standard time limits like 25m in standard pomodoro timers are helpful, sometimes it’s best to ride the flow and work as long or short as you naturally can, especially in creative or deep, high-effort work, like intense workouts, or anything where you are fully invested.
3. Balance is automatic; a 1:1 ratio is enforced by design. The app will handle the math while you focus on working and resting. Custom user ratio management is planned for a later version.
HOW IT WILL WORK
- Work phase (stopwatch): tap to start work. Time counts up freely, from seconds to hours.- Rest phase (timer): tap to start break. The app instantly sets a countdown timer equal to your elapsed work time.
- Visual feedback: a daily timeline will show blocks over a time-gridded background, like a calendar, for when the user worked, with gaps for when the user rested, creating an instant visual of the day’s rhythm.
KEY FEATURES
- Single-tap operation; one button toggles between work and rest (debating even simply making the screen clickable, for further minimalism and simplicity)- Smartwatch integration; being able to have this framework as a glanceable, on-the-go tool would be perfect for exercise sessions.