Welcome to the Aestu FAQ.
Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about how the app works and why it was designed this way.
Philosophy and Scientific Design
What makes Aestu different from other timers?
Aestu is built on the science of Neuroinclusion.
I designed it specifically to address Time Blindness, a common ADHD trait in which the brain struggles to perceive the passage and placement of time.
Instead of static numbers that can trigger Executive Dysfunction or anxiety, Aestu uses a Liquid Engine to visualize time as a physical, fluid resource.
Why are the fonts rounded and the numbers stable?
- Softness (Bouba/Kiki Effect): I use SF Pro Rounded because cognitive science shows that sharp angles create subtle unconscious tension. Soft shapes are perceived as “safe,” reducing performance anxiety that often triggers task avoidance.
- Visual Stability: I use monospaced digits to prevent “visual noise,” the annoying effect of numbers shifting width as they change. This minimizes cognitive load on your working memory.
Why do the colors change?
I use Semantic Color Processing so your brain can understand the timer’s state instantly, without needing to “read” or calculate.
- 🔵 Indigo (Flow State): Optimized for focus without overstimulation.
- 🔴 Red (Urgency Notification): Triggers an “alert impulse” only when necessary (during the final minute) to help break hyperfocus.
- 🟢 Aqua Green (Cognitive Safety): Signals that time is “frozen,” lowering cortisol levels during breaks.
- 🟠 Orange (Positive Accountability): Used for overtime, providing information without the “failure” association typically linked to red.
Core Features
What is “Overtime”?
Traditional timers that end at zero can interrupt flow or create a sense of failure if the task is not finished.
In Aestu, reaching 00:00 triggers Positive Accountability.
The timer begins counting upward in orange, allowing you to finish your current thought while making you aware of the time debt you are accumulating.
This builds metacognition (awareness of your own thinking processes) without guilt.
How does the “Scientific Cooldown” work?
Research shows that after 15–20 minutes of interruption, the ADHD brain completely loses the working-memory context of a task.
- The 5-Minute Nudge: I use a gentle “heartbeat-style” haptic feedback to stimulate your interoception (internal awareness) and guide you back to focus.
- The 15-Minute Auto-Stop: If you step away for 15 minutes, the session is saved for you. This acknowledges the limits of working memory and helps prevent the “shame spiral” of accidentally leaving a timer running for hours.
What is the Energy Level Tracker?
ADHD is often an energy-management problem, not just a time-management problem.
Many neurodivergent people struggle with interoception, the ability to sense internal states such as fatigue or hunger.
By asking you “How do you feel?”
- 🟢 Energized
- 🟡 Neutral
- 🔴 Drained
the app helps you build a data-driven map of your productivity.
You may discover that tasks you believed were “easy” are actually draining your energy, allowing you to plan your day around your brain’s natural energy cycles.
Controls and Interaction
How do I set the time?
- On iPhone/Mac: Use the Circular Gesture. Click or touch and rotate your finger around the timer like turning a physical dial.
- On Apple Watch: Use the Digital Crown to adjust the time.
Why do I need to long-press to reset?
To prevent impulsive deletions.
I added a 1.5-second delay to the reset button to ensure you truly want to clear the session, protecting you from accidental slips.
Multi-Platform and Sync: Total Continuity
Why is Aestu on all my Apple devices?
I built Aestu as a native experience for iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch because continuity is a cognitive tool.
Science calls this Cognitive Offloading.
For an ADHD brain, switching tasks or environments is a high-risk moment for losing focus.
By automatically syncing timers and history through iCloud, I remove the friction of setup.
Whether you are at your desk (Mac), on the move (iPhone), or away from screens (Watch), the context of your focus remains anchored and uninterrupted.
Do my data sync between devices?
Yes. Aestu uses iCloud Sync to keep history and settings consistent.
This ensures that whichever device you pick up, you immediately have a visual anchor to your current session and progress.
Where are my data stored?
Your data are stored securely in your private iCloud database.
I do not have access to your tasks, sessions, or energy levels.
Apple Watch
Does the timer work when the screen is off?
Yes. The app uses Extended Runtime Sessions to ensure the timer keeps running and vibrates on your wrist when it finishes, even if you lower your arm.
Can I control the timer from the watch face?
Yes, using Smart Stack widgets.
You can start, pause, or add extra time (“Panic Button”) directly from the watch face without opening the app.
Still have questions? Feel free to contact me through the Contacts section.