c-timer — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install
Sets background countdown timers, alarms, and pomodoro sessions with native macOS notifications. Keeps focus intact while working inside the terminal.
npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a claude-codeWhat c-timer does
The skill directs the coding agent to schedule reminders via background sleep subshells and terminal-notifier. Running jobs with an ampersand keeps the agent prompt responsive. When time runs out, a native desktop alert appears with a chosen chime.
A built-in pomodoro workflow tracks a 25-minute sprint followed by a 5-minute break. After four rounds, the assistant suggests a longer 15-minute rest. macOS alert sounds such as Purr, Glass, Ping, and Sosumi can accompany the notification.
When terminal-notifier is missing from the environment, the skill drops back to the system say command for speech output. The automation targets macOS utilities.
What it helps with
- trigger background countdowns without pausing active agent work
- run structured 25-minute pomodoro work cycles
- receive audio and desktop alerts on macOS
- parse conversational time intervals into exact seconds
Example prompts for the agent
- Set a timer for 20 minutes with a message to check the deployment
- Start a pomodoro session with the Glass sound
- Remind me in half an hour to review the pull request
How to install c-timer
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/c-timer/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/c-timer/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/c-timer/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/c-timer/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install daxaur/openpaw c-timer2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/c-timer/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/daxaur/openpaw --path skills/c-timerManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/c-timer/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about c-timer
How do I install c-timer in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add daxaur/openpaw --skill c-timer -a claude-code. The skill file lands in ~/.claude/skills/c-timer/SKILL.md.
What does c-timer do?
It equips your AI assistant to run background timers in your terminal. Notifications trigger through native macOS banners or the say speech command.
What happens if terminal-notifier is not installed?
The skill falls back to the built-in macOS say utility. The timer will speak the reminder aloud instead of displaying a notification banner.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
--- name: c-timer description: Timers, alarms, and pomodoro — set countdowns with native notifications. tags: [timer, alarm, pomodoro, countdown, reminder] --- # Timer — Countdowns & Pomodoro Set timers and get notified via native macOS notifications. Uses `terminal-notifier` and background sleep. ## Commands ```bash # Simple timer (runs in background) (sleep 300 && terminal-notifier -title "Timer" -message "5 minutes is up!" -sound default) & # Timer with custom message (sleep 1800 && terminal-notifier -title "Timer" -message "Break time!" -sound Glass) & # Pomodoro (25 min work, 5 min break) (sleep 1500 && terminal-notifier -title "Pomodoro" -message "Time for a break!" -sound Purr) & # Quick reminder (with say for audio) (sleep 60 && say "One minute timer done" && terminal-notifier -title "Timer" -message "1 minute" -sound default) & ``` ## Time Conversions | Duration | Seconds | |----------|---------| | 1 minute | 60 | | 5 minutes | 300 | | 10 minutes | 600 | | 15 minutes | 900 | | 25 minutes | 1500 | | 30 minutes | 1800 | | 1 hour | 3600 | ## Notification Sounds Available: `default`, `Basso`, `Blow`, `Bottle`, `Frog`, `Funk`, `Glass`, `Hero`, `Morse`, `Ping`, `Pop`, `Purr`, `Sosumi`, `Submarine`, `Tink` ## Pomodoro Workflow When the user asks for pomodoro: 1. Start 25-minute work timer 2. Notify when work session ends 3. Start 5-minute break timer 4. Notify when break ends 5. Repeat (ask user after 4 cycles if they want a 15-min long break) ## Guidelines - Always confirm the timer was set with the exact duration - Use `&` to run in background so the terminal stays responsive - Default sound: `default` for timers, `Purr` for pomodoro - If `terminal-notifier` is not installed, fall back to `say` command - For "remind me in X minutes", treat as a timer - Convert natural language: "half hour" = 1800s, "quarter hour" = 900s
© daxaur · MIT · daxaur/openpaw
