• ACTIVE
  • TRACKING
  • ADJUST
  • HUMAN

How to start focus sessions with your AI

Connect RescueTime to your agent to manage deep work without leaving your chat. Your agent handles the timers and the distraction blocking for you.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How do I start focus sessions with my AI?

Tell your agent to start a focus session, and it will trigger RescueTime to block distractions in your workspace. You can also ask it to extend your current session or stop it when you're done. You'll get a distraction-free environment and automated work logging.

Focus outcomes

What you get from focus sessions

Delegating focus management to your agent results in these four outcomes.

ACTIVE

Distraction blocking

The agent triggers a session that locks down your workspace. You get immediate protection from distracting sites and apps.

TRACKING

Automatic work logs

Every session is recorded in RescueTime. You get an accurate history of your deep work hours without manual entry.

ADJUST

Flexible session control

If you hit a flow state, tell your agent to add more time. If you're finished, tell it to end the session.

HUMAN

Manual task switching

The AI only manages the timer and blocking. You still decide when to switch tasks or take a break.

The workflow

What your AI does when you ask for focus.

Your agent acts as the bridge between your chat window and your RescueTime settings.

  1. Start a session

    When you tell your agent you're starting a task, it kicks off the timer and begins blocking distracting sites.

    start_focus_session

  2. Log focus time

    The agent ensures the time spent in your current window is properly categorized as focus time.

    start_focus_time

  3. Add more time

    If you aren't ready to stop, your agent can push the timer further out to keep the distraction blocking active.

    extend_focus_session

  4. Stop the session

    Once you finish your task, the agent stops the timer and clears the focus mode.

    cancel_or_stop_focus_session

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to control your focus sessions.

Starting points

These are natural ways to talk to your agent. Swap the bracketed text for your actual task names.

RescueTime Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_hoa95p0K4Q58tLA00V8bFWfwTSvMdlO81HDoNGvf/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — RescueTime capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "rescuetime-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_hoa95p0K4Q58tLA00V8bFWfwTSvMdlO81HDoNGvf/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Start a 30 minute focus session for [coding this feature].

  • I need more time, extend my current focus session by 15 minutes.

  • Start a focus session for [writing the project report].

  • I'm done with this task, stop my focus session.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect RescueTime once, then ask.

Just link your account once. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can start managing your focus through any MCP-compatible client immediately.

Connect RescueTime to your AI

FAQ

How focus sessions behave

  • 01

    Can the AI see what I am doing during a session?

    No. The AI only sends commands to start or stop sessions. It does not monitor your screen or read your active content.

  • 02

    Can my AI change my RescueTime settings?

    No. The AI can only trigger specific focus actions like starting, extending, or stopping sessions. It cannot modify your account preferences or dashboard settings.

  • 03

    Will this block my entire computer?

    The AI triggers the focus session in RescueTime, which uses your existing RescueTime rules to block specific sites or apps.

  • 04

    Can I stop a session if I didn't ask the AI to start it?

    Yes. You can tell your agent to stop any active session at any time.

  • 05

    Does the AI track my productivity scores?

    No. The AI only manages the session state. Your productivity data and scores remain within RescueTime.

  • More questions about RescueTime? The Connector page answers them. See everything the RescueTime Connector can do

Connect RescueTime to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more