What are Nudges? How they work and how to set them up?

Introducing Nudges

Nudges are gentle 5-minute focus reminders designed to help you quickly overcome a block. Unlike version 1, which many found annoying, version 2 of Nudges is subtle and less intrusive. I listened to your feedback and made improvements to enhance your experience.

How to Set Up a Nudge

Opening Nudge Settings

There are two ways to access the Nudge settings:

Option 1: Using the Command Bar

1. Press cmd+shift+o (Mac) or ctrl+shift+o (Windows).
2. You should see the "Nudges" option appear.
3. If the shortcut doesn’t work, you need to set it manually:
   • Go to chrome://extensions/shortcuts.
   • Find "Otto" and set a new shortcut under the “Command bar.”

Option 2: Using the Otto Popup

1. Open the Otto popup from the extension icon in the browser toolbar.
2. Navigate to the Settings tab.
3. Click on "Open Nudge Settings." This will take you to the settings page where you can manage Nudges.

How to Create a Nudge

Creating a Nudge is very simple and intuitive:

1. Select a Time: Choose the time you want to receive a reminder. This can be any time of day that works best for you to get a quick focus boost.
2. Create the Nudge: Click the “Create” button. This will add the Nudge to your list of active reminders. The new Nudge will appear in the list below, and any future Nudge you create will also show up there.

How Nudges Work

Nudges are designed to be helpful without being intrusive. Here’s how they work in practice:

• Setting a Reminder: For instance, if you set a reminder for 10 AM daily, a notification will pop up at the corner of your screen at that time. The reminder is a gentle nudge to help you refocus and push past any current blocks.
• Focus Session: After you complete a 5-minute focus session prompted by the Nudge, you will see another popup asking if you want to try another session. This gives you the option to extend your focus time if you find it beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to create Nudges every day? No, once created, Nudges remain active indefinitely. These reminders will automatically trigger daily at the time you have set, so you don't need to recreate them unless you want to change the time or the content of the reminder.

The reminders aren’t triggering. What should I do? For Nudges to work properly, you need to be on an active web page. Nudges won’t work on new tab pages or any chrome:// pages due to browser restrictions. Make sure you are on a standard web page to see the notifications.

How do I turn off these Nudges? Turning off Nudges is straightforward:

1. Go to the Nudge settings page.
2. Locate the Nudge you want to turn off in your list of active Nudges.
3. Click on the delete button next to the Nudge. This will remove the Nudge and stop the notifications.

Benefits of Using Nudges

Nudges are designed to improve your productivity in a non-intrusive way. Here are some benefits:

• Enhanced Focus: By providing gentle reminders to focus, Nudges help you quickly regain concentration and overcome productivity blocks.
• Consistency: Regular reminders help in maintaining a consistent work schedule.
• Customization: The ability to set reminders at specific times that suit your workflow means that you can tailor Nudges to fit seamlessly into your daily routine.
• User-Friendly: The simple setup and management process make it easy for anyone to use Nudges effectively.