---
title: Automate your Workflow with Session Automation
description: Introduction on how Session automation can help your workflow
date: 2021/01/29
---

Imagine having Do Not Disturb turned on when you start your Session and have it turned off after you've stopped working.

Or, what if you can play \"focus\" playlist while you're on Session and play \"relax\" playlist on break.

You can even close Slack (because Slack notification does not respect Do Not Disturb on Mac) when session started to help you stay in the flow.

That all is possible! Session automation can do all that for you.

- On Mac, Automation is powered by `AppleScript`:
  - You can learn if from [Session automation on Mac with AppleScript](./session-automation-on-mac-with-applescript). No coding experience is needed.
- On iOS, Automation is powered by `Apple Shortcuts`:
  - Learn more from [Session automation on iOS with Apple Shortcuts](./session-automation-on-ios-with-apple-shortcuts).

### Example how automation can help your workflow

Session will run automation you wrote depending on what `state` you're in right now.

Some scenarios that's useful:

1. `session_start`
   - Turn on Do Not Disturb
   - quit Slack
   - play Spotify playlist "focus"
   - start time tracking app (like Toggl)
2. `break_start`

   - play Spotify playlist "relax"
   - record time tracking app

3. `stop_working`
   - Turn off Do Not Disturb
   - reopen Slack

What you probably use is `session_start`, `stop_working`, and possibly `break_start`.

### Learn how to Setup Session Automation on Mac and iOS

You've seen the benefit. Now you can integrate it based on platform that you use. We've made a tutorial for each:

On Mac [Session automation on Mac with AppleScript](./session-automation-on-mac-with-applescript). No coding experience is needed.

On iOS [Session automation on iOS with Apple Shortcuts](./session-automation-on-ios-with-apple-shortcuts).


---
title: Integrate automatic Do Not Disturb with Session on Mac
description: Setup Session to automatically start and stop Do Not Disturb without coding
date: 2021/01/31
---

IMPORTANT! This tutorial only works on macOS BigSur. Let me know [on my email](mailto:philip@stayinsession.com) if you've tried this and it doesn't work.

Setting up Do Not Disturb without AppleScript experience is the easiest way to keep you stay focused and out of distraction. Instead of turning it on/off manually, Session can help you automate it.

There are 5 steps to follow:

1. Add Do Not Disturb Cresent Moon Icon on Menu Bar,
2. enable Do Not Disturb keyboard shortcut on your Mac,
3. download the necessary file, and
4. put it on Session script folder.
5. Done!

Let's get started.

### 1. Add Do Not Disturb Cresent Moon on Menu Bar

If you have Cresent Moon icon (Do Not Disturb) on menu bar, you can skip this step. Otherwise, please follow the gif:
![Keyboard shortcut DND](/blog-assets/cresent-moon-icon.gif)

1. Press control icon
2. Open `Do Not Disturb`
3. Hold the `Do Not Disturb` text header into menu bar
4. Make sure the Cresent Moon icon exists

### 2. Enable toggling Do Not Disturb with keyboard shortcut

1. Go to Mac's `System Preferences` > `Keyboard` > `Shortcuts` > `Mission control`
2. Enable `Turn Do Not Disturb On/Off` checkbox.
3. Double click the input beside the "Turn Do Not..." text
   ![Keyboard shortcut DND](/blog-assets/keyboard-shortcut-dnd.gif)
4. Press `CMD + SHIFT + OPT + CTRL + D` key combination while the input is **focused**.
5. Try pressing your new keyboard shortcut and see if Do Not Disturb is turned on/off

Great! Now you can toggle Do Not Disturb with keyboard shortcut! What we need to do next is to tell Session to press that keyboard automatically when Session has started, and when you have stopped working.

### 3. Download pre-made AppleScript file that turn on and off Do Not Disturb

You're going to download a code to toggle the Do Not Disturb. It basically does this:

- When Session has started, we check if Do Not Disturb is off. If yes, press `CMD + SHIFT + OPT + CTRL + D` keyboard shortcut with code.
- When you stopped working, we check if Do Not Disturb is on. If yes, press `CMD + SHIFT + OPT + CTRL + D` to turn off the Do Not Disturb.

Download the pre-made AppleScript code [here](/do-not-disturb-session-apple-script.zip)

### 4. Extract the `zip` file on Session's AppleScript folder.

1. Extract the files `session_start.scpt`and`session_end.scpt` on your Mac `Desktop` temporarily.
2. Copy both files.
3. Put both file on Session's AppleScript folder. The folder is accessible by clicking a `open appple script folder` on Session's setting page.

![Open AppleScript folder gif](/blog-assets/apple-script-folder-mac.gif)

### 5. Check if the AppleScript is working

1. Go back to Session `Preferences` > `Automation (AppleScript)`,
2. check `Session start` checkbox,
3. check `Stop working` checkbox,
4. press `Test session Start`,
5. make sure it turn on Do Not Disturb.
6. Press `Test stop Working`,
7. make sure it turn off Do Not Disturb.

If it didn't ran, make sure you have put the script in correct location. Refer to screenshot above. Otherwise, you can contact me [on my email](mailto:philip@stayinsession.com)

### 6. Enjoy undistracted working

Congratulations! Now Session will turn on and off Do Not Disturb while you're working :)

If you want to quit distracing app like `Slack`, play spotify playlist—consider [learning and writing your first AppleScript](/learn/write-your-first-applescript). We've made a tutorial for you!


---
title: Getting started with Session on iOS
description: This guide will teach you how to stay productive with Session on your iPhone / iPad
date: 2021/02/19
---

In this guide, you'll learn how Session can help you stay focused and productive with some simple setup. Here are benefits you're going to experience:

- automate and change your environment (Do Not Disturb, quit distracting app, block websites),
- stay more mindful with task at hand,
- stop working too long and take a necessary break,
- stop spending time and stuck on one problem,
- block external distractions (website, apps, notifications)

If you want a guide for Mac, [go here](/learn/getting-started-with-session-on-mac)

Some screenshots below are still Mac centric, but the big idea stays the same. Let's get started.

### Start small / take a rest before working

![](/blog-assets/schedule-rest.jpg)
I found this very helpful when I'm bored and don't want to work immediately. Either:

- work for just 5-10 minutes. You can quickly change the timer by rotating the dial clockwise, or
- Take a break first. You can do this by rotating the dial counter-clockwise. When I'm ready and relaxed, I start my focus with Session.

### Experiment with your Session duration

![](/blog-assets/session-duration-mac.jpg)
Some people find joy working in:

- 25 minutes followed by 5 minutes break,
- others in 45 minutes session with 15 minute break.

There are no one size fits all. Find the one that works for you. Experiment. Iterate. Also remember that your ideal workflow can change.
I personally found that 25 minute Session works best for the past 4 years. Nowadays I found joy working in 45-15 minutes interval.

You can set this up from `Session Settings` > `Preferences` and change the duration.

### Stay focused and on track with Calendar integration

![](/blog-assets/user-calendar-on-session.jpg)

I've been planning my day with Calendar and Session. It's been a huge game changer for me. Here's how:

1. Every week, give a daily theme for each day. Just choose one, not two or more. Consider your day is a complete success when you finished it.
2. Just plan the day in general. 2 hours from 14:00 - 16:00 on project A, 17:00 - 19:00 on project B. Keep it simple.
3. Time block ~10 hours of each day for Sleep + preparation. This way you can visualize how "little" time you have each day to do something meaningful.

This is very simple—non complex way to manage your day on weekly basis.

You can enable this on `Session Settings` > `Calendar`

### Visualize how your day and week goes with Calendar and Session

![](/blog-assets/session-events-on-calendar.jpg)

You can also see your Sessions on Calendar. I keep things simple—just time block Sleep, afternoon walk, and reading.

If you noticed, yes, my sleep schedule is messed up (from `4` > `14`). And on Wednesday I have so much on my thought that I can't sleep! Worked some Sessions until morning. This is unhealthy and I'm planning to fix it.

Anyway, the point here is it'll give you bird eye view of how your day goes and how you can be better next.

You can enable this on `Session Settings` > `Calendar`

### Always show notification

![](/blog-assets/persistent-notif-ios.jpg)

One of the biggest problem while working and thinking for me is how I can stuck into one problem, try to solve it in many different way, and found out that it's actually not that important, or I've spent way too much time on it.

Session can help you with that.

Showing a persistent will help you to be reminded to:

- take a break (instead of overworking)
- nudge you back to reality when you're too consumed on one thing.

Session can keep "you're working too long" notification persistent on your monitor.

Open iPhone `Settings` > `Notifications` > and find `Session`

- enable `Allow Notifications`,
- set banner style to `Persistent`

### Reminder to take break interval

![](/blog-assets/notify-when-too-long-ios.jpg)
This, in combination with `Always show notification` will help you to stop working, pause, or taking break for too long.

- Open Session `Preferences` > `Sound and notification` > and `Notify when session/rest/pause went too long`.
- Set the reminder duration to `5-15 minutes`. Experiment which one work best for you.

### Automate and change your environment

Imagine having no distracting notifications while working on your iOS device. It's possible by turning on Do Not Disturb. Yes, you can turn it on manually when Session has started, but that's tedious. What if you can turn it on when you started your Session, and disable it after Session ends—all automatically?

You can do it with Session Automation. Do not disturb automatic on/off is only one example what Automation can do. Other scenarios:

1. `session_start`
   - Turn on Do Not Disturb
   - quit Slack
   - change smart bulb to cool color
   - play Spotify playlist "focus"
   - start time tracking app (like Toggl)
2. `session_went_too_long`
   - change Spotify playlist to silently reminds you that your Session has went too long
3. `break_start`

   - change smart bulb to warm color
   - play Spotify playlist "relax"
   - record time tracking app

4. `stop_working`
   - Turn off Do Not Disturb
   - reopen Slack

If you're interested, you can learn more about how to [integrate Session Automation](/learn/automate-workflow-with-session-automation).


---
title: Getting started with Session on Mac
description: This guide will teach you how to stay productive with Session on your Mac
date: 2021/01/27
---

In this guide, you'll learn how Session can help you stay focused and productive with some simple setup. Here are benefits you're going to experience:

- automate and change your environment (Do Not Disturb, auto play Spotify),
- stay more mindful with task at hand,
- stop working too long and take a necessary break,
- stop spending time and stuck on one problem,
- block external distractions (website, apps, notifications)

If you want a guide for iOS, [go here](/learn/getting-started-with-session-on-ios)

### Start small / take a rest before working

![](/blog-assets/schedule-rest.jpg)
I found this very helpful when I'm bored and don't want to work immediately. Either:

- work for just 5-10 minutes. You can quickly change the timer by rotating the dial clockwise, or
- Take a break first. You can do this by rotating the dial counter-clockwise. When I'm ready and relaxed, I start my focus with Session.

### Experiment with your Session duration

![](/blog-assets/session-duration-mac.jpg)
Some people find joy working in:

- 25 minutes followed by 5 minutes break,
- others in 45 minutes session with 15 minute break.

There are no one size fits all. Find the one that works for you. Experiment. Iterate. Also remember that your ideal workflow can change.
I personally found that 25 minute Session works best for the past 4 years. Nowadays I found joy working in 45-15 minutes interval.

You can set this up from session preferences (menu bar icon > `Preferences`) and change the duration.

### Stay focused and on track with Calendar integration

![](/blog-assets/user-calendar-on-session.jpg)

I've been planning my day with Calendar and Session. It's been a huge game changer for me. Here's how:

1. Every week, give a daily theme for each day. Just choose one, not two or more. Consider your day is a complete success when you finished it.
2. Just plan the day in general. 2 hours from 14:00 - 16:00 on project A, 17:00 - 19:00 on project B. Keep it simple.
3. Time block ~10 hours of each day for Sleep + preparation. This way you can visualize how "little" time you have each day to do something meaningful.

This is very simple—non complex way to manage your day on weekly basis.

You can enable this on `Session Settings` > `Calendar`

### Visualize how your day and week goes with Calendar and Session

![](/blog-assets/session-events-on-calendar.jpg)

You can also see your Sessions on Calendar. I keep things simple—just time block Sleep, afternoon walk, and reading.

If you noticed, yes, my sleep schedule is messed up (from `4` > `14`). And on Wednesday I have so much on my thought that I can't sleep! Worked some Sessions until morning. This is unhealthy and I'm planning to fix it.

Anyway, the point here is it'll give you bird eye view of how your day goes and how you can be better next.

You can enable this on `Session Settings` > `Calendar`

### Always show notification

![](/blog-assets/alert-notification-mac.jpg)

One of the biggest problem while working and thinking for me is how I can stuck into one problem, try to solve it in many different way, and found out that it's actually not that important, or I've spent way too much time on it.

Session can help you with that.

Showing a persistent will help you to be reminded to:

- take a break (instead of overworking)
- nudge you back to reality when you're too consumed on one thing.

Session can keep "you're working too long" notification persistent on your monitor.

Open `Spotlight` (search), find `System Preferences` > `Notifications` > and find `Session`

- enable `Allow Notifications`,
- set alert style to `Alerts`, and

### Reminder to take break interval

![](/blog-assets/notify-interval-mac.jpg)
This, in combination with `Always show notification` will help you to stop working, pause, or taking break for too long.

- Open Session `Preferences` > `Sound and notification` > and `Notify when session/rest/pause went too long`.
- Set the reminder duration to `5-15 minutes`. Experiment which one work best for you.

### Block distracting websites

I found Twitter, app analytics, and "Session" finances steal my attention on daily basis. Turning them off is a good idea.

On preferences, you can block distracting website.
![](/blog-assets/web-blocker-mac.jpg)

Session also will remind you about what task you're currently focusing on. All blocked websites will be restored when your Session has ended.
![](/blog-assets/blocked-website-mac.jpg)

### Block applications

![](/blog-assets/app-blocker-mac.jpg)

Same as website, you can block application with Session. If you want something more restrictive, you can also use Session automation to `force close Application` (like Slack) when Session has started.

### Keyboard shortcuts

![keyboard shortcut](/blog-assets/keyboard-shortcut.jpg)

Navigate Session directly with Keyboard shortcuts. Start and end your Session without even having the app shown. You can even change the keyboard shortcuts to your liking.

### Automate and change your environment

Imagine having no distracting notifications while working on your Mac. It's possible by turning on Do Not Disturb. Yes, you can turn it on manually when Session has started, but that's tedious. What if you can turn it on when you started your Session, and disable it after Session ends—all automatically?

You can do it with Session Automation. Do not disturb automatic on/off is only one example what Automation can do. Other scenarios:

1. `session_start`
   - Turn on Do Not Disturb
   - quit Slack
   - change smart bulb to cool color
   - play Spotify playlist "focus"
   - start time tracking app (like Toggl)
2. `session_went_too_long`
   - change Spotify playlist to silently reminds you that your Session has went too long
3. `break_start`

   - change smart bulb to warm color
   - play Spotify playlist "relax"
   - record time tracking app

4. `stop_working`
   - Turn off Do Not Disturb
   - reopen Slack

If you're interested, you can learn more about how to [integrate Session Automation](/learn/automate-workflow-with-session-automation).


---
title: Setup session automation on iOS with Apple Shortcuts
description: How to make Session read Shortcuts you've made
date: 2021/01/29
---

In this guide, you'll learn how to integrate Session with Apple Shortcut. If you don't know about Session automation yet, you can learn more from [Automate your workflow with Session Automation](./automate-workflow-with-session-automation).

You can learn how to make your iOS Shortcut from internet / YouTube. We'll write a guide soon.

### 1. Apple Shortcuts naming

There's 9 scenarios where automation ran. They are:

1. Your session has started: `session_start`
2. Your paused session: `session_pause`
3. Your unpaused session: `session_unpause`
4. Your unpaused session: `session_went_too_long`
5. Your session has ended: `session_end`
6. Your break has started: `break_start`
7. Your unpaused session: `break_went_too_long`
8. Your break has ended: `break_end`
9. Called whenever `session_end` or `break_end` not called. Example, from abandon Session : `stop_working`

What you probably use is `session_start`, `session_end`, `stop_working`, and possibly `break_start`.

Simply made a shortcut with the matching name above. Session will run it for you.

### 2. Enable Shortcuts you've made

1. Go to `Session` > `Settings (Gear icon)` > `Automation`,
2. check all shortcuts you want to run,
3. make sure you have matching file name on your Apple shortcuts.
4. Note that if you check it and have no Shortcut with matching file name, Session won't do anything.

### 3. Shortcut input data

As of Session v2.3, you will receive additional data from Session on shortcut like Session `title`, `start date`, `end date`, `category title`, etc

You can those data on shortcut by choosing `Get dictionary from input` and choose the input as `Shortcut input`.

Then you can get these individual data from `Get Dictionary Value`. Available data:
- `title`: your session intention
- `start_date`: start date
- `pause_date`: pause date if exists
- `end_date`: ended date (only on `session_end` and `break_end`)
- `meta`: pauses with start date and end date if exists
- `duration_second`: session duration you choose
- `passed_second`: total passes second since start date
- `from_another_device`: If the event comes from your other devices via real time sync
- `category`: {
    `id`: Category ID
    `title`: Category title
    `status`: `active` | `archived`
};

### 3. Enjoy your automation!

Congratulations! Now you've automated your workflow based on Session current `state`!


---
title: Setup session automation on Mac with AppleScript
description: How to make Session read AppleScript you wrote
date: 2021/01/29
---

Session automation on Mac is powered by AppleScript. This means you need to understand a bit of code to unlock it's full potential. If you don't know about Session automation yet, you can learn more from [Automate your workflow with Session Automation](./automate-workflow-with-session-automation).

If you don't want to dabble with code and just want to turn on Do Not Disturb on and off—follow this [guide to turn on/off Do Not Disturb](/learn/do-not-disturb-on-mac) with Session.

If you're up with the challenge, you can [learn to write your first AppleScript](/learn/write-your-first-applescript).

Now, let's dissect how to integrate AppleScript you wrote or download with Session.

### 1. Automation file name

There's 5 scenarios where automation ran. They are:

1. Your session has started: `session_start.scpt`
2. Your paused session: `session_pause.scpt`
3. Your unpaused session: `session_unpause.scpt`
4. Your unpaused session: `session_went_too_long.scpt`
5. Your session has ended: `session_end.scpt`
6. Your break has started: `break_start.scpt`
7. Your unpaused session: `break_went_too_long.scpt`
8. Your break has ended: `break_end.scpt`
9. Called whenever `session_end` or `break_end` not called. Example, from abandon Session : `stop_working.scpt`

p.s. `.scpt` is a file extension for AppleScript (like `.mp3` for Music).

What you probably use is `session_start`, `session_end`, `stop_working` and possibly `break_start`.

Session will run AppleScript you've made if **the script with matching file name** above **exists** on Session script folder. Otherwise, it'll be ignored.

### 2. Put the script you've wrote inside Session folder

You can put the script you've wrote, rename the script while filename above (refer to #1) inside Session's user script folder (you can open the folder location by clicking a button on Session's setting page).

![Open AppleScript folder button](/blog-assets/open-AppleScript-folder.jpg)

Move the script you have wrote / download to `com.philipyoungg.session` folder below:

![AppleScript inside folder](/blog-assets/AppleScript-folder-source.jpg)

### 3. Check if the AppleScript is working

1. Go back to Session `Preferences` > `Automation (AppleScript)`,
2. check `Session start` checkbox,
3. check `Stop working` checkbox,
4. press `Test session Start`,
5. make sure it turn on Do Not Disturb.
6. Press `Test stop Working`,
7. make sure it turn off Do Not Disturb.

If it didn't ran, make sure you have put the script in correct location. Refer to screenshot above. Otherwise, you can contact me [on my email](mailto:philip@stayinsession.com)

### 4. Enjoy your automation!

Congratulations! Now you've automated your workflow based on Session current `state`!


---
title: Session URL scheme
description: Session's URL Scheme documentation
date: 2021/03/05
---

URL Scheme is one way to navigate Session directly from URL. Use cases:

- a document with list of clickable links,
- integrate your to-do app with Session,
- run Session from Alfred,
- run Session inside AppleScript,
- and much more.

URL Scheme is Pro feature and only availble from version 2.1 and above.

### Start Session

Programatically start Session.

Parameters:

- `intent` (optional): Your Session intention.
- `duration` (optional): Duration in minutes. If not provided, it defaults to your default app duration
- `categoryId` (optional): Match the first category id. Fall back to default project if not found.
- `categoryName` (optional): Match the first category with identical name. Case insensitive. Fall back to default project if not found.

`session:///start?intent=Example%20Session&duration=30`

Try URL above by clicking [this link](session:///start?intent=Example%20Session&duration=30)

### Start Previous Session

Start previous session with your last intent.

`session:///start-previous`

Try URL above by clicking [this link](session:///start-previous)

### Toggle Pause

Toggle pause. Only works while Session is running.

`session:///pause`

Try URL above by clicking [this link](session:///pause)

### Finish Session

Finish Session. Only works while Session is running.

`session:///finish`

Try URL above by clicking [this link](session:///finish)

### Abandon Session / Rest

Abandon session / stop rest / stop working.

`session:///abandon`

Try URL above by clicking [this link](session:///abandon)


---
slug: write-your-first-applescript
title: Write your first AppleScript!
description: If you can't write code / AppleScript to automate your workflow, this guide is for you!
date: 2021/01/31
---

AppleScript is a scripting language made by Apple. It gives you superpower and helps you automate part of your workflow.

If you can't code, this quick tutorial will help you understand how easy it is to get started.

Otherwise, you probably only need to `turn on and off Do Not Disturb` when you start a session & stop working. If that's the case, you can learn it from [Integrate automatic Do Not Disturb with Session on Mac](./do-not-disturb-on-mac).

### 1. Your first AppleScript code

1. First, open `Script Editor` app. You can do it by:
2. Open `Finder` > `Applications` > `Utilities` > `Script Editor`, or
3. you can press `CMD + Space` on your Keyboard and type `"Script Editor"`
   ![Script editor search](/blog-assets/script-editor.jpg)
4. Create a new document
5. On `Script Editor`, type:

```applescript
display dialog "I'm shown!"
```

6. Press the `play` icon
   ![Script editor run button location](/blog-assets/script-editor-run.jpg)
7. A dialog will be shown
   ![Dialog shown](/blog-assets/script-editor-im-shown.jpg)

   Congratulations. You've just wrote your first code!

### 2. Open and close App

![Slack gif](/blog-assets/open-close-slack.gif)

Opening and closing app is very easy. Let's use `Slack` as an example.

1. To open Slack, write:

```applescript
tell application "Slack" to activate
```

2. or you can close the app by calling:

```applescript
tell application "Slack" to quit
```

Slack is a good example of app to be closed with Session automation. You can force close it when you start your focus with `start_session`, and reopen it again on `stop_working`.

### 3. Spotify example

TBD

### 4. Combining multiple AppleScript

The best thing with AppleScript is you can combine all of them into single file.

Say on `session_start` you want to:

- quit `Slack`
- quit `Mail`
- turn on `Do Not Disturb`
- Display a `dialog` that your Session has started

This is the AppleScript code

```applescript
tell application "Slack" to quit

tell application "Mail" to quit

set output to (do shell script "defaults read com.apple.controlcenter 'NSStatusItem Visible DoNotDisturb'")
if output is "0" then
	tell application "System Events" to keystroke "D" using {command down, shift down, option down, control down}
	do shell script "defaults write com.apple.controlcenter 'NSStatusItem Visible DoNotDisturb' 1"
end if

display dialog "Session Started!"
```

Do Not Disturb section is extremely complex. Don't be discouraged. You can learn to set it up from [here](/learn/automate-workflow-with-session-automation).

### 5. Running your AppleScript on Session

You have wrote your code. Now what?

Integrate it with Session automation! You can put your code inside Session's AppleScript folder. Look into [Setup your AppleScript with Session](/learn/session-automation-on-mac-with-applescript) to learn what's possible.

### AppleScript on iOS?

Sadly AppleScript is not available on iOS. but it's sibling—Apple shortcut—exists. And Session also support Apple shortcut hook 😎! In the future, it's possible to block iOS apps if, say, your 3 hour focus daily is not reached yet.

Tutorial coming soon 😊.

### Conclusion

The possibilities are endless. If you can't code, now you can.

If you want to start Spotify, try to Google "How to play Spotify album with AppleScript". Internet will tell you how. Otherwise, keep looking into Session's website from time to time. We'll write a new tutorial on productivity, time management, automation for you.

That's it for now. Be more mindful, and keep stay focused!


A Simple Markdown Blog build with Nextjs.

Session academy

Session URL scheme

Getting started with Session on iOS

Write your first AppleScript!

Integrate automatic Do Not Disturb with Session on Mac

Setup session automation on Mac with AppleScript

Setup session automation on iOS with Apple Shortcuts

Automate your Workflow with Session Automation

Getting started with Session on Mac