Pika Yoga Intermittent Timer (Beta) | HELP & Manual | Lucky Pikas

Pika-Yoga Somatic Timer — Owner’s Manual & Step-by-Step Guide

Nice — you’ve got a clean web app at https://mikedaddi.github.io/pika_timer/. Below is a full owner/operator manual you can copy/paste, export to PDF, or drop into your docs. It explains exactly how to use the timer, how the intermittent (“rounds”) behavior works, settings, troubleshooting, and a few developer notes (installing to GitHub Pages, making it a PWA, privacy/security). Written for non-technical users but with useful detail for power users.

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Quick Summary

Pika-Yoga Somatic Timer is a lightweight, browser-based interval & meditation timer that supports settable work/rest intervals (“rounds”), adjustable increment controls, audio + visual cues, vibration, presets, and a simple settings area to choose notification sounds.

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Table of Contents

1. Features (what it does)

2. Interface walkthrough (buttons & controls)

3. How to run a session — step-by-step

4. How rounds (intermittent cycles) work

5. Settings & options (sounds / vibration / max limits)

6. Presets, saving, and recommended workflows

7. Install / host on GitHub Pages (quick steps)

8. Mobile notes: background behavior & Wake Lock

9. Troubleshooting & common fixes

10. Security & privacy notes

11. Quick reference cheat sheet

12. Support / next steps

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1) Features

• Set a main timer (hours:minutes:seconds) and an intermittent/rest timer.

• “Mark” button: quickly add fixed increments (1-minute or 5-minute modes).

• Increment (Up / Down) controls: +1 minute / −1 minute and +5 / −5 minute quick buttons.

• Start / Stop controls and a Chill (intermittent mode) toggle that runs cycles of “work → rest → work” automatically.

• Audible cues: three sound events — (a) Timer start (two-bell ding-ding), (b) Intermittent start (single ding), (c) Setting change (bop).

• Optional vibration for phones.

• Visual silent cue option (glow/pulse) for quiet environments.

• Maximum timer values enforced (max run 99:00:00; max intermittent 20:00).

• Local persistence via localStorage so your last session/settings persist in the browser.

• Download notes or session logs (if implemented) — or you can copy text.

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2) Interface — button mapping & what everything does

(Use this to locate each control quickly)

Top toolbar (left → right)

• B I U — formatting (if notes area exists)

• ✂️ Cut — cut selection

• 📋 Copy — copy editor text

• 📥 Paste — paste from clipboard

• H1 / H2 / H3 — headings (if editor present)

• • — insert bullet list

• ↩ / ↪ — undo / redo

Search controls (right side)

• ❓ Help — opens the help/FAQ page

• 📁 — open files (if supported by your version)

• 🎯 — search/locate text in notes

• 🌐 — Google search

• Search input — text to search

• Clock display — shows current time

Bottom control strip (left → right)

• Branding (⚡ Pika-Notes …)

• Clear — clear the editor / notes

• Download — download text file of notes

• Open Downloads — quick help on where to find files

• ☀️/🌙 — light/dark mode toggle

Timer area (main UI)

• Main time field — click to edit hours/minutes/seconds

• Intermittent time field — click to set rest interval

• Mark — adds preconfigured amount to the active editor or timer (1 or 5 minute depending on mode)

• −5 or decrease-by-5 next to Mark — subtract 5 minutes from intermittent

• Up / Down — +1 / −1 minute adjustments

• Go — start the main timer

• Chill — toggles intermittent cycle mode (when active, will alternate between main timer and intermittent rest)

• X — cancel/stop/reset current session

• Sound control & settings icon — pick notification sounds, vibration on/off

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3) How to run a session — Step-by-Step (basic workout/boxing style)

Example: 3 minute work, 1 minute rest for many rounds

1. Open the timer page (https://mikedaddi.github.io/pika_timer/).

2. Set the Main Time to 00:03:00 (3 minutes). Click the main time field and enter the value.

3. Set the Intermittent Time to 00:01:00 (1 minute).

   • Use the Up / Down buttons for 1-minute increments.

   • Use Mark in 5-minute mode only if you want 5-minute jumps; otherwise mark mode is 1-minute by default.

4. (Optional) Click Settings and choose:

   • Preferred notification sound for Start / Interval / Setting.

   • Toggle Vibrate ON for phone.

   • Toggle Visual Cue ON if you want silent pulses.

5. Press Go. You’ll hear the two-bell “ding-ding” and the main timer will start counting down.

6. When main time reaches zero, the intermittent/rest time will begin automatically (only when Chill is enabled) — you’ll hear single ding and the rest countdown will run.

7. After rest ends, the main timer will automatically reload to initial work interval and start next round. Repeat until you press X or Stop.

8. To pause mid-round press Go/Stop (toggle); to fully stop press X which resets timers to preset values.

Notes:

• The app enforces the rule: timer will not start unless both main and intermittent times are set when Chill (intermittent) mode is used. For single non-intermittent timing you can start with only the main time set.

• The app will not allow intermittent to exceed 20 minutes (00:20:00). The main timer maximum is 99:00:00 (99 hours).

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4) How Rounds / Intermittent Cycles Work (detailed)

• When Chill mode is OFF: pressing Go starts a single timer countdown for the main time only; no rest cycles.

• When Chill mode is ON: the app enforces this flow:

  1. Main timer (work) counts down.

  2. When it reaches 0 → app fires the Intermittent Start cue (single ding) and begins intermittent/rest countdown.

  3. When intermittent ends → app fires Main Start cue (two-bell ding-ding) and restarts main timer for next round.

• The app repeats this loop indefinitely until user stops.

• You can set the number of rounds in some versions (if a rounds field exists). Otherwise stop when you want.

• Vibration + sound combo occurs on each transition (per settings).

• Visual cue (glow/pulse) occurs on each cue for silent mode.

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5) Settings & Options (what you should check)

• Sounds: choose from the preset list (ding-ding, ding, bop). Browsers block autoplay; sounds may only play after a user interaction (click) — so click any button before relying on audio.

• Vibration: toggles phone vibration on interval events. Requires browser permission and HTTPS.

• Visual cue: silent pulsing glow instead of audio for quiet environments or when device is muted.

• Max limits: enforced; app will warn if you exceed 99:00:00 or intermittent > 20:00.

• Screen awake: some versions include an option to request the Wake Lock API so the screen stays on during sessions. Support varies across devices.

• Notifications: If you want web notifications (outside of tab), the browser will ask permission. On mobile, push notifications require service workers and a PWA setup.

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6) Presets, Saving, & Recommended Workflows

• Current settings (main time, intermittent time, last selected sound, and light/dark mode) are saved locally in your browser automatically.

• Recommended workout preset examples:

  • Tabata: Work 00:00:20 / Rest 00:00:10 (repeat)

  • HIIT: Work 00:00:45 / Rest 00:00:15

  • Yoga Flow: Work 00:05:00 / Rest 00:01:00

  • Meditation Box Breathing: Work 00:00:04 / Rest 00:00:04

• To save a preset permanently (if app supports it), use the Save Preset option; otherwise copy your settings to a note and paste later.

• Use the Download control to export session notes or results if needed.

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7) Install / host on GitHub Pages — quick steps

(If you are using pika_timer.html as a single page)

1. Create a GitHub repo (e.g., pika_timer).

2. Add pika_timer.html to the repo root; if you have supporting assets (sounds/images), add them in folders and reference paths correctly.

3. In repo Settings → Pages, set Source = main branch and root folder. Save.

4. GitHub will publish at https://<username>.github.io/<repo>/ (allow a minute).

5. Test the page, then share.

If you already have https://mikedaddi.github.io/pika_timer/ you’re done — keep updating the files and push to GitHub.

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8) Mobile & Background Behavior (important)

• Browser throttling: Mobile browsers will sometimes throttle timers and JS when the tab is backgrounded or screen locks. To improve reliability:

  • Install as a PWA (Add to Home Screen) — standalone mode tends to reduce throttling.

  • Use Wake Lock API (if supported) to keep screen awake (app may prompt).

  • Test on your device — behavior varies by OS & browser.

• Phone calls / music: Calls will typically interrupt audio cues. Visual cue + vibration help mitigate this so you won't miss the signal.

• Vibration: Requires HTTPS and a user gesture (first tap). Not available on all desktop machines.

• Autoplay sound: Most browsers require a user interaction before playing sounds.

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9) Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes

Problem: Sound doesn’t play

• Fixes:

  • Tap anywhere on the page first (user gesture).

  • Ensure device volume is up & not muted.

  • If on desktop, check OS sound settings and browser tab muted status.

  • Some browsers block auto audio on pages not served over HTTPS — host via HTTPS (GitHub Pages is HTTPS).

Problem: Vibration doesn’t work

• Fixes:

  • Ensure your phone supports vibration and is not in Do Not Disturb.

  • Confirm app loaded over HTTPS and you have tapped the page at least once.

Problem: Timer stops when screen locks

• Explanation: Background throttling by mobile browser.

• Fixes:

  • Install as PWA (Add to Home Screen).

  • Enable Wake Lock (if offered in settings).

  • Keep the app on screen (don’t switch apps) when you need exact timing.

Problem: Intermittent not starting / “Chill” does nothing

• Fix: Ensure both main and intermittent times are set. The app requires both to be set for Chill mode to function.

Problem: Editor text lost

• Fix: Editor saves to localStorage. If you cleared browser data, it’s gone. Use Download to save important text files.

Problem: Clipboard paste blocked on Chrome

• Fix: Chrome blocks automatic paste. Use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V) or use the browser paste dialog. The app offers a manual paste prompt if clipboard API fails.

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10) Security & privacy notes

• The timer app runs entirely in your browser (no server upload) — your data is saved locally only (via localStorage) unless you explicitly download and share it.

• Because files and sounds are local or hosted publicly (on GitHub Pages), there’s no backend that processes your data.

• For image/file loaders or advanced features that move files locally: modern browsers will flag unknown executables; do not download or open suspicious files.

• If you enable PWA or notifications you’re granting browser permissions — those are standard and controllable in browser settings.

• Always host over HTTPS (GitHub Pages) — necessary for vibration, wake locks, and secure audio.

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11) Quick reference cheat sheet

• Set Work: click Main Time field → enter HH:MM:SS

• Set Rest: click Intermittent → enter MM:SS (or HH:MM:SS)

• Increase by 1 min: Up button

• Decrease by 1 min: Down button

• Add/mark +5: Mark (in 5-minute mode)

• Decrease −5: Decrease-5 button next to Mark

• Start / Pause: Go

• Intermittent toggle: Chill (on/off)

• Stop/reset: X

• Sound preferences: Settings → choose start/intermittent sounds

• Vibration: Settings → Toggle Vibration

• Keep screen awake: Settings → Wake Lock (if available)

• Export notes: Download

• Install as app: Browser menu → Add to Home Screen (Android) or use Safari Share → Add to Home Screen (iOS)

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12) Example session templates (copy-paste to quickly set up)

• Classic Boxing: Work 00:03:00, Rest 00:01:00, Chill ON

• HIIT Sprint: Work 00:00:30, Rest 00:00:30, Chill ON

• Yoga Flow: Work 00:05:00, Rest 00:01:00, Chill ON

• Meditation Timer: Work 00:20:00, Rest 00:00:00, Chill OFF (single session)

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13) Developer / advanced — making it more robust

If you want the timer more robust on phones:

• Convert to a PWA (manifest + service worker) to allow standalone usage and better background handling.

• Add Wake Lock API to keep screen awake; fallback to visual cues when unsupported.

• Use Web Audio API for more reliable sound scheduling (scheduling beats with AudioContext rather than simple audio.play()).

• Save presets to an indexed DB or allow export/import of JSON preset files.

• Add native mobile wrapper (Electron / Capacitor / Cordova / Tauri) if you want full background support (e.g., run during phone sleep).

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14) Support & contact

DM us at Substack, X, or IG