Sprints & Targets

Sprints

Writing Sprints

Writing sprints are timed writing sessions designed to build momentum and beat writer's block. Set a duration, set a word target, and write against the clock.

How to start a sprint

1. 1 Open any chapter and click the Sprint button in the chapter toolbar.
2. 2 A popover appears where you can configure Duration (1–120 minutes, default 15) and Word target (default 500).
3. 3 Click Start Sprint. Your cursor is placed in the editor and the clock begins.

During a sprint

A live HUD bar appears below the toolbar showing:

• A countdown timer with time remaining.
• A progress bar filling toward your word target.
• A live word count (e.g. "237/500 words").

The bar turns amber while in progress and green when you hit your word target. When time runs out, the bar displays "Sprint done! 🎉".

Stopping a sprint

Click the Stop button in the HUD bar or click the Sprint button in the toolbar at any time to end early — no progress is lost from your chapter.

Tips

• Sprints are per-chapter. Switch chapters freely; the sprint tracks words in the chapter where you started it.
• Use short sprints (5–10 min) to push past a blank page, or longer ones (30–60 min) for deep writing sessions.
• Combine sprints with the AI Continuation feature to kick-start a passage, then sprint to keep the momentum going.

Targets

Writing Targets

Writing targets are longer-term goals that track your word output across the entire project over a day or a week. They help you build a consistent writing habit.

How to set a target

1. 1 Click the target (bullseye) icon in the main toolbar.
2. 2 Choose a time period: Daily (24-hour countdown) or Weekly (7-day countdown).
3. 3 Set your word goal (minimum 50 words, adjustable in increments of 50). Suggested defaults are 1,000 words/day or 5,000 words/week.
4. 4 Click Start Target.

Tracking progress

While a target is active, the status bar shows your progress toward the goal. Clicking the target button opens a dual-ring progress graph:

• Outer ring (purple) — words written so far vs. your goal.
• Inner ring (amber) — time elapsed vs. total time remaining.
• The centre displays your current word count and goal.

When you reach your word goal, the dialog shows "🎯 Target achieved!"

Persistence

Writing targets persist across app restarts. If you close Auctor and reopen it, your target and progress are still there. Targets auto-clear when their time period expires (24 hours for daily, 7 days for weekly).

Cancelling a target

Open the target dialog and click Cancel Target to end it early.

Tips

• Writing targets count words across all chapters in your project, so editing any chapter contributes to your goal.
• Pair a weekly target with daily sprints: use the target to stay accountable over the week, and sprints to keep individual sessions focused.
• Start with a modest goal and increase it as you build your routine — consistency matters more than big numbers.