Write without distractions
One keyboard shortcut hides every UI element except the page you are writing on. A centered, calm canvas. Press Esc when you are ready to come back.
One shortcut to focus
Press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + K. The header disappears. The sidebar disappears. The toolbar disappears. You are left with a centered, maximum-width writing canvas and nothing else.
Esc to return
Press Escape (or tap the shrink icon in the top-right corner) to exit focus mode. Everything reappears exactly as you left it — active tab, font size, scroll position.
Maximum reading width
In focus mode, the writing column is capped at 820px — wide enough to stay comfortable across paragraph lengths, narrow enough that your eye does not have to travel far per line.
Pair with dark mode
Focus mode in dark theme — especially at night — creates a near-zero-distraction environment. The cursor blinks on a dark page and nothing else competes for attention.
Adjust font size before you enter
Set the font size in the toolbar before switching to focus mode. The preference persists. Pick the size that feels right for sustained reading and writing: 16px is a good default.
Ctrl+F still works in focus mode
Find does not require exiting focus mode. Press Ctrl/Cmd + F and the find bar appears inline, then disappears when you close it. The writing flow is not interrupted.
Why distraction-free writing matters
Cognitive switching costs are real. Every time a notification badge, a toolbar button, or a sidebar link catches your eye, your brain spends energy deciding whether to act on it. A writing environment that removes those signals lets you stay in the sentence longer and produce better first drafts faster.
How focus mode compares to other tools
iA Writer, Ulysses, and Hemingway Editor are dedicated distraction-free writing apps. They are excellent — and they cost money, require an install, or live in an ecosystem. Focus mode in this notepad offers the same chromeless writing experience for free, in any browser, with auto-save and no account required.