Getting Started with Focus Room

Create a Focus Room account, set a website whitelist, and invite participants to join with a room code.

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Teacher using Focus Room dashboard to monitor an online classroom session

Table of Contents

Use this guide to create a host account, configure a room, invite participants with a room code, and review the session report.

What You'll Learn

  • How to create your host account
  • Setting up your first monitoring room
  • Configuring your website whitelist
  • Monitoring participant activity in real-time
  • Reviewing session reports

Step 1: Create Your Host Account

Create an account at Focus Room with your name, email, and password. When signup completes, Focus Room redirects you to the admin dashboard.

Login Page

Step 2: Create Your First Monitoring Room

A room is your virtual focus session. Each room has its own whitelist and unique room code.

Creating a Room

  1. From your dashboard, click the "Create New Room" button
  2. Enter a descriptive room name:
    • "Team Standup - Monday"
    • "Workshop - Web Development"
    • "Focus Session - Research"

Create room button on dashboard

  1. Configure your whitelist by typing website domains and clicking "+" to add them:
    • wikipedia.org
    • google.com
    • notion.so

Room creation modal

  1. Click "Create Room"
  2. Your room appears in the Active Rooms section with a unique 6-character room code

Active room created

Note: Focus Room automatically whitelists wayground.com and zoom.com for you. You can remove or keep them to your needs.

Step 3: Share Your Room Code with Participants

Your room code is displayed in your room's monitoring dashboard.

How to Share

  1. Click "Monitor" on your room card to open the monitoring dashboard
  2. Find the room code below the room name
  3. Click the copy button next to the room code
  4. Share it with participants via:
    • Video call announcement
    • Slack, Teams, or other messaging
    • Email or calendar invite

Room code with copy button

Participant Requirements

Participants need:

  • ✅ Chrome or Microsoft Edge on desktop
  • ✅ Focus Room extension for Chrome or Microsoft Edge
  • ✅ Your 6-character room code
  • ✅ Their name

Quick instructions for participants:

Step 1: Install the extension for your browser using one of the store links above, then open it from the browser toolbar.

Step 2: Enter Room Code

Enter room code

Enter the 6-character room code from your session host.

Step 3: Enter Your Name

Enter your name

Type your full name and click "Join Room".

Step 4: Join Room

Joined room view

Review the approved sites list once you are connected.

Step 4: Monitor Your Session

Once participants join, you'll see them in your monitoring dashboard.

Understanding the Dashboard

Monitoring dashboard

Top Section:

  • Connection Status (green dot = connected and listening)
  • Room Code with copy button
  • End Session button (red, top right)

Three Info Cards:

  • 👥 Active Participants - Number of participants currently in the room
  • 🌐 Whitelisted Sites - Total allowed websites
  • ⚠️ Total Violations - Cumulative violation count

The Three Tabs

1. Overview Tab

Shows active participants and recent violations:

  • Participant List (left) - Names, join times, and violation counts
  • Recent Violations (right) - Last 10 violations in real-time

2. Violations Tab

Complete violation history with filters:

  • Participant name
  • Website URL blocked
  • Timestamp
  • Violation type

Violations tab

3. Whitelist Tab

Manage allowed websites during your session:

  • View all whitelisted domains
  • Add new sites in real-time
  • Remove sites as needed

Whitelist management

Tips: You can add/remove sites in real-time to allow for quick adjustments per your need.

Step 5: End Session & Review Report

When the session is over:

  1. Click "End Session" (red button, top right)
  2. Confirm you want to end the session
  3. Review your session report

Session Report Includes

Session report overview

Summary Statistics:

  • Total participants
  • Session duration
  • Total violations
  • Completion rate (% who stayed connected)

Participants Table:

  • Participant names
  • Join/leave times
  • Duration in session
  • Individual violation counts

Exporting Reports

Need to save the data for records?

  1. Click "Export Excel" at the top of the report
  2. Download the .xlsx file
  3. Use for attendance, documentation, or analysis

Tips for Success

🎯 Recommended Sites to Whitelist

Research & Reference:

  • wikipedia.org
  • google.com
  • britannica.com

Productivity Platforms:

  • notion.so
  • docs.google.com
  • drive.google.com
  • office.com

Collaboration:

  • figma.com
  • miro.com
  • slack.com

Development & Technical:

  • github.com
  • stackoverflow.com
  • replit.com

Pro Tip: Start with 5-10 essential sites and add more as needed. You can modify your whitelist anytime, even during an active session!

✅ Best Practices

Before the Session:

  • Create your room and whitelist the night before
  • Test your whitelist by visiting those sites yourself
  • Share the room code 5 minutes before the session starts
  • Remind participants to install the extension beforehand

During the Session:

  • Verify all participants appear in your participant list
  • Check the Overview tab when participants should be joining
  • Don't over-react to violations - most are accidental
  • Add new sites to your whitelist as legitimate needs arise

After the Session:

  • Review the session report for patterns
  • Export the report if needed for documentation
  • Adjust your whitelist for next time based on what worked

Need Help?

Congratulations! You're ready to use Focus Room to help your participants stay focused. Remember, Focus Room works best as a focus assistant to help everyone develop better online work habits.

Happy hosting!

Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you at [email protected]

    Getting Started with Focus Room | Focus Room Blog