How It Works – Cortex Lantern Attention-Span Training App

Cortex Lantern is an attention-span training app — a gentle focus gym for your brain. It helps you train sustained attention using tiny focus sessions (15–45 minutes), Cognitive Pathways, and visual feedback like Glow Points, streaks, and Cortex Levels — without guilt, pressure, or hustle culture.

The 3-step loop

Using Cortex Lantern is simple. Here's the core loop:

Choose a Cognitive Pathway — pick the focus mode that matches your task (Deep Work, Learning, Creative, etc.)
Pick a session length — start with 15 minutes, or go up to 45 minutes if you're ready
Start the session — focus on your task, earn Glow Points when you finish, and review your stats

That's it. Repeat this loop regularly, and you'll build attention capacity over time.

Choose a Cognitive Pathway

Cognitive Pathways are the five focus modes in Cortex Lantern. Each pathway is designed for a different type of work:

Deep Work: For analytical tasks, writing, coding, or studying
Learning: For reading, courses, or skill-building
Creative: For brainstorming, design, or artistic work
Problem-Solving: For planning, organizing, or strategic thinking
Communication: For calls, messages, or relationship-building

Matching your pathway to your task helps you train the right type of attention for the work you're doing.

Train in short sessions (15–45 minutes)

Short sessions reduce friction. When you know a session has a clear endpoint, it's easier to start. A 15-minute session you actually complete is worth more than a 90-minute session you never begin.

Based on the science of attention training, repeated short sessions are more effective than occasional long ones. Start short, repeat often, and gradually extend your sessions as your attention capacity grows.

Get visual feedback (Glow Points + Levels)

When you complete a session, you earn Glow Points. These are simple visual rewards that acknowledge your effort — not a measure of "productivity," but a record of showing up.

As you accumulate Glow Points over time, you progress through Cortex Levels. The system is designed to motivate you gently, without pressure or guilt. There's no leaderboard, no punishment for missing a day. Just encouragement to keep going.

Track progress over time

Cortex Lantern tracks your sessions, streaks, and overall progress. Over time, you can see how consistently you've practiced and how your attention capacity has grown.

Streaks are gentle nudges, not obligations. If you miss a day, you don't lose your Glow Points or your level. You just start a new streak when you're ready.

For those who need extra flexibility, Cortex Lantern is designed to be ADHD-friendly — with low friction, forgiving streaks, and no guilt.

FAQ

Is Cortex Lantern just Pomodoro?

Not exactly. While timed sessions are part of it, Cortex Lantern adds Cognitive Pathways for different types of work, visual brain feedback, and a Glow Points system designed for consistency over time.

What session length should I start with?

Start with 15 minutes. If that feels easy, try 25. You can always adjust later. The goal is to build a habit, not push to exhaustion.

Do I need to be productive for it to work?

No. Cortex Lantern rewards effort, not output. If you complete a session, you've succeeded — regardless of what you "accomplished."

What are Cognitive Pathways?

Cognitive Pathways are the five focus modes in Cortex Lantern: Deep Work, Learning, Creative, Problem-Solving, and Communication. Each is designed for a different type of task.

What are Glow Points?

Glow Points are earned by completing focus sessions. They reward consistency, not productivity — a record of your practice over time.

Is it ADHD-friendly?

Yes. Cortex Lantern is designed with low friction, short sessions, forgiving streaks, and no guilt. Learn more about our ADHD-friendly focus timer approach.

Learn more about the science of attention training

How Cortex Lantern Works