There are two simple and quick ways to start tracking your time and productivity with DeskTime.
Automatic time tracking
Automatic tracking enables and ensures all the DeskTime features of your subscription plan.
To start the tracking process, follow these 2 steps:
1. Download and install the desktop application's version that is correct for your operating system.
2. Log in, and the application will start tracking automatically.
To log in automatically each time, make sure you have marked the option to start the app with the computer. You will find more information on how to do that for each operating system here.
The automatic tracking will record the time spent and the name of the used:
- Applications
- URLs
- Document titles
Also, it will allow all the features such as Private time, Break reminders or our Pomodoro timer, and Screenshots, and will allow adjusting the productivity level of each application and URL to calculate more precise productivity percentage and effectiveness.
The desktop app will also register the Idle time while not actively using the computer or being away from it, which can later be changed by adding the offline time manually.
Manual time tracking
Manual time tracking allows you to quickly start tracking the time without downloading and logging in to the desktop app itself, and it is suitable for any type of operating system.
Start tracking your time easily from the web and any browser with the Web timer by clicking on Play. You can also already add a description and project for that time, or edit that anytime later.
Use the mobile app and start the Mobile timer if you are away from the computer but on a work-related activity. With mobile time, you can track the time for a certain project already, or add that later on if necessary.
Integrate the application with your Google or Outlook calendar. After any scheduled event on the calendar, that application will synchronize the time and name with DeskTime, so you would not have to add the information manually.
If you're using Google Calendar, your DeskTime absences will also be synchronized with your calendar. More about how that works in this article.
When needed, you can manually add Offline time directly from your Productivity bar in your My DeskTime section, with an explanatory description and projects, if necessary.
Note! All of the manual time tracking options can be disabled for you and your team. You can hide the Web timer for the whole Account, Team, or even a particular Team member in Settings → Tracking → Manual time tracking.