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Using the Timer

The Timer is the core feature of CADENSA Mobile, allowing you to track time with a single tap. This guide covers all timer functionality in detail.

Timer Basics​

Starting a Timer​

  1. Navigate to Timer Tab
  • Tap the Timer icon in bottom navigation
  1. Select Project (Required)
  • Tap "Select Project"
  • Search or browse projects
  • Tap to select
  1. Select Task (Optional)
  • Tap "Select Task"
  • Choose from project tasks
  • Or leave blank for no specific task
  1. Add Description (Optional)
  • Tap "Description" field
  • Type what you're working on
  • Example: "Implementing login feature"
  1. Add Tags (Optional)
  • The tag area shows three distinct types of tags — see Tag System below
  1. Toggle Billable (Optional)
  • Tap the Billable switch to mark this entry as billable to the client
  • Default: follows the project's billable default setting (can be overridden per entry)
  1. Start Timer
  • Tap the big "Start Timer" button
  • Timer begins counting immediately

Start Timer

Running Timer​

Timer Display​

When timer is running, you'll see:

  • Circular Progress - Visual representation of time passing
  • Elapsed Time - HH:MM:SS format (e.g., "1:23:45")
  • Project Name - The project you're tracking time for
  • Task Name - If task was selected
  • Description - Your work description
  • Tags - Applied tags

Timer Controls​

While running, you have two options:

  1. ⏸️ Pause - Temporarily stop without creating entry
  2. ⏹️ Stop - Finish and save as time entry

Pausing & Resuming​

When to Pause​

Use pause when you:

  • Take a short break (lunch, coffee, restroom)
  • Switch tasks temporarily
  • Get interrupted by a meeting
  • Don't want to create a new entry yet

How to Pause​

  1. Tap "Pause" button on running timer
  2. Timer stops counting
  3. Pause button changes to "Resume"

Paused Timer Display​

  • Shows elapsed time when paused
  • Displays "Paused" status
  • Time does NOT increment

How to Resume​

  1. Tap "Resume" button
  2. Timer continues from where it paused
  3. Button changes back to "Pause"
Total Time Calculation

When you stop a paused timer, total time = elapsed time (pause time is excluded).

Example:

  • Started: 9:00 AM
  • Paused: 10:00 AM (1 hour elapsed)
  • Resumed: 10:30 AM (pause duration: 30 min)
  • Stopped: 11:00 AM (additional 30 min)
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 min (pause excluded)

Stopping a Timer​

How to Stop​

  1. Tap "Stop" button on running or paused timer
  2. Timer stops and saves as time entry
  3. You're redirected to Time Entries tab
  4. Toast notification confirms: "Time entry saved"

What Happens When You Stop​

The timer is automatically converted to a time entry with:

  • Start Time - When you started the timer
  • End Time - When you stopped (current time)
  • Duration - Total elapsed time (excluding pauses)
  • Project - Selected project
  • Task - Selected task (if any)
  • Description - Your description
  • Tags - Applied tags
  • Billable - Billable status

The entry is immediately:

  • Saved to your Time Entries
  • Synced to server (if online)
  • Or queued for sync (if offline)

Background Timer​

Timer Continues When App Minimized​

The timer continues running even when:

  • You minimize the app
  • You switch to another app
  • Your phone screen locks
  • You receive a call

Background Notification (iOS & Android)​

While timer runs in background, you'll see a notification showing:

  • Elapsed time (updates every minute)
  • Project name
  • Quick actions - Tap to open app

Background Notification

Battery Usage

Background timer uses minimal battery. The notification updates every 60 seconds to conserve battery.

Resuming After App Restart​

If you force-close the app or your phone restarts:

  1. Timer state is preserved (synced with backend)
  2. Reopen app → timer continues from where it was
  3. Elapsed time reflects total time including background period
caution

If the app crashes or is force-closed, the timer will continue on the server. Reopen the app to see the current state.

Stopping a Timer from Another Device​

Multi-Device Sync​

If you start a timer on mobile and want to stop it from web (or vice versa):

  1. Timer syncs in real-time via WebSocket
  2. Stop on any device → all devices update instantly
  3. Time entry created appears everywhere

Example Scenario:​

1. Start timer on mobile (9:00 AM)
2. Go to office, open web app
3. Web app shows timer running (synced)
4. Stop timer on web (10:00 AM)
5. Mobile app updates: timer stopped, entry created

Tag System​

The timer screen shows three distinct tag types, each with a different colour and behaviour:

1. Project Tags (blue — read-only)​

When you select a project, the project's own tags appear automatically as blue badges. These cannot be edited from the timer — they are defined on the project and reflect its category or client.

2. Task Tags (purple — read-only)​

When you select a task within a project, any tags attached to that task appear as purple badges. Like project tags, these are read-only from the timer.

3. Custom Tags (editable)​

Below the read-only tags, you can add your own custom tags for the current entry — for example "meeting", "code-review", "urgent". Custom tags are saved with the time entry only and do not affect the project or task.

tip

All three tag types appear together on the entry card in the Time Entries list. When editing an entry, project and task tags remain read-only, but custom tags can be changed.

Rate Display & Real-time Earnings​

If the selected project has an hourly rate defined, the timer screen shows a live earnings calculation:

Rate: 15 000 HUF/h
Earned: 7 843 HUF

The earned amount updates every second while the timer runs. This gives you instant visibility into the billable value of your current session.

info

The rate and earnings display only appear when the selected project has a rate configured. If no rate is set, this section is hidden.

Running Timer Indicator​

When a timer is active, a persistent header bar appears at the top of every tab (Time Entries, Projects, Settings). It shows:

  • Elapsed time (HH:MM:SS, live)
  • Project name

Tapping this bar takes you directly back to the Timer tab. This means you never lose track of a running timer, even while browsing entries or projects.

Timer History​

Tap the clock (history) icon in the top-right corner of the Timer tab to open the Timer History modal. It lists your recent timer sessions (stopped entries) so you can review past activity without switching to the Time Entries tab.

Timer Limitations & Rules​

One Timer at a Time​

  • Cannot run multiple timers simultaneously
  • If you start a new timer while one is running:
  • Current timer is automatically stopped
  • New timer starts

Minimum Duration​

  • Timer must run for at least 1 minute to save
  • If stopped before 1 minute:
  • Warning: "Minimum duration is 1 minute"
  • Entry not created

Project Required​

  • You must select a project to start timer
  • Project ensures proper time categorization
  • Cannot start timer without project

Timer Tips & Best Practices​

1. Use Descriptive Descriptions​

Bad:

"Work"

Good:

"Implementing user login authentication"
"Client meeting - project scope discussion"
"Code review for PR #123"

2. Tag for Better Organization​

Create tags for:

  • Activity type - development, testing, meeting, research
  • Client - client-a, client-b
  • Priority - urgent, low-priority
  • Location - office, remote, on-site

3. Mark Billable Correctly​

  • Enable billable for client work
  • Disable billable for internal tasks, admin work

4. Use Pause for Short Breaks​

  • Pause for breaks under 15 minutes
  • Stop if break is longer or switching projects

5. Review Before Stopping​

Before stopping, ensure:

  • Project is correct
  • Description is clear
  • Tags are applied
  • Billable status is correct

Troubleshooting​

Timer Won't Start​

Symptoms:

  • Tap "Start Timer" but nothing happens

Solutions:

  1. Ensure project is selected (required)
  2. Check internet connection (or wait for offline sync)
  3. Verify workspace is selected (top bar)
  4. Restart app if issue persists

Timer Shows Wrong Time​

Symptoms:

  • Elapsed time is incorrect

Solutions:

  1. Check device time settings (Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically)
  2. Ensure app is connected to internet for sync
  3. Force sync in Settings > Sync Now

Timer Stopped Unexpectedly​

Symptoms:

  • Timer was running, now it's stopped without your action

Solutions:

  1. Check Time Entries tab - entry may have been created
  2. Check if timer was stopped from web app (multi-device sync)
  3. Check offline queue in Settings (may be pending sync)

Background Timer Not Working​

Symptoms:

  • Timer stops when app minimized

Solutions:

  1. Grant "Background Activity" permission (Settings > Apps > CADENSA > Permissions)
  2. Disable battery optimization for CADENSA (Android)
  3. Check Low Power Mode is OFF (iOS)

Frequently Asked Questions​

Can I run multiple timers?​

No, CADENSA supports one active timer at a time. If you need to switch tasks, stop the current timer and start a new one.

Does timer continue if my phone dies?​

Yes! The timer state is synced to the server. When you recharge and reopen the app, the timer continues from where it was.

Can I edit a running timer?​

No, you cannot edit a timer while it's running. You must stop it first, then edit the resulting time entry.

What if I forget to stop the timer?​

You can stop the timer anytime (even days later). Then edit the time entry to adjust the end time to when you actually finished working.

Does timer work offline?​

Yes! Timer works offline. Start/stop/pause actions are queued and synced when you're back online.

Next Steps​

Learn more about:

Master the Timer!