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Timer Usage

Overview​

The CADENSA timer is your primary tool for tracking work in real-time. Start it when you begin a task, stop it when you're done, and the system automatically logs your time with precision.

Why Use the Timer?
  • Automatic tracking - No manual calculation needed
  • Real-time visibility - See exactly how long you've worked
  • Multi-device sync - Start on desktop, stop on mobile
  • Idle detection - Prevents over-tracking (PRO+)
  • Accurate billing - Precise time = accurate invoices

Starting the Timer​

Quick Start​

From Dashboard:

  1. Click the large "Start Timer" button in the dashboard
  2. Select project from dropdown
  3. (Optional) Select task
  4. (Optional) Add description
  5. Click "Start" or press Enter

From Timer Page:

  1. Navigate to Timer in sidebar
  2. Click "Start Timer" button
  3. Fill in details (project, task, description)
  4. Click "Start"

Timer Setup Fields​

Required Fields​

Project

  • Dropdown: Select from workspace projects
  • Filter: Only active projects shown
  • Search: Type to search project names
  • Validation: Cannot start timer without project

Optional Fields​

Task

  • Dropdown: Tasks from selected project
  • Conditional: May be required if project settings enforce it
  • Quick create: Add new task on the fly (PRO+)
  • Recent tasks: Shows recently used tasks for quick selection
  • Visibility: Task list is filtered by assignees — only tasks assigned to you (or unassigned tasks) are shown
Task Visibility in the Selector

The task dropdown only shows tasks you are allowed to work on:

  • Task with no assignees → visible to all project members
  • Task with assignees → only visible to assigned members

This ensures each team member only sees tasks relevant to them.

Description

  • Text field: What are you working on?
  • Placeholder: "What are you working on?"
  • Character limit: 1000 characters
  • Best practice: Be specific for better tracking

Billable

  • Toggle: On/Off
  • Default: Inherits from project setting
  • Override: Can change per timer session
  • Visual indicator: icon when billable

Active Timer Display​

Timer Interface​

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Timer Running │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ 02:37:42 │ │ │ │ Website Redesign │ │ Homepage Component │ │ Billable │ │ │ │ "Implementing responsive header..." │ │ │ │ Started at: 09:15 AM │ │ │ │ [ Pause] [ Stop] [ Edit] │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Timer Information​

Duration (HH:MM:SS)

  • Real-time counter
  • Updates every second
  • Format: Hours:Minutes:Seconds
  • Example: 02:37:42 = 2 hours, 37 minutes, 42 seconds

Project & Task

  • Displays selected project name
  • Task name (if selected)
  • Color-coded indicator (project color)

Billable Status

  • icon if billable
  • Visual highlight
  • Can toggle while timer runs (PRO+)

Start Time

  • When timer began
  • Uses workspace timezone
  • 12-hour or 24-hour format (based on preferences)

Description

  • Editable while timer runs
  • Update as work progresses
  • Auto-saved on stop

Tier Limits: Active Timers​

TierMax Active TimersMulti-Project
FREE1No
PROUnlimitedYes
ENTERPRISEUnlimitedYes
FREE Tier Limitation

FREE tier allows only 1 active timer at a time. You must stop the current timer before starting a new one.

Multiple Timers (PRO+)​

Use cases:

  • Task switching - Work on multiple projects throughout the day
  • Interruptions - Pause main work, start timer for urgent task
  • Parallel work - Track different activities simultaneously

Example:

Timer 1: Website Redesign - Development (02:15:30) [Running]
Timer 2: Internal - Email & Communication (00:45:12) [Paused]
Timer 3: Marketing Campaign - Content Writing (01:20:45) [Running]

Managing Multiple Timers:

  • View all active/paused timers in timer dashboard
  • Switch between timers easily
  • Pause/resume individual timers
  • Stop all timers at once

Stopping the Timer​

Stop Process​

How to stop:

  1. Click "Stop" or Stop Timer button
  2. (Optional) Review time entry details
  3. Confirm or edit entry
  4. Time entry automatically saved

What gets saved:

  • Start time (when you started)
  • End time (when you stopped)
  • Duration (auto-calculated)
  • Project and task
  • Description
  • Billable status
  • Rate (if applicable)

Auto-save: Time entry is created immediately. No additional confirmation needed.

Stop Options​

Standard Stop

  • Stops timer
  • Saves entry
  • Returns to timer page

Stop & Start New (PRO+)

  • Stops current timer
  • Immediately opens new timer dialog
  • Quick task switching

Stop All (PRO+)

  • Stops all active/paused timers
  • Batch operation
  • Useful at end of workday

Pausing the Timer​

PRO+ Feature

Timer pausing requires PRO or ENTERPRISE tier. FREE tier must stop and restart manually.

Pause Functionality​

How to pause:

  1. Click Pause button on active timer
  2. Timer stops counting
  3. Time is preserved

Paused state:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Timer Paused │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ 02:37:42 │ │ (Paused at 11:52 AM) │ │ │ │ Website Redesign │ │ │ │ [ Resume] [ Stop] │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Resume:

  1. Click Resume button
  2. Timer continues from paused duration
  3. No new entry created

Use cases:

  • Lunch break
  • Meeting interruption
  • Quick task switch
  • Phone call

Limitations:

  • Paused timers don't count toward active timer limit
  • Can pause multiple timers (PRO+)
  • Paused timers visible in dashboard

Editing Running Timer​

Editable Fields (While Timer Runs)​

Can edit:

  • Description (real-time)
  • Billable status (PRO+)
  • Task (PRO+)
  • Project (must stop and restart)
  • Start time (must stop and manually edit entry)

How to edit:

  1. Click Edit button on active timer
  2. Modify fields
  3. Click "Save Changes"
  4. Timer continues running

Use case: You started a timer on the wrong task but don't want to lose the time. Edit the task without stopping.

Idle Detection (PRO+)​

PRO+ Feature

Automatic idle detection is available in PRO and ENTERPRISE tiers.

How Idle Detection Works​

Activity monitoring:

  • Detects keyboard/mouse inactivity
  • Configurable idle threshold (5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes)
  • Browser-based (no privacy concerns)

Idle threshold: Default: 10 minutes of inactivity

Idle dialog:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Idle Time Detected │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ You've been inactive for 15 minutes. │ │ │ │ Timer has been running for: 02:45:30 │ │ Idle since: 11:30 AM │ │ │ │ What would you like to do? │ │ │ │ [Continue Timer] │ │ [Discard Idle Time] │ │ [Stop Timer] │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Options:

Continue Timer

  • Keep all time (including idle)
  • Timer continues running
  • No time discarded

Discard Idle Time

  • Remove idle period (e.g., 15 minutes)
  • Timer continues from discard point
  • Adjust description if needed

Stop Timer

  • Stop timer at idle start time
  • Entry saved excluding idle time
  • Example: If idle at 11:30 AM, entry stops at 11:30 AM

Workspace Settings:

  • Enable/disable idle detection
  • Set idle threshold (5, 10, 15, 30, 60 min)
  • Apply to all members or individual override (ENTERPRISE)

Timer Notifications​

Notification Types​

Timer Started

  • Confirmation toast: "Timer started for Website Redesign"
  • Browser notification (if enabled)

Timer Stopped

  • Time entry saved confirmation
  • Duration summary: "Logged 2h 37m"

Long-Running Timer (PRO+)

  • ⏰ Reminder after configurable duration (e.g., 8 hours)
  • Message: "Timer has been running for 8 hours. Did you forget to stop it?"

Idle Detected (PRO+)

  • 🚨 Idle dialog appears
  • Audio alert (optional)

Multi-Timer Warning (PRO+)

  • "You have 3 active timers. Remember to stop them at end of day."

Workspace Settings:

  • Enable/disable each notification type
  • Customize reminder thresholds
  • Email notifications (ENTERPRISE)

Timer Shortcuts & Tips​

Keyboard Shortcuts​

Global Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Alt + S - Start/Stop timer
  • Ctrl + Alt + P - Pause/Resume timer (PRO+)
  • Ctrl + Alt + N - New timer (PRO+)

Timer Page Shortcuts:

  • Enter - Start timer (when in start dialog)
  • Esc - Cancel timer start
  • Tab - Navigate between fields

Customize Shortcuts (ENTERPRISE):

  • Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Assign custom key combinations

Quick Tips​

💡 Tip 1: Use Task Descriptions Add specific details to descriptions for better reporting:

  • "Implemented user authentication API"
  • "Fixed bug #123: Login redirect"
  • "Client call with John - discussed Q1 budget"

💡 Tip 2: Start Timer Before Working Don't wait until you're deep in work. Start immediately to avoid forgetting.

💡 Tip 3: Use Recent Timers (PRO+) Access recently used project/task combinations for quick starts:

  • Click "Recent" tab in timer start dialog
  • Select from last 10 timers
  • One-click start

💡 Tip 4: Review Daily End-of-day review:

  • Check all stopped timers
  • Verify descriptions are clear
  • Ensure billable status is correct

💡 Tip 5: Set Reminders (PRO+) Configure reminders to:

  • Stop timer at end of workday (e.g., 6 PM)
  • Review time entries weekly
  • Submit for approval (ENTERPRISE)

Mobile Timer Usage​

Mobile App Features​

Available on:

  • iOS (iPhone, iPad)
  • 🤖 Android

Core Functions:

  • Start/Stop timer
  • Pause/Resume (PRO+)
  • View active timers
  • Edit descriptions
  • View time entries
  • Basic reports

Sync:

  • Real-time sync across all devices
  • Start on desktop, stop on mobile
  • Changes reflect immediately

Offline Mode:

  • Timer runs offline
  • Syncs when connection restored
  • No data loss

Push Notifications:

  • Timer reminders
  • Idle detection alerts
  • Daily summary

Timer Integrations​

Calendar Integration​

Sync with Calendar:

  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook Calendar
  • Apple Calendar (iCal)

Features:

  • Time entries appear as calendar events
  • Color-coded by project
  • Click event to view details
  • One-way sync (CADENSA → Calendar)

Setup:

  1. Settings → Integrations
  2. Click "Connect Calendar"
  3. Authorize access
  4. Select sync options

Browser Extension (PRO+)​

CADENSA Timer Extension:

  • Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
  • Start timer from any webpage
  • Floating timer widget
  • Quick project/task selection

Features:

  • Global timer display
  • Start/stop without opening app
  • Recent timers quick access
  • Keyboard shortcuts

Install:

  1. Visit Chrome Web Store / Firefox Add-ons
  2. Search "CADENSA Timer"
  3. Click "Add to Browser"
  4. Sign in to CADENSA account

Slack Integration (ENTERPRISE)​

Slack Commands:

/cadensa start Website Redesign
/cadensa stop
/cadensa status
/cadensa report today

Notifications:

  • Timer started/stopped
  • Daily summary
  • Weekly report

Setup:

  1. Workspace Settings → Integrations
  2. Click "Add to Slack"
  3. Authorize workspace
  4. Configure notification channels

Timer Reports & Analytics​

Daily Timer Summary​

End-of-day summary:

📊 Daily Timer Summary - January 25, 2026

Total Time: 8h 15m
Billable: 6h 30m (78.8%)
Non-billable: 1h 45m (21.2%)

Projects:
 Website Redesign: 4h 30m (54.5%)
 Marketing Campaign: 2h 00m (24.2%)
 Internal: 1h 45m (21.2%)

Total Earnings: €487.50

Delivery:

  • In-app notification
  • Email (if enabled)
  • Slack (ENTERPRISE)

Timer Productivity Insights (PRO+)​

Weekly insights:

  • Average work hours per day
  • Most productive hours
  • Project time distribution
  • Billable ratio trends

Example:

 Your Week at a Glance

Total Hours: 42h 30m
Avg per Day: 8h 30m
Billable Ratio: 82.5%

Most Productive: 9 AM - 12 PM (67% of output)
Top Project: Website Redesign (18h 45m)

💡 Insight: Your billable ratio increased by 5% this week!

Troubleshooting Timer Issues​

Timer won't start​

Problem: Click "Start Timer" but nothing happens.

Causes:

  • Active timer already running (FREE tier)
  • No active projects
  • Browser issues

Solutions:

  1. FREE tier: Stop existing timer first
  2. Check projects: Create active project
  3. Refresh page: Clear browser cache
  4. Try incognito mode: Rule out extensions
  5. Contact support: Persistent issues

Timer not syncing across devices​

Problem: Started timer on desktop, doesn't appear on mobile.

Causes:

  • Network connectivity
  • App not updated
  • Sync delay

Solutions:

  1. Check internet connection
  2. Pull to refresh on mobile app
  3. Wait 5-10 seconds for sync
  4. Force close and reopen app
  5. Log out and log back in

Lost time from accidental stop​

Problem: Accidentally stopped timer, lost time.

Cause: Human error.

Solution:

  1. Go to Time Entries
  2. Find the stopped entry
  3. Note the start and end times
  4. Edit the entry to extend end time
  5. Or create new manual entry for missing time

Prevention: Enable "Confirm before stopping" in settings (PRO+).

Timer ran overnight​

Problem: Forgot to stop timer, it ran for 16 hours.

Solution:

  1. Stop the timer
  2. Find entry in time log
  3. Edit entry: Correct end time to when you actually stopped working
  4. Save changes

Prevention: Enable idle detection (PRO+) and long-running timer alerts.

Best Practices​

Do's​

  • Start timer before starting work - Don't wait
  • Stop timer when done - Even for short breaks
  • Use specific descriptions - Helps with reporting
  • Review daily - End-of-day check for accuracy
  • Enable idle detection - Prevents over-tracking (PRO+)
  • Use tasks - Better granularity
  • Set reminders - Don't forget to stop (PRO+)

Don'ts​

  • Don't leave timers running overnight - Enable alerts
  • Don't use vague descriptions - "Work" is not helpful
  • Don't forget billable status - Impacts invoicing
  • Don't run multiple timers for same project (unless needed)
  • Don't ignore idle detection prompts - Be honest
  • Don't backdate timers - Use manual entry instead

Next Steps​

Need Help?​