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Overview

The fallback endpoint provides sample timer start data for Zapier trigger testing and configuration. When setting up a “Timer Started” trigger, Zapier uses this endpoint to show users the expected data structure, making it easier to configure workflows before activating live webhook subscriptions.
This endpoint intelligently returns your most recent timer start data when available, or consistent sample data for testing when your workspace has no timer entries yet.

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Authentication

All requests require a valid API key in the Authorization header: 
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

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Get Sample Data

curl -X GET 'https://app.timetracker.in/api/integrations/zapier/triggers/time-entries/start/fallback' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

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Response

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Success Response

Returns an array containing one timer start object - either your most recent timer start or sample data: 
[
  {
    "id": "123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000",
    "description": "Working on user authentication implementation",
    "date": "2024-01-15T00:00:00.000Z",
    "startTime": "2024-01-15T10:00:00.000Z",
    "billable": true,
    "action": "start_timer",
    "workspace": {
      "id": "abc12345-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174003",
      "name": "Development Team"
    },
    "teamMember": {
      "id": "def67890-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174004",
      "name": "John Doe"
    },
    "project": {
      "id": "456e7890-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174001",
      "name": "Mobile App Development"
    },
    "task": {
      "id": "789e0123-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174002",
      "name": "Implement user authentication"
    },
    "tags": [
      {
        "id": "ghi11111-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174005",
        "name": "authentication"
      },
      {
        "id": "jkl22222-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174006",
        "name": "mobile"
      }
    ],
    "createdAt": "2024-01-15T10:00:00.000Z",
    "updatedAt": "2024-01-15T10:00:00.000Z"
  }
]

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Data Fields

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id
string
Unique time entry identifier (UUID format)
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description
string
Time entry description
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date
string
Date of the time entry in ISO 8601 format
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startTime
string
Timer start time in ISO 8601 format
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billable
boolean
Whether the time entry is billable
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action
string
Action type - always "start_timer" for this trigger
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workspace
object
Associated workspace information
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teamMember
object
Team member who started the timer
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project
object
Associated project information
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task
object
Associated task information
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tags
array
Array of tags associated with the time entry
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createdAt
string
ISO 8601 timestamp when time entry was created
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updatedAt
string
ISO 8601 timestamp when time entry was last modified

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Error Responses

{
  "error": "Unauthorized"
}
Cause: Invalid or missing API key
Solution: Verify your API key is correct and properly formatted
{
  "error": "Failed to fetch time entries"
}
Cause: Server-side error during data retrieval
Solution: Retry the request or contact support if the issue persists

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Sample Data Format

When your workspace has no timer entries, you’ll receive this consistent sample data: 
{
  "id": "123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000",
  "description": "Working on sample task implementation",
  "date": "2024-01-15T00:00:00.000Z",
  "startTime": "2024-01-15T10:00:00.000Z",
  "billable": true,
  "action": "start_timer",
  "workspace": {
    "id": "abc12345-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174003",
    "name": "Sample Development Team"
  },
  "teamMember": {
    "id": "def67890-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174004",
    "name": "Sample Developer"
  },
  "project": {
    "id": "456e7890-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174001",
    "name": "Sample Project"
  },
  "task": {
    "id": "789e0123-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174002",
    "name": "Sample Task"
  },
  "tags": [
    {
      "id": "ghi11111-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174005",
      "name": "sample"
    },
    {
      "id": "jkl22222-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174006",
      "name": "development"
    }
  ],
  "createdAt": "2024-01-15T10:00:00.000Z",
  "updatedAt": "2024-01-15T10:00:00.000Z"
}

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Zapier Integration Workflow

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How Zapier Uses This Endpoint

1

Trigger Configuration

When you set up a “Timer Started” trigger in Zapier, it automatically calls this endpoint to fetch sample data.
2

Data Structure Display

Zapier shows you the returned timer start data structure, including all available fields and their formats.
3

Field Mapping Setup

You can map specific timer fields (like description, project.name, task.name, teamMember.name) to actions in your workflow.
4

Testing & Validation

Use the sample data to test your workflow logic before activating live webhook notifications.
5

Production Activation

Once configured, Zapier switches to receiving real-time data via webhook subscriptions.
Pro Tip: The data structure shown during setup matches exactly what you’ll receive in live webhook payloads, so you can confidently design your workflows around the sample data.

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Use Cases

Primary Use: Zapier automatically calls this endpoint when users configure “Timer Started” triggers to show them what data will be available.
Development Use: Test your integration logic with consistent, predictable data structures before connecting to live timer start events.
Reference Use: Use the returned data structure to document what fields are available in your time tracking workflows.
Testing Use: Validate that your automation workflows can handle all the timer data fields before going live.

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Important Notes

Data Consistency Guarantee: The structure returned by this endpoint exactly matches the webhook payload format, ensuring seamless transition from testing to production.
Workspace Isolation: Only returns real timer data from your authenticated workspace. Cross-workspace data access is prevented for security.
Integration Best Practices:
  • Always test your workflows with this sample data first
  • The endpoint returns an array, so access the first element: data[0]
  • All dates use ISO 8601 format for consistent parsing
  • Time entry IDs are always UUIDs for reliable identification
  • Tags arrays may be empty for entries with no tags
  • Action field is always "start_timer" for this trigger
  • Start time is always present, but end time is not (timer is running)

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Testing Your Integration

To test how your application handles timer start data:
  1. Call the endpoint with your API credentials
  2. Parse the response and extract the first timer object
  3. Validate data types match your expected formats
  4. Test field mapping for your specific use case
  5. Handle edge cases like missing optional fields or empty arrays
This ensures your integration works smoothly when real timer start data flows through webhooks.