> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.timetracker.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to track time

> Every way to record hours in TimeTracker – the top bar timer, a task Start button, the command palette, the weekly grid, and manual entries.

There are five places you can record time. They all create the same kind of time
entry, so pick whichever fits how you work.

## The five ways

| Where                          | Best for                              |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| The timer in the top bar       | Starting work right now               |
| The **Start** button on a task | Timing one specific task              |
| The command palette (⌘K)       | Starting without leaving the keyboard |
| The **Time** page              | Typing in a whole week after the fact |
| The Calendar                   | Drawing an entry onto a week grid     |

## 1. The timer in the top bar

The timer sits in the top bar on every page inside a workspace.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the timer">
    Click the clock button in the top bar. It shows `00:00:00` when nothing is
    running.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Say what you are doing">
    Type into **Description**. The placeholder is "What are you working on?".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a project or task">
    Use the project / task picker. You can search projects and tasks by name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Billable">
    Picking a project turns **Billable** on. Switch it off for internal work.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Start timer">
    The top bar button now shows the running clock and your description.
  </Step>
</Steps>

To finish, open the timer again and click **Stop timer**. The entry is saved
straight away.

Full detail: [Using the timer](/time-tracking/using-the-timer).

## 2. The Start button on a task

Task board cards and task list rows each carry a small **Start** button. The task
detail panel has one in its header too.

One click starts a timer already attached to that task – and to the task's
project. Click it again to stop.

<Tip>
  This is the fastest route when you already have the task on screen. You do not
  have to retype the project.
</Tip>

## 3. The command palette

Press **⌘K** (or **Ctrl+K**) to open the palette.

* Type `start timer` and press Enter to start a blank timer.
* Type `stop timer` to stop the running one.
* Search for a project or task, then press **⌥ Enter** to start a timer on it.

You get a toast confirming what started, for example "Timer started on Homepage
wireframes".

## 4. The Time page

Go to **Time** in the sidebar. Move to the period you want with the arrows, the
period label, or the **Today** button. Then either:

* **List view** – open the three-dot menu next to the period total and choose
  **Add entry**. Fill in the modal and save.
* **Grouped view** – a grid with one row per project and task, and one column per
  day. Click a day cell and type the hours. It accepts `1.5`, `90m` or `1h 30m`.

<Note>
  In **Grouped view**, a day cell that already holds several entries cannot be
  retyped in place. You get "This day has multiple entries – edit them in the entry
  list." Click the cell to open the day and edit each entry there.
</Note>

Full detail: [Add time manually](/time-tracking/add-time-manually).

## 5. The Calendar

The Calendar shows your week as a time grid. Drag across a slot to create an
entry with those exact start and end times, or click **Add entry**.

The Calendar app is a Pro feature and needs the Resource Planner app on. See
[Calendar view](/time-tracking/calendar-view).

## Copy last week

If your weeks look alike, you do not have to retype them.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the period you want to fill">
    Go to **Time** and pick the week.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the three-dot menu">
    It sits next to the period total, beside **Submit timesheet**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Copy last week">
    You get a toast such as "Copied 6 rows from last week."
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Copy last week** is only offered on a single-week period, on your own
  timesheet, and while the period is still editable. It copies the shape of last
  week's rows – always check the hours before you submit.
</Warning>

## Example

Sarah Lin is starting a morning of design work on **Website Redesign** for
**Bluebird Coffee**.

* She opens the task board, finds **Homepage wireframes**, and clicks **Start**.
* The timer in the top bar starts, already attached to the task and project.
* At lunch she opens the timer and clicks **Stop timer**.
* A 3-hour billable entry lands on today in her timesheet.

Later she remembers a 30-minute call she never timed. She opens **Time**, uses
**Add entry**, sets the date, picks the same project, types `0:30`, and saves.

## Permissions

Starting a timer and adding an entry both need `time.track`. Editing or deleting
one needs `time.edit`.

Owner, Admin, Project Manager, Member and Contractor hold both. Finance does not
track time. A Client-portal contact holds no internal capabilities at all.

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                                              | What it means                                                                  |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Start** is greyed out                              | Your workspace requires a task or a description first. The tooltip says which. |
| "Stop your running timer before starting a new one." | You already have a timer running. Stop it first.                               |
| A saved entry warns about an overlap                 | The entry still saved. It just shares time with another one.                   |
| The timer is missing from the top bar                | The Time tracking app is off, or you do not hold `time.track`.                 |

More: [Time tracking troubleshooting](/time-tracking/troubleshooting).

## Related guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Using the timer" icon="play" href="/time-tracking/using-the-timer">
    Start, edit and stop a running timer.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add time manually" icon="pencil" href="/time-tracking/add-time-manually">
    Type hours in after the fact.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Calendar view" icon="calendar" href="/time-tracking/calendar-view">
    Draw entries onto a week grid.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fill in a timesheet" icon="table" href="/timesheets/fill-in-a-timesheet">
    Complete a whole period before you submit it.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>