I’m trying to keep a log of the time that I spend doing specific tasks throughout the day. Currently, the way that I am doing this is by constantly running a stopwatch and filling out a spreadsheet for the day — when a task is completed, I lap the stopwatch and add the task and the time spent on that task in a row in the spreadsheet. It does the job, but it is very tedious. Does anyone have a recommendation for an app that can do this for me? I would like it to:

  • Log the time constantly (when a task is completed, immedately start a new task)
  • Time a task
  • Allow naming of tasks
  • (optional) Allow categorizing of tasks with tags
  • (optional) Show graphics for how time is spent each day, and statistics on how much time is spent
  • The ability to export the data (e.g. CSV)

It would probably be the most convenient for this to be an Android app, but I am also open to suggestions for a Desktop (Linux) app.

  • potajito@lemmy.world
    5·
    11 months ago

    Activity watch does all that automatically! Needs some tinkering to setup, especially the android and desktop sync, but it’s there.

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      Neat project. The choice to use a web UI is… interesting. Unfortunate that it doesn’t support Wayland for tracking open windows yet. Also, the stopwatch feature is experimental and isn’t fully implemented.

      Update (2024-03-27T07:41Z): After doing some more research, it appears to be standard design for this sort of software to use a client-server structure. I’m not sure if this exactly fits my usecase. I suppose, ideally, it would be great if I could be able to interract with the activity tracker on all my devices. Unfortunately, however, the ActivityWatch docs state that, currently, it only supports listening on localhost [source].

      • potajito@lemmy.world
        1·
        11 months ago

        It does support wayland, kde gnome and something else as a fork, search for “aw-bundle” sorry on my phone right now! The bundle also tracks a couple of things more like gaming and music I think,check de github from the dude.

  • invisiblegorilla@sh.itjust.works
    32·
    11 months ago

    How’s your python. Its a pretty simple thing to make in python… It won’t care about the platform you choose to run it on.

    I’m at the pub right now, but for a quick solution… I made this. It’ll save as a CSV as it goes.

    Just tested on android ide so doesn’t look pretty but I can make up a slicker interface if you want?? I can also package it as a binary and publish on github if you didn’t find something suitable.

    Enter the task name, hit start to trigger stopwatch, and stop when you’re done.

  • 7heo@lemmy.ml
    1·
    11 months ago

    I think Time Cop answers your request the best.

    It is on f-droid (ca.hamaluik.timecop).

    Unfortunately, even tho it works well for your use case (you would have to turn on the option to have only one task at a time), it makes very basic use of notifications, and has no widget… It could be so much more.

    Edit: I discovered it yesterday while perusing this thread (I have been searching for a time management software for a long time, so I checked all the suggestions one by one on f-droid, and when searching for “a time tracker”, I found it), and I have been using since. Very cool software. Works well, very usable. I highly recommend it.