# Desktop Timer {#desktop-timer}


The Desktop Timer is the primary time tracking application for employees.


## Features {#features}


- **One-click timer** — start/stop tracking with project + task
- **Screenshot capture** — periodic screenshots at configurable intervals
- **Activity monitoring** — keyboard/mouse activity percentage
- **Idle detection** — pauses tracking and prompts on idle
- **System tray** — background operation with tray icon
- **Offline mode** — tracks time offline, syncs when connected
- **Multi-monitor** — captures screenshots from all monitors
- **Auto-start** — optional launch on system startup


## Timer Flow {#timer-flow}


```
1. Employee logs in
2. Selects organization, project, and task
3. Clicks "Start" → timer begins
4. Every 10 minutes:
   - Screenshot captured
   - Activity level calculated
   - Time slot created and synced
5. Employee clicks "Stop" → time log finalized
```


## Configuration {#configuration}



### From API Server {#from-api-server}


Settings pushed from server configuration:

| Setting              | Description              |
| -------------------- | ------------------------ |
| Screenshot interval  | Minutes between captures |
| Random screenshot    | Randomize timing         |
| Track on sleep       | Track during idle        |
| Allow manual time    | Permit manual entries    |
| Allow screen capture | Enable screenshots       |


### Local Settings {#local-settings}


| Setting               | Default | Description                 |
| --------------------- | ------- | --------------------------- |
| Auto-start            | Off     | Launch on OS boot           |
| Minimize to tray      | On      | Minimize to system tray     |
| Desktop notifications | On      | Show tracking notifications |
| Monitor selection     | All     | Which monitors to capture   |


## Screenshots {#screenshots}



### Capture Process {#capture-process}


1. Timer triggers at configured interval
2. Screenshot captured from selected monitors
3. Thumbnail generated for quick preview
4. Full image uploaded to configured storage
5. Associated with current time slot


### Storage {#storage}


Screenshots follow the platform's file storage configuration (`FILE_PROVIDER`):

- Local filesystem
- AWS S3
- Wasabi
- DigitalOcean Spaces
- Cloudinary


## Idle Detection {#idle-detection}


1. System monitors keyboard/mouse input
2. After configurable idle threshold → prompt appears
3. Employee chooses:
   - **Keep** — idle time counted
   - **Remove** — idle period deleted
   - **Resume** — tracking continues from current time


## Related Pages {#related-pages}


- [Desktop Overview](https://sourcey-gauzy.pages.dev/desktop/desktop-overview/index.md)
- [Time Tracking](https://sourcey-gauzy.pages.dev/features/time-tracking/index.md) — feature details
- [Activity Tracking](https://sourcey-gauzy.pages.dev/features/activity-tracking/index.md) — screenshots + activity