First Setup
Set up your workspace with categories, topics, and clients so you can start tracking time.
Overview
Before tracking time, you need to create at least one category and one topic. This guide walks you through the initial setup process, whether you're a freelancer working solo or setting up for a team.
Step 1: Create Your First Category
Categories are high-level groupings for your work. Most users create categories like "Client Work", "Internal", or by client name.
- 1Navigate to Navigate to
- 2Click Click
- 3Enter a name (e.g., "Client Work" or "Acme Corp")
- 4Choose a color — this will appear on calendar entries and charts
- 5Click Click
Category Strategy
If you work with multiple clients, create one category per client. If you're tracking personal productivity, try categories like "Deep Work", "Meetings", and "Admin".
Step 2: Add Topics to Your Category
Topics are the specific projects or tasks you track time against. Each topic belongs to a category and can have its own hourly rate.
- 1In Timer Settings, find your category and click the In Timer Settings, find your category and click the button next to it
- 2Enter a topic name (e.g., "Website Redesign" or "API Development")
- 3Set an Set an if this work is billable (e.g., $85/hour)
- 4Toggle Toggle on if you want this time to appear in invoices
- 5Click Click
Note
Topics with hourly rates automatically calculate earnings as you track time. You can always edit rates later — changes only affect future entries.
Step 3: Add Clients (Optional)
If you're billing clients, add their information to generate professional invoices.
- 1In In , go to the , go to the tab
- 2Click Click
- 3Enter the client's name and contact details
- 4Link topics to this client by editing each topic
Tip
Client information appears on invoices. Add their full business name, address, and email for professional-looking invoices.
What Happens Next
- Your categories appear in the sidebar and Quick Start panel
- Topics show up on the Timer page, ready to track
- Hourly rates calculate earnings automatically
- You can start creating invoices from tracked time
Example Setup
Here's how a typical freelance developer might set up their workspace:
Categories & Topics
Acme Corp
• Dashboard Redesign — $95/hr
• API Integration — $95/hr
• Bug Fixes — $85/hr
• API Integration — $95/hr
• Bug Fixes — $85/hr
Startup XYZ
• MVP Development — $100/hr
• Technical Consulting — $120/hr
• Technical Consulting — $120/hr
Internal
• Admin & Invoicing — Non-billable• Admin & Invoicing — Non-billable • Learning — Non-billable