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
    61·
    9 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
      3·
      9 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·
        9 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.

  • Certainly_No_Brit@discuss.tchncs.de
    4·
    9 months ago

    I like timeto.me (android). It is designed to log the whole day. It doesn’t seem to support tags, but the checklists might be something similar (?). It doesn’t support exporting to a CSV, but it supports backups and they are in JSON format, so it’s probably good enough.

    It’s a relatively new project and visually iOS-leaning, but it’s the best one I found for specifically this problem.

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

      This is a very nice looking app. Unfortunately, it functions as a timer with editable preset tasks. I want to log how much time I spent working on a task, not work on a task for a specific amount of time.

      • Certainly_No_Brit@discuss.tchncs.de
        3·
        9 months ago

        The preset time is not binding, you can always start a new task earlier or later. The timer is designed more like an alarm clock (it also does get recognised as one by Android). It will sound an alarm at the end of your specified time and 5 minutes after so that you don’t forget to set a new timer.

  • invisiblegorilla@sh.itjust.works
    41·
    9 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.

    • Armageddon@ttrpg.network
      3·
      9 months ago

      definitely recommend. I’ve been using it for a year and a half now and it’s one of my most favorite apps on my phone.

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

      I’ve been using this for the past day, and it is a great app! It seems to cover exactly what I’m looking for, and it’s a pretty well designed app. Thank you for the recommendation!

      • Lemongrab@lemmy.one
        31·
        9 months ago

        Np, I’m glad my random app testing has paid off. Has a nice UI as well which is rare in FOSS.

  • 7heo@lemmy.ml
    1·
    9 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.