7pace Timetracker Windows Client Overview Follow

Introduction

Windows Client - Idle

• How to configure "Settings" in your Windows Client
• How to view the Organizations paired with your Windows Client
• How to view the Windows Client main window
• How to view your total time tracked today
• How to start tracking on the Windows Client
• How to add time for a DevOps Server/Services work item 
• How to add time for non-DevOps Server/Services work item
• How to add a comment to your time track on the Windows Client
• How to add an activity type to your time track on the Windows Client

Windows Client - Tracking

• How to view your current track time info
• How to stop tracking on the Windows Client
• How to view your current track's work item ID

How to track time with the Windows Client from the work item form

How to exit the Windows Client

Introduction

The optional 7pace Timetracker Windows Client is a lightweight desktop application that tracks the time you spend on project tasks. Downloadable from the "Apps" tab of Timetracker 4, the Windows Client is connected to the project collection in DevOps Server/Services.

Your tracked time is sent in near real-time accuracy from the Client to the 7pace Timetracker system. Conversely, the data available in DevOps Server/Services and 7pace Timetracker is also displayed and used in the Windows Client. When you start tracking with our Windows Client, tracking also begins and is synced with Timetracker 4's Web Client on every web page of our application, and on the work item form. All Clients work on their own or together, to capture your tracked time in the most accurate and efficient way possible.

Windows Client - Idle

This is the main window of the Timetracker 4 Windows Client as it appears after the initial start of the application and while idle.

 1. Settings

Clicking the Settings icon allows you to enable or disable the following:

• Stop tracking when PC is locked
• Use hot keys
• Timetracker starts on Windows startup
• Always on top

Clicking the "About 7pace Timetracker" link displays the following informational pop-up window with links on how to reach the 7pace website, Support, and our user documentation:

2. Organizations

Clicking the Organizations icon allows you to see which accounts you have paired with your Windows Client. You can also see which account is currently connected and switch between accounts if you have paired your client with more than one. The "Add a new organization" link provides instructions on how to download and pair the Windows Client, either directly from the client itself, or via the "Apps" page of of Timetracker's web interface.

3. Client Main Window

Clicking this icon shows the client's main window.

"Current Track" displays "Not tracking" when clients are not being used.

"Started At" and "Total Item" display as blank if not tracking.

For more information on additional fields on this main client window, please see below.

4. Today

The time that you tracked today in total, including all other items you worked on.

5. Start button

The arrow-shaped "Start" button/icon to begin tracking time for a DevOps Server/Services or non-DevOps Server/Services work item.

This button toggles to a square-shaped "Stop" button/icon when tracking has begun.

6. Start tracking

When idle, the client displays "Start Tracking" under the "Start" button/icon.

Once tracking commences, the client displays "Stop Tracking" under the "Stop" button/icon.

7. Tracking time on a DevOps Server/Services work item

This field allows you to enter a work item ID from DevOps Server/Services.

Place your cursor in the "What item are you working on?" text field.

The predictive text feature automatically populates a list of work items that you've been assigned, have tracked on in the past ((non-DevOps Server/Services items you have previously tracked on do not display in this list) or that are in progress (the list is currently limited to 10 work items).

You can then select an item in the list or click "Cancel" to return to the previous window ("X" closes the client window; to reopen, look in your system tray).

You can also place your cursor in the text field and manually start typing a work item ID or title and the system will perform a search for matching DevOps Server/Services items. Selecting an item in the resulting list will return you to the original window, with the item now displaying in the text field.

You can then add an optional "Comment" (unless your admin has made "Comment" a required field in Settings -> Rules) and/or activity type from the dropdown and click the "Start Tracking" button.

7. Tracking time on a non-DevOps Server/Services work item

To track time on a non-DevOps Server/Services work item, you must first clear the work item text field by clicking the "X" icon, as indicated in the screen shot, below:

Once the work item field is empty, you must type additional information into the "Comment" field to enable the "Start Tracking" button (Important: your admin must ensure that under Settings -> Rules -> Tracking Details, "Always require a work item" is unchecked). The activity type field (shows as "User default" in this example) is optional.

Click the "Start Tracking" button to start tracking your time.

8. Add a comment

Add a comment to your DevOps Server/Services work item or leave the "What item are you working on" field blank and add a required comment to track time on a non-DevOps Server/Services item. This can be configured/set as optional or required by your admin under Settings -> Rules -> Tracking Details.

9. Add an Activity Type

If your administrator has enabled this option under the Configuration tab of Timetracker, you can select an activity type that best reflects your current work item. 

Windows Client - Tracking

This is the main window of the 7pace Timetracker 4 Windows Client as it appears when tracking on a work item:

1. Current Track Info

"Current Track" shows your tracked time in HH:MM:SS format. This changes from "Not tracking" when idle to a stopwatch of sorts when tracking commences, and reflects the time since you last hit the "Start" button. This time is reset every time you click the "Stop" and "Start" button, even if you continue working on the same work item.

"Started At" displays the exact time you started tracking on this item since clicking the "Start" button.

"Total Item" reflects the time that you spent on the specified item in total, including days other than today.

2. Stop Tracking

The square-shaped toggle "Stop" button/icon to begin tracking time for a DevOps Server/Services or non-DevOps Server/Services work item.

When clicked and idle again, the client displays "Start Tracking" under the "Start" button/icon.

3. Current Track work item

This displays the current work item ID and name on which you are tracking. The work item ID is clickable and opens the work item form.

Tracking time with the Windows Client from the work item form

For more information on the Windows Client installation and pairing process, please see the 7pace Timetracker Windows Client Installation and Pairing Guide.

1. Open a work item to view or edit the "Details" tab.  

You will see the Start Tracking button.

2. Click on the "Start Tracking" button on the work item form.

This initiates tracking on the Windows Client (and the the Web Client that is built into every page of 7pace Timetracker).

Exiting the Windows Client 

This the main window of Timetracker 3 Desktop Client as it appears when tracking on a work item: ID Description 1 The work item ID from Team Foundation Server on which you are currently tracking time. When you click in this field, you can also view the list of work items that you have previously tracked time on or that are in progress. This list is currently limited to 15 work items. 2 The interactive time information panel displays your tracked time and the current mode. You can click on this panel to view different modes, one after the other. For more information about modes, see #10, below. 3 Your tracked time, shown in HH:MM format. 4 The TFS iteration path for the current work item in the "[Project]\[Release]\[Sprint]" format. 5 The Timetracker client displays the following color codes to indicate the type of work item on which you are currently tracking time: Yellow (): Indicates that you are tracking time on a work item or a task. Green (): Indicates that you are tracking time on a product backlog item. Red (): Indicates that you are tracking time on a bug. Gray (): Indicates that you are tracking time on a non-TFS item. 6 The work item IDs with hyperlinks that when clicked on, directly open the work item details window in Team Foundation Server. Timetracker opens your default browser with the URL of that work item. Note: The Timetracker client displays two work item IDs: The first is the one that you chose to track your time; the second links to the parent item of the specified work item. If the work item does not have any parent work item, you will see "This is a root item without any hyperlink." displayed. 7 The TFS work item title. 8 The story point estimated for the parent work item. "SP" is the abbreviation for "Story Points" and indicates the effort estimated in complexity or functional points in Team Foundation Server. You can find this number in TFS labeled as Effort in the "Product Backlog Item" type list. 9 The total number of hours that have been spent by all team members on this parent item. The effort ("SP") and this number provides an indicator of the current pace, as used in agile methodologies (Hours/SP=pace). 10 Mode indicator for the displayed time. The following modes are available: My Item Totals: The time that you spent on the specified item in total, including days other than today. Team Item Totals: The time that the whole team has spent on the specified item in total, including days other than today. My Totals Today: The time that you tracked today in total, including all other items you worked on. Current track: The time since you last hit the "Start" button. This time is reset every time you click the "Stop" and "Start" button, even if you continue working on the same work item. Note: These modes only affect the time display. Nothing else is changed.   Timetracker 3 | Exiting the Windows Client Use the exit option to close your Windows Client. In the Windows system tray, right-click the client icon and click Exit.   Related Articles 7pace Timetracker Client Installation and Pairing Guide 7pace Timetracker Client: Uninstalling 7paceTimetracker 7pace Timetracker Client Time Tracking with TFS/Non-TFS Work Items 7pace Timetracker Client Start Time Adjustment