Time Tracking Extension
VS Code extension for tracking time spent on tasks and projects.
Features
- ⏱️ Timer: Start and pause the timer
- 📋 Task Management: Create, edit, and delete tasks
- 📊 Kanban Boards: Organize tasks into customizable boards and columns
- 💾 Data Saving: Automatic saving of time and tasks between sessions
- 📊 View Logs: View history of spent time
- 🔄 Status Bar Integration: Minimalist interface in VS Code status bar
- 📱 Activity Bar: Centralized interface for all functions in VS Code activity bar
- 🗂️ Storage Scope: Choose between global tasks (shared across workspaces) or workspace-specific tasks
Installation
Install the extension from VS Code Marketplace or build from source:
npm install
npm run compile
Reload VS Code or use the "Developer: Reload Window" command
Usage
Status Bar
The extension adds elements to the VS Code status bar for convenient timer management:
- When timer is not running: Only one element is shown $(play) Start Timer
- When timer is running: Shows $(clock) Task Name - MM:SS (task name limited to 80 characters), as well as $(debug-pause) Pause and $(stop) Stop buttons
- When timer is paused: Shows active task with time and control buttons
All status bar elements are clickable and allow timer control without opening additional panels.
Activity Bar
The extension provides a "Time Tracking" icon in the VS Code activity bar (left sidebar), which combines all main controls in a tree view:
- Storage Scope: Toggle between global and workspace-specific task storage
- Timer: Next to the item, control icons are displayed ▶️ (Start), ⏹️ (Stop), ⏸️ (Pause); expand to view session history
- Tasks: List of tasks with the ability to select for the timer
How to use:
- In the activity bar, find the clock icon and open the tree
- Use the "Storage Scope" item to choose between global or workspace-specific tasks
- Use the icons next to "Timer" to control the timer
- Expand "Timer" to view recent sessions
Kanban Boards
The extension now supports kanban boards for better task organization:
- Board Management: Create, edit, and delete boards
- Column Organization: Add custom columns to boards (Backlog is default and protected)
- Task Movement: Drag and drop tasks between columns or use context menu
- Board Selection: Switch between different boards in the sidebar
How to use kanban:
- In the activity bar, right-click the board selector to create/edit/delete boards
- Right-click the "Tasks" section to create new columns
- Drag tasks between columns or use the "Move to Column" context menu
- Select different boards using the board selector at the top
Commands
All commands are available through the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) or through the context menu.
Timer Management
Start Timer (tracking-extension.startTimer)
- Starts a new timer
- Offers to select a task from the list (optional)
- Shows a notification about starting
Stop Timer (tracking-extension.stopTimer)
- Stops the active timer
- Saves time to log
- Shows session duration
Pause Timer (tracking-extension.pauseTimer)
- Pauses the active timer
- Time is not counted while timer is paused
Task Management
Data Viewing
Kanban Board Management
Select Board (tracking-extension.selectBoard)
- Choose which board to display in the sidebar
Create Board (tracking-extension.createBoard)
- Creates a new kanban board with a default "Backlog" column
Edit Board (tracking-extension.editBoard)
- Modify board name and description
Delete Board (tracking-extension.deleteBoard)
- Removes a board and migrates tasks to default board
Create Column (tracking-extension.createColumn)
- Adds a new column to the current board
Edit Column (tracking-extension.editColumn)
- Renames an existing column
Delete Column (tracking-extension.deleteColumn)
- Removes a column (only if empty)
Move Task to Column (tracking-extension.moveTaskToColumn)
- Moves a task to a different column
Workflow
Basic Usage
Create a board (optional):
- Right-click the board selector in the sidebar → "Create Board"
- Enter name and description
Create a task:
Ctrl+Shift+P → "Create Task"- Enter name and description
- Task is automatically placed in the "Backlog" column
Start the timer:
- Click on the status bar or use "Start Timer" command
- Select a task from the list
Work on the task
Move task between columns:
- Drag and drop in the sidebar or use "Move to Column" context menu
Stop the timer:
- Use "Stop Timer" command
- Time will be saved automatically
Advanced Workflow
- Pause: Use "Pause Timer" for breaks
- Multiple tasks: Create separate tasks for different projects
- Kanban organization: Use columns to track task progress (Backlog → In Progress → Done)
- Multiple boards: Create different boards for different projects or teams
- View progress: Regularly check time logs via "View Time Logs"
Storage Scope Migration Guide
Upgrading from Previous Versions
If you're upgrading from a version that only supported global storage:
- Default Behavior: The extension defaults to global storage for backward compatibility
- Workspace-Specific Tasks: To use workspace-specific tasks, toggle the storage scope in the sidebar
- Data Migration: When switching scopes, your existing tasks are automatically migrated
- Per-Workspace Settings: Each workspace can have its own storage scope preference
Choosing the Right Storage Scope
- Use Global Storage when you want tasks shared across multiple projects/workspaces
- Use Workspace Storage when you want tasks specific to individual projects
Switching Between Scopes
- Open the Time Tracking sidebar in the activity bar
- Click on the "Storage Scope" item at the top
- Confirm the migration when prompted
- Your tasks will be moved to the new storage location
Note: Timer entries always follow the same storage scope as their associated tasks.
Hotkeys
By default, no hotkeys are assigned. You can configure them in VS Code settings:
Ctrl+Shift+P → "Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts"- Find commands with prefix "tracking-extension."
- Assign convenient key combinations
Data and Storage
The extension supports two storage scopes for tasks and timer data:
Storage Scopes
- Global Storage (default): Tasks and timer data are shared across all VS Code workspaces
- Workspace Storage: Tasks and timer data are specific to each workspace
Switching Storage Scopes
You can switch between storage scopes using:
- The "Storage Scope" item in the activity bar sidebar
- The "Toggle Storage Scope" command from the command palette
- VS Code settings:
tracking-extension.storageScope
When switching scopes, existing tasks are automatically migrated to the new storage location.
Data Persistence
- Tasks: Saved in the selected storage scope (global or workspace)
- Time Logs: Saved in the same scope as their associated tasks
- Settings: Use standard VS Code settings for storage scope preference
Important: Global and workspace storage scopes are completely separate. Tasks created in global scope are not visible in workspace scope, and vice versa. Switching between scopes does not transfer or migrate data.
All data is saved between VS Code restarts and synchronized with VS Code settings.
Troubleshooting
Timer doesn't start
- Make sure the extension is activated (check status bar)
- Try reloading VS Code window
Data not saved
- Check that you have write permissions to VS Code settings folder
- Try restarting VS Code
Commands not displayed
- Make sure the extension is installed and activated
- Try "Developer: Reload Window" command
Development
For extension development:
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Compile
npm run compile
# Watch for changes
npm run watch
# Linting
npm run lint
# Code formatting
npm run format
# Run tests
npm run test
License
MIT
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