Blink Time Tracker for VS Code

Professional time tracking with Projects, Tasks, and Spotify integration - all inside VS Code.

Blink Time Tracker helps you track your development time effortlessly while you code. With seamless Spotify integration, visual timesheet calendar, and automatic task creation from folders, Blink makes time tracking feel natural.

✨ Features

⏱️ Time Tracking

• One-Click Timer: Start/stop/toggle timer from status bar or commands
• Real-Time Display: See current task and elapsed time in the status bar
• Smart Notifications: Get notified when timer starts/stops
• Background Tracking: Timer continues running even when VS Code is minimized

📊 Visual Timesheet

• Calendar View: Beautiful monthly calendar showing all your tracked time
• Daily Breakdown: See time entries for each day with task names and durations
• Week/Month Totals: Aggregate time totals displayed clearly
• High-Contrast Design: Easy-to-read time displays optimized for VS Code themes

📁 Projects & Tasks

• Sidebar Views: Dedicated Projects and Tasks tree views in Activity Bar
• Quick Creation: Create projects and tasks instantly from commands
• Folder Integration: Create projects from workspace root folders
• Task from Folder: Generate tasks automatically from any folder in your workspace
• Git Branch Integration: Optionally create tasks from Git branch names (prompt/auto/off)

🎵 Spotify Integration

• Full Playback Control: Play, pause, next, previous track from VS Code
• Status Bar Display: See currently playing song and artist
• Playlist Management: Browse and play your Spotify playlists
• Auto-Refresh: Status updates every 3 seconds for real-time sync
• Professional Auth: Secure OAuth2 flow with polished callback pages

🔐 Authentication

• Multiple Sign-In Options: GitHub, Google, GitLab, or Email OTP
• Secure Storage: Tokens stored in VS Code's secure SecretStorage
• Auto-Configuration: User ID and settings auto-configured after sign-in
• Beautiful Auth Pages: Professional gradient designs with animated success states

🎨 User Experience

• Native VS Code UI: Fully integrated with VS Code's design language
• Theme Support: Adapts to your VS Code theme (light/dark)
• Unified Error Toasts: Clear, consistent error messages
• Activity Bar Icon: Quick access from the sidebar with custom Blink icon
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Efficient workflow with command palette integration

🚀 Getting Started

Installation

1. Install from VS Code Marketplace:

   ext install ZenroyChance.blink-time-tracker
   

   Or search for "Blink Time Tracker" in the Extensions view (Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X)

2. Click the Blink icon in the Activity Bar (left sidebar)

3. Sign in with GitHub, Google, GitLab, or Email

4. Start tracking time! 🎉

First Steps

1. Create a Project:

   • Click the "+" icon in Projects view
   • Or run command: Blink: New Project
   • Or right-click workspace folder and create project from root

2. Create a Task:

   • Click the "+" icon in Tasks view
   • Or run command: Blink: New Task
   • Or right-click any folder to create task from it

3. Start Timer:

   • Click the task in Tasks view
   • Or use status bar icon
   • Or run command: Blink: Start Timer

4. Connect Spotify (Optional):

   • Run command: Blink: Connect Spotify
   • Authorize in browser
   • Control playback from VS Code!

⌨️ Commands

Access all commands via Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P):

⚙️ Configuration

Configure Blink in VS Code Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,):

{
  // Base URL for the Blink backend server
  "blink.serverBaseUrl": "https://blink-time-tracker.vercel.app",
  
  // Authentication endpoint (defaults to serverBaseUrl)
  "blink.authBaseUrl": "https://blink-time-tracker.vercel.app",
  
  // User ID (auto-filled after sign-in)
  "blink.userId": "",
  
  // Auto-create tasks from Git branches
  "blink.autoTaskFromBranch": "prompt", // "off" | "prompt" | "auto"
  
  // Sanitize redirect URLs for local development
  "blink.sanitizeRedirectHost": true
}

Local Development Setup

For local development with Blink backend:

{
  "blink.serverBaseUrl": "http://localhost:3001",
  "blink.authBaseUrl": "http://localhost:3001"
}

Make sure your local Blink server is running before using the extension.

🎯 Use Cases

• Freelancers: Track billable hours per client project
• Consultants: Generate accurate timesheets for invoicing
• Remote Teams: Maintain transparency on task progress
• Personal Productivity: Understand where your time goes
• Project Managers: Monitor team time allocation

🛠️ Requirements

• VS Code 1.75.0 or higher
• Internet connection for authentication and Spotify features
• Blink backend server (hosted or local)

📝 Tips & Tricks

• Keyboard First: Use Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P to access all commands quickly
• Status Bar: Click timer in status bar for quick start/stop
• Task Selection: Switch tasks without stopping timer - time auto-saves to previous task
• Spotify: Click song name in status bar to open playlist picker
• Timesheet: Use visual calendar to review past time entries
• Folders: Right-click any folder in Explorer to create project/task from it

🐛 Troubleshooting

Timer not starting?

• Make sure you've signed in (Blink: Sign In)
• Check that serverBaseUrl is correct in settings
• Verify internet connection

Spotify not connecting?

• Run Blink: Connect Spotify again
• Check that Spotify is open and playing
• Wait 3-5 seconds for status to update

Authentication issues?

• Clear stored credentials: Blink: Set User ID → enter new ID
• Try signing out and back in
• Check authBaseUrl in settings

🔗 Links

• GitHub Repository
• Report Issues
• Blink Backend

📄 License

ISC License - See LICENSE file for details

Made for developers who value their time