# TimesFlow — Complete Product Description

Canonical URL: https://timesflow.app
Download: https://timesflow.app/download
Releases: https://timesflow.app/releases
Privacy: https://timesflow.app/privacy
News: https://timesflow.app/news

## What is TimesFlow?

TimesFlow is a cross-platform desktop application (macOS and Windows) that automatically tracks which applications and websites you use throughout the day — without any manual input. It uses 2-second sampling to record your active window, then aggregates this data into dashboards, heatmaps, reports, and gamified achievements.

TimesFlow is designed around one core insight: most time tracking tools show you data but don't help you change behavior. TimesFlow addresses this with a gamification system — milestone celebration animations, achievement unlocks, experience points, and level progression — to create positive reinforcement for productive work habits.

## Who is TimesFlow for?

- Software developers and engineers who want to understand how much time they spend in different tools (VS Code, browsers, Slack, terminals)
- Designers who want to track creative vs. administrative time
- Freelancers and consultants who need accurate time records for billing
- Remote workers and people working from home who want to improve focus
- Anyone trying to reduce screen time on distracting apps
- Knowledge workers building better work habits

## Core Features

### Automatic Time Tracking
TimesFlow samples the active foreground application every 2 seconds. No timers to start or stop. It records app name, window title (optional), browser domain (optional), and idle status. All tracking happens locally on your device.

### Focus Mode
Active 25/50/90-minute focus timer. When a session ends, TimesFlow triggers a milestone celebration with animations and achievement points. The macOS menu bar shows a live countdown and allows one-click focus session start.

### Gamification System
- **Achievements**: 100+ unlockable achievements across 4 rarity tiers (Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary)
- **Levels**: 10 experience levels unlocked through consistent tracked usage
- **Daily Quests**: Small daily challenges that award bonus points
- **Streak System**: Consecutive active days tracked with visual calendar
- **Milestone Celebrations**: Animated popups with particle effects when focus milestones are reached (25 min, 60 min, 90 min)

### Smart Categories
Apps are auto-categorized using a rule engine. Users can customize categories with color labels and productivity scores (-1 to +1 scale). Category breakdown appears in all reports.

### Goal System
Five goal types: daily focus time, daily active time, category target, category limit, and efficiency percentage. Free plan: 2 goals. Pro plan: unlimited. Smart suggestions based on 7-day historical average (suggests 10% above current median).

### Visual Analytics
- Hourly activity chart (active vs. idle breakdown)
- Top 5 apps by usage with percentage
- Category pie/donut chart
- GitHub-style heatmap calendar (daily or hourly view)
- Weekly and monthly reports

### AI Weekly Insights (Pro)
Pro users can opt in to receive AI-generated natural language analysis of their weekly usage patterns. TimesFlow sends aggregated statistics (not raw events) to a server-side Claude API endpoint and returns 2-3 sentences of personalized observations and one specific improvement suggestion.

### Multi-Device Cloud Sync (Pro)
Pro users can sync tracking data across multiple macOS/Windows machines. Uses conflict-resolution logic: same device same time period takes the longer duration; different devices keep both records merged into total time.

### Privacy Architecture
All tracking data is stored in SQLite on the local device. No data leaves the device without explicit user action. Cloud sync is opt-in and Pro-only. Window titles and browser URLs can be disabled independently. Domain blacklisting is supported. The app uses macOS Accessibility API for window detection — this permission is required and explained during onboarding.

### Data Export
Pro users can export activity data as CSV (raw events) or JSON. PDF weekly report export uses client-side rendering (jsPDF).

### macOS Menu Bar
Native Tauri tray icon with:
- Live today's focus time
- Current tracked app name
- Start focus session (25 min preset)
- Open main window
- Quit

## Pricing

### Free (forever)
- Real-time activity tracking
- Daily dashboard and stats
- Basic heatmap (7-day view)
- Up to 3 custom categories
- Up to 2 active goals
- First 10 achievements

### Pro — $8/month or $68/year ($5.67/month)
- Everything in Free
- Full gamification (100+ achievements, 10 levels)
- Advanced reports (weekly and monthly)
- Unlimited categories and goals
- Cloud sync across devices
- Data export (CSV/JSON/PDF)
- AI weekly insights
- Web dashboard access
- 8 color themes + custom colors
- Priority support

### Lifetime — $128 one-time
- All Pro features, forever
- No subscription

## Technical Details

- **Desktop app**: Tauri 2 (Rust backend + React frontend)
- **Local storage**: SQLite
- **Tracking**: macOS Accessibility API (window detection), browser extension optional for URL tracking
- **Sync backend**: Next.js API routes + PostgreSQL (Prisma)
- **Auth**: Better Auth (Apple OAuth, Google OAuth, email/password)
- **Payments**: Stripe
- **Operating systems**: macOS and Windows
- **Architecture**: Arm64 (Apple Silicon) and x64 (Intel) native builds

## Comparison with Alternatives

### vs. RescueTime
RescueTime requires a cloud account and sends all data to their servers. TimesFlow is local-first with optional sync. TimesFlow adds gamification and a one-time purchase option. RescueTime has been in market longer and has more integrations.

### vs. Toggl Track
Toggl requires manual timer start/stop. TimesFlow is fully automatic. Toggl is better for client billing workflows. TimesFlow is better for personal productivity awareness without manual overhead.

### vs. Clockify
Clockify is team-oriented and manual. TimesFlow is for individual automatic tracking. Clockify has project/client management; TimesFlow has gamification and behavioral habit tools.

### vs. macOS Screen Time
Built-in Screen Time is app-only and mobile-focused. TimesFlow adds productivity scoring, goal setting, heatmaps, achievements, focus mode, AI insights, and exports. TimesFlow also works on Windows.

### vs. Timing (macOS)
Timing is macOS-only and subscription-based. TimesFlow supports Windows too and has a one-time lifetime option. TimesFlow adds gamification; Timing has stronger manual time entry and project tagging.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Does TimesFlow require an account?**
A: No. All core features work without an account. An account is only needed for cloud sync (Pro feature).

**Q: Is my data private?**
A: Yes. All tracking data is stored locally in SQLite on your device. Nothing is uploaded without your consent. Cloud sync is opt-in for Pro users only.

**Q: Does it slow down my computer?**
A: TimesFlow uses a lightweight Rust backend with 2-second polling. CPU usage is typically <1%. The app stays in the macOS menu bar when minimized.

**Q: Can I use it offline?**
A: Yes. All core features work fully offline including tracking, analytics, heatmaps, goals, and achievements.

**Q: What permissions does it need?**
A: macOS Accessibility permission is required to detect the active application window. Screen recording is NOT required. An optional browser extension can capture URLs for web time tracking.

**Q: Is there a free trial for Pro?**
A: New accounts get a free trial period of Pro features automatically. No credit card required to start.

**Q: Does it work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?**
A: Yes. Native Apple Silicon (arm64) build is available for full performance.

## Contact and Resources

- Website: https://timesflow.app
- Download: https://timesflow.app/download
- Releases: https://timesflow.app/releases
- Privacy Policy: https://timesflow.app/privacy
- Support: https://timesflow.app/about