How to Build a Smart Time Tracker with Idle Detection

Simple Summary

Build a smart time tracking application with idle detection to help users boost productivity and manage their time effectively.

Product Requirements Document (PRD)

Goals:

• Develop a time tracking application with automatic idle detection
• Provide users with accurate insights into their productivity
• Create a user-friendly interface for easy time management

Target Audience:

• Professionals, freelancers, and students looking to improve time management
• Remote workers needing to track billable hours
• Anyone interested in analyzing their work patterns and productivity

Key Features:

1. Automatic time tracking
2. Idle time detection and exclusion
3. Project and task categorization
4. Detailed reports and analytics
5. Cross-platform synchronization
6. Customizable idle detection settings
7. Export functionality for invoicing and reporting

User Requirements:

• Simple, intuitive interface for starting and stopping time tracking
• Ability to manually edit tracked time entries
• Customizable idle time thresholds
• Visual representations of time spent on different tasks/projects
• Notifications for extended idle periods
• Data privacy and security measures

User Flows

1. Time Tracking:

   • User logs in
   • Selects project/task
   • Starts timer
   • App tracks time and detects idle periods
   • User stops timer or switches tasks
   • Time entry is saved with idle time excluded

2. Reporting:

   • User navigates to reports section
   • Selects date range and projects/tasks to include
   • Views visual representation of time spent
   • Exports report in desired format (PDF, CSV, etc.)

3. Settings Configuration:

   • User accesses settings menu
   • Adjusts idle detection sensitivity
   • Configures notification preferences
   • Sets up project/task categories
   • Saves changes

Technical Specifications

• Frontend: React for cross-platform compatibility
• Backend: Node.js with Express for API development
• Database: MongoDB for flexible data storage
• Authentication: JWT for secure user sessions
• Idle Detection: Custom JavaScript module using mouse/keyboard events
• State Management: Redux for managing application state
• Styling: Styled-components for modular CSS
• Testing: Jest and React Testing Library
• Continuous Integration: GitHub Actions

API Endpoints

• POST /api/auth/register
• POST /api/auth/login
• GET /api/time-entries
• POST /api/time-entries
• PUT /api/time-entries/:id
• DELETE /api/time-entries/:id
• GET /api/projects
• POST /api/projects
• PUT /api/projects/:id
• DELETE /api/projects/:id
• GET /api/reports
• GET /api/user/settings
• PUT /api/user/settings

Database Schema

Users:

• _id: ObjectId
• email: String
• password: String (hashed)
• name: String
• settings: Object

TimeEntries:

• _id: ObjectId
• userId: ObjectId
• projectId: ObjectId
• description: String
• startTime: Date
• endTime: Date
• duration: Number
• idleTime: Number

Projects:

• _id: ObjectId
• userId: ObjectId
• name: String
• color: String

File Structure

Implementation Plan

1. Project Setup (1-2 days)

   • Initialize React project
   • Set up Node.js backend
   • Configure MongoDB connection
   • Implement basic routing

2. Authentication (2-3 days)

   • Develop registration and login endpoints
   • Implement JWT authentication
   • Create frontend auth components

3. Core Functionality (5-7 days)

   • Develop time tracking component
   • Implement idle detection algorithm
   • Create project/task management features
   • Build basic reporting functionality

4. Data Management (3-4 days)

   • Set up Redux for state management
   • Implement CRUD operations for time entries and projects
   • Develop data synchronization between frontend and backend

5. Reporting and Analytics (4-5 days)

   • Create detailed report generation
   • Implement data visualization components
   • Develop export functionality

6. User Settings and Customization (2-3 days)

   • Build settings interface
   • Implement customizable idle detection thresholds
   • Create notification system

7. Testing and Refinement (3-4 days)

   • Write unit and integration tests
   • Perform usability testing
   • Refine UI/UX based on feedback

8. Deployment and Documentation (2-3 days)

   • Set up deployment pipeline
   • Write user and developer documentation
   • Perform final testing and bug fixes

Deployment Strategy

1. Choose a cloud platform (e.g., Heroku, AWS, or DigitalOcean)
2. Set up separate environments for development, staging, and production
3. Use Docker for containerization to ensure consistency across environments
4. Implement a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions
5. Set up automated database backups and monitoring
6. Use a CDN for static asset delivery
7. Implement SSL encryption for all communications
8. Set up logging and error tracking (e.g., Sentry)
9. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing

Design Rationale

The application is designed with a focus on user experience and efficiency. React was chosen for its component-based architecture, allowing for reusable UI elements and efficient updates. Node.js and Express provide a lightweight, scalable backend. MongoDB offers flexibility for storing varied time entry data.

The idle detection feature is implemented client-side for real-time responsiveness, with server validation to prevent manipulation. Redux is used for state management to handle complex data flows and enable features like offline mode.

The file structure separates concerns for easier maintenance and scalability. The implementation plan prioritizes core functionality early to allow for iterative improvement based on user feedback. The deployment strategy emphasizes security and scalability, ensuring the application can grow with its user base.