start_timer¶

Start real-time time tracking for an activity with automatic time entry creation when stopped.

Summary¶

The start_timer tool begins active time tracking for a specific activity in EARLY. Unlike creating time entries retroactively, this starts a live timer that runs until you stop it with stop_timer. When stopped, it automatically creates a time entry for the tracked period.

Key Features: - Real-time time tracking with live timer - Automatic time entry creation when timer is stopped - Optional task description for better tracking context - Integration with EARLY's native timer functionality - Seamless workflow with stop_timer

Parameters¶

Usage Patterns¶

1. Basic Timer Start¶

Start timer with just the activity:

{
  "projectId": "proj_development_123"
}

2. Timer with Description¶

Start timer with task context:

{
  "projectId": "proj_client_work_456",
  "description": "Working on login functionality"
}

3. Meeting Timer¶

Start timer for a meeting:

{
  "projectId": "proj_client_meetings_789",
  "description": "Weekly client check-in and project review"
}

Behavior¶

Timer Start Process¶

1. Activity Validation: Verifies the activity ID exists and is accessible
2. Current Timer Check: Checks for any running timers (will stop existing ones)
3. Authentication: Confirms API credentials with EARLY
4. Timer Initialization: Starts the timer via EARLY API v4
5. Response Confirmation: Returns timer details and start confirmation

Timer State Management¶

• Single Active Timer: Only one timer can run at a time
• Automatic Stop: Starting a new timer automatically stops the previous one
• Persistent State: Timer continues running until explicitly stopped
• Cross-Platform: Timer state is synchronized across all EARLY clients

Time Entry Generation¶

When the timer is stopped with stop_timer: - Automatically creates a time entry for the tracked period - Uses the description provided when starting the timer - Calculates duration from start time to stop time - Integrates with EARLY's time tracking history

Examples¶

Start Development Work¶

Begin tracking development time:

{
  "projectId": "proj_web_development_123",
  "description": "Implementing user authentication system"
}

Response:

Timer started successfully!

Details:
- Activity: Web Development
- Description: Implementing user authentication system
- Started: Now
- ID: timer_abc123

Timer is now running...

Quick Administrative Task¶

Start timer for admin work without description:

{
  "projectId": "proj_admin_tasks_456"
}

Response:

Timer started successfully!

Details:
- Activity: Administrative Tasks
- Description: No description
- Started: Now
- ID: timer_def456

Timer is now running...

Client Meeting Timer¶

Track time for a client meeting:

{
  "projectId": "proj_client_consultation_789",
  "description": "Q4 planning session with stakeholder team"
}

Response:

Timer started successfully!

Details:
- Activity: Client Consultation
- Description: Q4 planning session with stakeholder team
- Started: Now
- ID: timer_ghi789

Timer is now running...

Timer Workflow¶

Real-time Tracking Process¶

graph LR
    A[list_activities] --> B[start_timer]
    B --> C[Work Time]
    C --> D[stop_timer]
    D --> E[Time Entry Created]

    F[Switch Tasks] --> B

Typical Timer Session: 1. list_activities → Choose project to work on 2. start_timer → Begin tracking time 3. Do the work → Timer runs in background 4. stop_timer → End session and create time entry 5. Repeat for different tasks/projects

Task Switching¶

When switching between tasks: 1. start_timer with new project ID (automatically stops previous timer) 2. Continue working on new task 3. stop_timer when done 4. Previous timer session is automatically saved as time entry

Error Scenarios¶

Common Errors and Solutions¶

Example Error Response¶

{
  "content": [{
    "type": "text",
    "text": "Operation failed: Activity ID is required to start timer\n\nDebug info:\n- API Key: Present\n- API Secret: Present\n- Base URL: https://api.early.app\n\nProvided arguments: {\"description\": \"forgot activity id\"}"
  }]
}

Invalid Activity Response¶

{
  "content": [{
    "type": "text", 
    "text": "Operation failed: Activity not found\n\nDebug info:\n- API Key: Present\n- API Secret: Present\n- Base URL: https://api.early.app\n\nProvided arguments: {\"projectId\": \"invalid_id\"}"
  }]
}

Related Tools¶

Essential Companion Tools¶

• stop_timer - Required to end timer sessions and create time entries
• list_activities - Required to get valid projectId values
• get_time_entries - Review time entries created from timer sessions
• edit_time_entry - Modify entries created from timer sessions

Alternative Approaches¶

• create_time_entry - Create time entries retroactively instead of real-time tracking

Workflow Integration¶

graph TD
    A[list_activities] --> B[start_timer]
    B --> C[stop_timer]
    C --> D[get_time_entries]
    D --> E[edit_time_entry]

    F[Task Switch] --> B
    G[create_time_entry] -.-> D

Timer-Based Workflow: 1. list_activities → Get available projects 2. start_timer → Begin tracking 3. Work on task → Timer runs 4. stop_timer → Create time entry 5. get_time_entries → Review tracked time 6. edit_time_entry → Make corrections if needed

Best Practices¶

Effective Timer Usage¶

• Start immediately: Begin timer when starting work, not when remembering to track
• Use descriptions: Add context to help with later analysis and reporting
• Switch cleanly: Start new timers for different tasks (auto-stops previous)
• Stop consistently: Always stop timers when switching tasks or finishing work

Task Organization¶

• One task per timer: Don't mix different types of work in single timer session
• Meaningful descriptions: Use descriptions that will make sense later for reporting
• Consistent activity usage: Use the same activity IDs for similar types of work

Time Tracking Discipline¶

• Regular timer use: Make timer starting a habit when beginning work
• Break awareness: Stop timers during breaks to maintain accuracy
• End-of-day cleanup: Ensure all timers are stopped before ending work day

Integration with Workflow¶

• Morning routine: Start with list_activities to see available projects
• Task switching: Use timer starts as task transition markers
• Review habit: Periodically check created time entries for accuracy

Error Prevention¶

• Validate activities: Use list_activities to confirm valid project IDs
• Check credentials: Ensure API keys are properly configured
• Network awareness: Be mindful of connectivity when starting critical timers