Task Time Tracking

Every task in PrimeTask has a built-in timer. Click Start on any task and PrimeTask tracks elapsed time until you click Stop - the session is saved as a time entry with its duration. You can also add time manually if you forgot to start the timer or tracked time elsewhere.

While the timer is running, you can type timestamped notes to capture what you're working on - and later convert those notes into subtasks. The active timer appears in the app header so you always know what you're tracking, no matter where you navigate. If a task belongs to a project, its tracked time (along with focus session time) accumulates in the project's time summary.

Time tracking works from task cards, the task detail page, automations, and AI agents - giving you multiple ways to start and stop the clock.

What you can do

How to track time

From the Task Details Page

To add time without using the timer, click Add to open the manual entry form. Enter hours, minutes, and an optional description, then save.

Only one timer can run at a time across the entire app. If another task's timer is running, the Start button is disabled and a message tells you which task is currently tracking.

From task cards

Every task card (in Board View, List View, and other card-based views) has a timer button in its action bar. Click it to start or stop the timer directly from the card - no need to open the detail page.

Task cards also have a time notes button that expands a panel showing total tracked time, an input for adding notes during the session, and the history of notes and entries for that task. You can start, stop, and add notes all from the card.

From the app header

When a timer is running, the app header shows the active timer: the task name and elapsed time, updated in real time. Click it to navigate directly to the task being tracked. The header timer is always visible regardless of which page you're on, so you never lose track of a running session.

Via automations

PrimeTask includes built-in automation templates for time tracking:

• Start timer when Active - automatically starts the timer when a task's status changes to an active status (like In Progress)
• Stop timer when task completed - automatically stops the timer when a task is marked complete

You can also create custom automation rules that use Timer Started and Timer Stopped as triggers (to do something when tracking begins or ends) or Start Timer and Stop Timer as actions (to control the timer from other events). See Automations Settings.

Via AI agents (MCP)

The PrimeTask MCP server exposes timer tools that AI agents (Claude Code, Cursor, and others) can call:

• Start timer - start tracking for a specific task by name or ID
• Stop timer - stop the active timer, optionally adding a note
• Get active timer - check whether a timer is running and which task it's on
• List time entries - retrieve time entries filtered by task, project, or date range

This lets agents manage your time tracking as part of automated workflows. See External Integrations Settings.

Focus Mode sessions

When you run a Focus Mode session (Pomodoro timer) on a task, the session time is tracked separately from the task timer - but both contribute to the task's total time when viewed at the project level. Focus sessions capture actual focus duration and break duration independently. See Task Focus Mode and Focus Mode.

Things worth knowing

One timer at a time

PrimeTask runs a single timer across the entire app. You can't track time on two tasks simultaneously. If you try to start a timer while another is running, PrimeTask tells you which task currently has the timer. Stop the active timer first, then start a new one.

Timer notes - timestamped observations

While the timer is running, you can type notes and press Enter to capture them. Each note is tagged with a timestamp showing how many seconds into the session it was added. This creates a chronological log of what you did during the session - useful for time reports, stand-ups, or just remembering what you worked on.

Converting notes to subtasks

Any timer note - whether from an active session or a saved entry - can be converted into a subtask with one click. The note text becomes the subtask title, and the subtask inherits the parent task's status, priority, assignees, and project. The original note is removed after conversion.

Manual time entries

If you forgot to start the timer or tracked time in another tool, click Add on the time tracking section to log time manually. Enter the hours and minutes, add an optional description, and save. Manual entries appear alongside timer entries in the task's time history.

Time entry history

Every task shows a list of all time entries - both timer sessions and manual entries. Each entry displays its duration, and timer entries show their notes with timestamps. You can delete entries or individual notes from the history.

Timer persists across app restarts

If you close PrimeTask while a timer is running, the timer state is saved. When you reopen the app, the timer resumes from where it left off - the elapsed time reflects the full duration since you originally clicked Start, including the time the app was closed.

Active timer in the header

The header timer is your at-a-glance indicator that something is being tracked. It shows the task name (truncated if long) and elapsed time in HH:MM:SS format. Click it to navigate to the task. The indicator appears in every page and view throughout the app.

Time tracking on task cards

Task cards show time tracking controls in their action bar - a play/stop button to toggle the timer, and a clock button to expand the time notes panel. The panel shows total tracked time, recent time notes grouped by session, and an input field for adding notes during an active session. This lets you track time and capture notes without leaving your board or list view.

Project time accumulation

When a task belongs to a project, its tracked time contributes to the project's total time. The project's time summary combines two sources:

• Timer entries - from the task time tracker (start/stop sessions + manual entries)
• Focus sessions - from Focus Mode Pomodoro sessions run on project tasks

Both sources are aggregated for every task in the project (including subtasks), giving you a complete picture of time invested.

CRM task time tracking

Time tracked on CRM tasks (tasks linked to a CRM contact or company) is automatically synced to the CRM record. Time entries appear on the CRM task and contribute to CRM reporting. See CRM Tasks.

Common questions

Where to go next