Starting and stopping timers
Plutio has a global timer that stays visible across every page. Press T on your keyboard to toggle the timer from anywhere. When the multiple timers setting is enabled, you can run multiple timers at the same time, so switching between tasks doesn't require stopping one timer before starting another. When disabled, starting a new timer automatically stops the existing one. The running timer shows elapsed time with a compact display (e.g., "5m", "1h"). When multiple timers are running, a count badge appears instead.
How to start a timer
- Click the timer button or press T. A new timer starts running immediately.
- Link the timer to a task or project (optional). You can pick a task and project from the dropdowns. Linking pre-fills the task name, project, and applicable billing rate.
- Add a description (optional). The description helps identify what the time was spent on when reviewing entries later.
Timers can also be started directly on a task (which automatically links the entry to that task and its project), from the time tracking page, or from the global quick-add menu.
How to stop a timer
- Click the running timer to open the timer panel.
- Click the stop button next to the timer you want to stop. Plutio creates a time entry with the elapsed duration calculated automatically.
- Review the entry before saving. You can adjust the description, task link, billable/non-billable toggle, and category.
If multiple timers are running, each one is stopped independently and produces its own time entry.
How to add a manual time entry
- Open Timesheets, or go to a project's timesheet tab.
- Click "Add entry" to open the manual entry form.
- Enter the duration (or set a start and end time). Manual entries let you log time that wasn't tracked with a live timer.
- Fill in the details: date, task (optional), project (optional), description, category, and billable/non-billable toggle.
- Save the entry. Manual entries and timer-based entries are identical in the timesheet. Both carry the same billing rates, categories, and invoice eligibility regardless of how the time was captured.
Time entry fields
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Yes | How long the work took (auto-calculated for timers, manual for hand entries) |
| Date | Yes | The date the work was performed |
| Task | No | The task the time is tracked against |
| Project | No | The project the time is tracked against |
| Description | No | Notes about what the time was spent on |
| Billable | No | Whether the entry counts toward billable hours (on by default) |
| Category | No | A label for grouping time entries (e.g. design, development, meetings) |
