Get Time Tracking Status via MCP: What is Running Now

Developer reference for the get_tracking_status MCP tool. Learn how to check if time tracking is currently active and which task is being tracked. Includes example tool calls, natural language prompts, edge cases, and troubleshooting.

Tool Overview

Purpose

The get_tracking_status tool checks if a timer is currently running and returns details about the active tracking session. Use this tool before starting a new timer to avoid conflicts, or to check what task is currently being tracked.

Read-only operation: This tool only reads data - it never modifies time tracking.

Input Parameters

The tool requires no parameters. It returns the current tracking status for your workspace.

Output Format

The tool returns the current tracking status:

When a timer is running:

{
  "is_running": true,
  "task_id": 123,
  "task_title": "Implement login feature",
  "started_at": "2026-03-19T10:30:00Z"
}

When no timer is running:

{
  "is_running": false,
  "task_id": null,
  "task_title": null,
  "started_at": null
}

Response Fields

• is_running: Boolean indicating if a timer is currently active
• task_id: ID of the task being tracked (null if no timer)
• task_title: Title of the task (null if no timer)
• started_at: Timestamp when timer was started (null if no timer)

Example Tool Calls

Example 1: Check Tracking Status

Tool Call (JSON):

{
  "tool": "get_tracking_status",
  "arguments": {}
}

Returns: Current tracking status object

Natural Language Prompt Examples

Checking Before Starting Timer

User Prompt:

"Check if any timer is running, then start tracking on task #123"

AI Behavior:

1. AI calls get_tracking_status
2. If timer exists, AI warns user and asks to stop first
3. If no timer, AI proceeds to start timer on task #123

Checking Current Timer

User Prompt:

"What task am I currently tracking time on?"

AI Behavior:

1. AI calls get_tracking_status
2. AI reports: "You're tracking time on: Login Feature (started 2 hours ago)"
3. Or: "No timer is currently running"

Common Use Cases

• Time Tracking Basics - Check status before starting new timers
• Time Tracking Hygiene - Detect long-running timers
• Start Timer - Always check status before starting
• Stop Timer - Check status before stopping

Edge Cases

No Timer Running

Situation: No timer is currently active

Response:

{
  "is_running": false,
  "task_id": null,
  "task_title": null,
  "started_at": null
}

Handling: This is normal - you can start a new timer

Troubleshooting

Always Returns No Timer

Symptom: Always returns is_running: false even when timer should be running

Causes:

• Timer was stopped in another session
• Timer expired or was cleared
• Workspace issue

Fix:

• Verify timer in Corcava web interface
• Try starting a new timer
• Check workspace settings

Best Practices

Using get_tracking_status Effectively

• ✅ Always call get_tracking_status before start_time_tracking
• ✅ Check status before stopping to verify timer exists
• ✅ Use status to prevent multiple timers
• ✅ Show current timer details to user before actions

Related Tools

Often used together with:

• start_time_tracking - Check status before starting
• stop_time_tracking - Check status before stopping
• get_task - Get task details for the tracked task