Desktop Application Integration

Overview

Corcava's desktop time tracking application provides seamless integration with your web-based project management system. The desktop app connects through secure API endpoints to enable automatic time tracking, project synchronization, and screenshot capture while you work. This integration ensures accurate time capture with minimal disruption to your workflow.

Understanding how the desktop application works will help you maximize the accuracy and efficiency of your time tracking while maintaining professional records for client billing and team coordination.

Desktop App Connection & Authentication

Secure Authentication System

Desktop App Login Process: The desktop application uses dedicated authentication endpoints for secure connection:

Authentication Features:

Dedicated Desktop Login - Separate secure authentication specifically for desktop app
Secure Connection - Professional-grade security for desktop app access
Automatic Session Management - Seamless login and session handling
Instant Project Access - Your assigned projects loaded immediately upon login
Team Integration - Optional integration with team communication systems

Authentication Workflow:

Enter Credentials - Use your regular Corcava email and password in desktop app
Secure Verification - Desktop app securely verifies your credentials
Automatic Setup - System automatically configures secure connection
Project Loading - Desktop app immediately loads your assigned projects
Ready for Tracking - Desktop app ready for time tracking operations

Desktop App Security

Security Features:

Password Protection - Secure password verification for account access
Session Security - Automatic session management with security controls
Data Protection - Only essential user information transmitted securely
Encrypted Communication - All communication encrypted between desktop app and servers
Version Compatibility - Automatic version checking ensures app compatibility

Security Benefits: ✅ Secure Authentication - Professional-grade security for desktop app access
✅ Session Management - Automatic session handling and security controls
✅ Data Protection - Minimal data transmission with encryption
✅ Version Control - Ensures desktop app compatibility with system

Project Synchronization

Real-Time Project Data

Project Data Synchronization: The desktop app receives comprehensive project information for accurate time tracking:

Project Information Provided:

Project List - All projects user is assigned to
Project Names - Clear project identification for time tracking
Task Integration - Tasks within projects available for specific tracking
Time Totals - Current daily and weekly time totals for each project
Time Limits - Weekly time limit information (40-hour default limit)
Remaining Time - Calculated remaining time available for each project

Task-Level Integration:

Task List - Tasks from assigned projects available in desktop app
Task Time Display - Current tracked time for each task
Task Assignment - Only tasks assigned to user appear in desktop app
Task Selection - Desktop app allows selection of specific tasks for tracking
Task Context - Task information provides context for time tracking

Project Data Features

Real-Time Data Updates:

Daily Time Totals - Current day's time tracking totals per project
Weekly Time Totals - Current week's time tracking totals per project
Remaining Time Calculation - Shows remaining time available within weekly limits
Last Interval Information - Information about most recent time tracking session
Project Status - Current project status and availability

Time Limit Management:

40-Hour Weekly Limit - Default weekly time limit per project
Remaining Time Display - Clear indication of remaining available time
Limit Enforcement - System prevents exceeding time limits
Time Calculation - Automatic calculation of time usage and remaining capacity

Project Synchronization Benefits: ✅ Complete Project Context - Desktop app has full project information
✅ Real-Time Data - Current time totals and limits always up-to-date
✅ Task-Level Precision - Track time on specific tasks within projects
✅ Limit Awareness - Clear visibility into time limits and usage
✅ Professional Organization - Well-organized project and task structure

Time Tracking Operations

Available Tracking Operations

Primary Tracking Types: The desktop app supports three main tracking operations for comprehensive time management:

START Operation:

Purpose - Begin new time tracking session
Action - Click "Start" button in desktop app
Behavior - Creates new time interval, finishes any active tracking
Project Required - Must select project for time tracking
Task Optional - Can optionally select specific task within project
Notes Optional - Can include work notes and context

CONTINUE Operation:

Purpose - Resume time tracking after break or interruption
Action - Click "Continue" button in desktop app
Behavior - Resumes time tracking seamlessly after interruption
Smart Intervals - Automatically manages time intervals for accuracy
Context Preservation - Maintains project and task context across sessions

FINISH Operation:

Purpose - End current time tracking session
Action - Click "Stop" or "Finish" button in desktop app
Behavior - Completes current time tracking session
Duration Calculation - Automatically calculates total session time
Data Completion - Saves time interval for reporting and billing

Tracking Operation Details

Required Information:

Operation Type - Start, continue, or finish tracking
Project Selection - Must select project for all time tracking

Optional Information:

Task Selection - Choose specific task within project for detailed tracking
Work Notes - Add notes and descriptions for work context

Automatic Updates:

Project Data - Updated project information with new time totals
Task Data - Updated task information with tracked time
Time Totals - Current daily and weekly time totals automatically calculated
Session Information - Complete information about most recent time tracking session

Tracking Operation Benefits

✅ Simple Interface - Three clear operations for all time tracking needs
✅ Flexible Context - Track time at project or task level as needed
✅ Automatic Calculation - Duration and totals calculated automatically
✅ Real-Time Updates - Changes immediately reflected in web interface
✅ Professional Data - Accurate time data for billing and reporting

Desktop App Features & Capabilities

Core Desktop App Features

Time Tracking Interface: Based on API analysis, the desktop app provides:

Essential Features:

Project Selection - Choose from assigned projects for time tracking
Task Selection - Optionally select specific tasks within projects
Start/Stop Controls - Simple controls to begin and end time tracking
Time Display - Current session time and project totals
Status Indicators - Clear indication of tracking status (active/inactive)

Background Operation:

Minimal Impact - Runs quietly without disrupting other work
Automatic Sync - Regular synchronization with web interface
Error Handling - Robust error handling and recovery
Offline Resilience - Handles temporary network interruptions gracefully
System Integration - Professional integration with operating system

Advanced Desktop Features

Screenshot Integration:

Optional Screenshot Capture - Can capture screenshots during time tracking
Automatic Upload - Screenshots automatically uploaded to secure storage
Privacy Controls - User control over screenshot capture settings
Quality Management - Screenshot quality and frequency controls
Storage Management - Efficient screenshot storage and organization

Data Management:

Local Data Cache - Efficient local storage of project and task data
Sync Management - Intelligent synchronization with web servers
Conflict Resolution - Handles conflicts between desktop and web data
Data Integrity - Ensures accurate time data across platforms
Performance Optimization - Efficient operation without system slowdown

Desktop App Benefits

Productivity Benefits: ✅ Seamless Operation - Track time without interrupting your workflow
✅ Accurate Timing - Precise start and stop times without manual calculation
✅ Automatic Integration - Time automatically appears in project management
✅ Professional Data - High-quality time data for client billing
✅ Team Coordination - Real-time time updates visible to team members

Technical Benefits: ✅ Cross-Platform - Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
✅ Secure Communication - Encrypted communication with Corcava servers
✅ Reliable Operation - Robust error handling and recovery
✅ System Integration - Professional integration with your operating system
✅ Performance Optimized - Minimal impact on system performance

Getting Started with Desktop App

Desktop App Setup

Step 1: Download and Install

Download desktop application for your operating system
Install application following standard installation process
Launch application and locate login screen
Ensure you have stable internet connection for initial setup

Step 2: Authentication and Setup

Enter your Corcava email address and password
Click login to authenticate with Corcava servers
Wait for project synchronization to complete
Verify your assigned projects appear in application
Review project and task structure for accurate tracking

Step 3: Begin Time Tracking

Select project you want to track time on
Optionally select specific task within project
Click "Start" to begin time tracking
Work normally while application tracks time in background
Click "Stop" when finished with work session

Step 4: Verify Integration

Check web interface to see tracked time on project boards
Verify time appears on task cards if task-specific tracking used
Review time totals in project and reporting sections
Confirm time data is accurate and properly attributed

Desktop App Best Practices

✅ Consistent Usage - Use desktop app consistently for all billable work
✅ Project Accuracy - Ensure correct project selection before starting tracking
✅ Task Specificity - Use task-level tracking when possible for detailed analysis
✅ Regular Sync - Keep desktop app connected for real-time synchronization
✅ Professional Context - Add meaningful notes for client billing context

Common Desktop App Workflows

Daily Time Tracking:

Morning Setup - Launch desktop app and verify project synchronization
Work Sessions - Start tracking when beginning work, stop during breaks
Project Switching - Change projects as work focus shifts throughout day
End of Day - Ensure all time tracking stopped and data synchronized

Multi-Project Work:

Project Switching - Switch between projects as work focus changes
Task-Level Tracking - Use task selection for precise time allocation
Context Notes - Add notes to distinguish different types of work
Time Verification - Regular verification of time allocation accuracy

Troubleshooting Desktop App Issues

Common Problems

Authentication Issues:

Login Problems - Verify email and password are correct
Token Issues - Try logging out and back in to refresh authentication
Network Problems - Ensure stable internet connection for authentication
Version Issues - Verify desktop app version is compatible with server

Synchronization Issues:

Project Not Appearing - Verify you're assigned to project in web interface
Time Not Syncing - Check internet connection and try manual sync
Data Conflicts - Log out and back in to resolve data conflicts
Performance Issues - Restart desktop app if performance degrades

Tracking Issues:

Cannot Start Tracking - Verify project assignment and permissions
Time Not Recording - Check that tracking session is actually active
Incorrect Time - Verify system clock is accurate on your computer
Missing Time Data - Check web interface to verify time was recorded

Next Steps

Now that you understand desktop application integration, you're ready to explore:

Manual Time Entry - Learn manual time entry through MyWork interface
Screenshot Management - Understand screenshot capture and privacy controls
Time Reports & Analytics - Master time reporting and business intelligence
Time Tracking Permissions - Understand access control and security

Remember: The desktop application is designed to make time tracking effortless and accurate. By understanding how it integrates with your project management system, you can maintain precise time records that support professional client billing and comprehensive team analytics.