First Steps
Your first clock in with the z8 Timer desktop app
Now that you've installed and signed in, let's walk through using the app for the first time.
The Main Interface
When you click the tray icon, you'll see the main app window:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ⚙️ z8 Timer │
│ │
│ │
│ ┌───────────┐ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ ▶️ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ └───────────┘ │
│ Ready to work │
│ │
│ ○ Not Clocked In │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Settings icon | Opens settings dialog |
| Clock button | Large circular button in the center |
| Status text | Shows "Ready to work" or elapsed time |
| Status badge | Shows current clock state at bottom |
Your First Clock In
Open the app
Click the z8 Timer icon in your system tray. The main window appears.
Click the clock button
The large circular button in the center. It shows a play icon (▶️) when you're not clocked in.
You're now clocked in!
The button changes to a stop icon (⏹️), turns red, and starts showing elapsed time. The status badge updates to "Currently Working" with a green dot.
Tray Icon Change
Notice the tray icon changes from gray to green when you're clocked in. This lets you see your status at a glance.
Clocking Out
When you're done working:
Open the app
Click the tray icon (now green)
Click the clock button
The button now shows elapsed time (e.g., "02:34:15")
You're clocked out
Your time entry is saved and synced to the server
Understanding the Timer Display
While clocked in, the button shows your elapsed time:
┌───────────┐
│ │
│ 02:34:15 │
│ │
└───────────┘| Format | Meaning |
|---|---|
00:05:23 | 5 minutes, 23 seconds |
01:30:00 | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
08:00:00 | 8 hours exactly |
The timer updates in real-time every second.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
When you clock in:
- API call sent to your Z8 server
- Time entry created with current timestamp
- Tray icon updated to green
- Timer starts counting in the UI
When you clock out:
- API call closes your time entry
- Duration calculated and saved
- Tray icon updated to gray
- Entry synced to your profile
If You're Offline
Don't worry if your internet connection drops:
- Clock in/out still works - Actions are queued locally
- Look for the offline indicator - WiFi icon with slash appears
- Automatic sync - When back online, entries sync automatically
- No data loss - Everything is stored in a local database
Learn more about offline mode →
Next Steps
Now that you've clocked in and out, explore more features:
- Idle Detection - How the app detects breaks automatically
- System Tray - Quick actions from the tray menu
- Settings - Customize the app behavior
- Offline Mode - Work without internet
Tips for Daily Use
- Keep the app running - It stays in the system tray with minimal resources
- Use auto-start - Enable in settings so you never forget to launch it
- Trust the idle detection - It will catch breaks you forget to log
- Check the tray icon - Green = working, gray = not clocked in