# Getting Started (/en/docs/getting-started)



Getting Clepsydre up and running takes two steps: **install the app**, then **follow the setup wizard** shown on the very first launch. A few minutes is enough to be ready to track your time.

## 1. Install the app [#1-install-the-app]

Download and install the desktop app for your system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

The full procedure, package by package, is described on the dedicated page:

<Cards>
  <Card title="Download & Installation" href="/en/docs/download" icon="Download" />
</Cards>

## 2. Complete the onboarding [#2-complete-the-onboarding]

On the **first launch*&#x2A;, Clepsydre shows the &#x2A;*"Welcome to Clepsydre"** wizard, in 3 steps. You can't skip it until the Redmine connection is valid.

### Step 1 — Basic configuration [#step-1--basic-configuration]

Fill in the Redmine connection and your main preferences:

* **Redmine URL*&#x2A; &#x2A;(required)* — your instance address, for example `https://redmine.example.com`.
* **API key*&#x2A; &#x2A;(required)* — your Redmine authentication key. You'll find it in Redmine, under **My account > API access key**. It is stored securely in your system keychain (never in plain text).
* **Language** — French or English (prefilled from your system).
* **Theme** — system, dark, or light.
* **Launch at startup** — open Clepsydre automatically when you log in.
* **Minimize to tray** — minimize the app to the notification area instead of closing it.

<Callout type="info">
  When you validate this step, Clepsydre **tests the connection** to Redmine and syncs your activities. If the URL or key is incorrect, an error message appears and you stay on step 1.
</Callout>

### Step 2 — Tracking preferences [#step-2--tracking-preferences]

These defaults speed up time logging. They are all optional and can be changed later.

* **Default activity** — the Redmine activity preselected on each time entry (the list comes from the activities synced in step 1).
* **Default comment** — text prefilled in the comment field of a new entry.
* **Daily work target** — your daily goal in hours (1 to 24, in 0.5h steps), used by the calendar and statistics.

### Step 3 — Browser extensions &#x2A;(optional)* [#step-3--browser-extensions-optional]

The companion extensions let you start a timer directly from a Redmine issue page. No configuration is required.

<Cards>
  <Card title="Chrome extension" href="https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/clepsydre-companion-%E2%80%94-red/ilojdkpijdgehbjjhlbljekgeoomijhp" icon="Puzzle" />

  <Card title="Firefox extension" href="https://addons.mozilla.org/fr/firefox/addon/clepsydre-companion/" icon="Puzzle" />
</Cards>

Click **Finish** to save your configuration and enter the app.

## 3. What's next? [#3-whats-next]

* For the details of **all settings** (including those not in the onboarding), see the [Configuration](/en/docs/configuration) page.
* To start your first tracking session, see [Using the timer](/en/docs/usage/timer-actions).

<Callout type="info">
  All onboarding settings can be changed at any time from the app's **Settings** page.
</Callout>