# Using the timer (/en/docs/usage/timer-actions)







The timer is the central area of the **Timer** screen. Once you select a ticket, you control time tracking with a few simple actions.

<img alt="Timer actions" src="__img0" />

## Select a ticket [#select-a-ticket]

Before starting, select the ticket you are working on:

1. Use the search bar (&#x2A;Search tickets by ID, project, or title…*).
2. Click a result to make it the **active ticket**.

While no ticket is selected, the app shows &#x2A;*"Select a ticket to start tracking time"**.

<Callout type="info">
  If **Start timer on ticket selection** is enabled in settings, the timer starts (or resumes) automatically as soon as you select a ticket.
</Callout>

## Timer actions [#timer-actions]

| Action     | Description                                                    |
| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Start**  | Starts tracking from now. Available when the timer is stopped. |
| **Pause**  | Pauses the count without losing the elapsed time.              |
| **Resume** | Resumes counting after a pause.                                |
| **Stop**   | Stops the timer and triggers **time logging** (see below).     |
| **Reset**  | Discards the current session **without saving** any time.      |

### Adjust the start time [#adjust-the-start-time]

While the timer is running, a time field lets you **adjust the start time** if you began tracking a bit late. Only past times are accepted (you cannot start in the future).

### Reset [#reset]

The trash button opens a &#x2A;*"Reset this timer?"** confirmation with **Confirm** / **Cancel**. Resetting removes the elapsed time without logging anything to Redmine.

## Stop and log [#stop-and-log]

The **Stop** button does more than stop the count: it starts the logging flow.

* If **Express Mode** is enabled, time is logged automatically to Redmine, with no confirmation.
* Otherwise, a &#x2A;*"Log Time Entry"** dialog opens so you can review and confirm the entry.

This flow is detailed in [Logging time on a ticket](/en/docs/usage/timer-log-ticket).

<Callout type="warn">
  Stopping the timer with **0 minutes elapsed** (or without a ticket) simply stops tracking: no dialog opens and no time is saved.
</Callout>

## Idle detection [#idle-detection]

If **idle detection*&#x2A; is enabled and you stay idle beyond the configured threshold while the timer runs, Clepsydre shows an &#x2A;*"Inactivity detected"** dialog when you return, with three choices:

* **Continue without changes** — keeps all elapsed time.
* **Subtract idle time and stop** — removes the idle duration, then stops the timer.
* **Subtract and continue** — removes the idle duration and keeps tracking.

<div align="center">
  <img alt="Idle detection dialog" src="__img1" />
</div>

## Sidebar mini widget [#sidebar-mini-widget]

When the timer is running and you browse another screen (Statistics, History…), a mini widget appears in the sidebar with **Pause / Resume** and **Stop** buttons.

<Callout type="warn">
  The mini widget's **Stop** button stops the timer **without opening the logging dialog**. To log your time, use the Stop button on the Timer screen.
</Callout>

## Persistence [#persistence]

A running (or paused) timer is preserved even if you close and reopen the app: it will be restored on next launch.