How to Get the Running Time Entry with ClickUp

The ClickUp API lets you retrieve the currently running time entry for an authorized user so you can sync timers, build reports, or power custom dashboards in your own tools and integrations.

This how-to guide walks you step by step through calling the Get Running Time Entry endpoint, understanding the response, and handling common issues based strictly on the official reference documentation.

Understanding the ClickUp running time entry endpoint

The running time entry endpoint returns details about the time entry that is actively tracking for the authenticated user, if any. If no timer is active, the endpoint responds with an empty payload so your app can react accordingly.

This endpoint is read-only and is ideal when you need to:

Display the current timer in a custom interface.
Check whether a user is actively tracking work.
Fetch live duration and related task information.

For full parameter and field reference, always consult the official ClickUp API documentation.

Prerequisites for using the ClickUp API

Before you call the running time entry endpoint, make sure you have the required ClickUp API credentials and setup.

Required ClickUp access token

You must authenticate with a valid personal token or OAuth access token. The token determines which user account the endpoint operates on and which workspaces and tasks are visible.

Keep the token secure and never embed it directly in public client-side code.
Store it in environment variables or a secure secrets manager on the server side.

Base URL and API version

The endpoint uses the ClickUp public API base URL. All requests must be sent over HTTPS.

Base URL: typically https://api.clickup.com/api/v2 (see the official docs for any updated versions).
The running time entry path is appended to this base URL.

Step-by-step: Call the ClickUp running time entry endpoint

The following steps outline the general process to call the endpoint and retrieve the current running time entry.

1. Build the ClickUp request URL

Construct the full URL using the API base URL from the ClickUp docs and the path for the running time entry resource. No path parameters are required for this endpoint.

Your final URL will look similar to:

https://api.clickup.com/api/v2/time_entries/running (verify against the official docs).

2. Set required ClickUp headers

The endpoint expects specific headers to authenticate and format the request correctly.

Authorization: your ClickUp personal or OAuth token.
Content-Type: application/json (even though this is a GET request, it is good practice to specify).
Any additional headers documented in the official reference.

The Authorization header must follow the exact format shown in the ClickUp documentation. If the token is missing or malformed, the request will fail.

3. Send the GET request to ClickUp

Use your preferred HTTP client (cURL, Postman, or a code library) to send the request.

Open your REST client.
Set the method to GET.
Paste the running time entry URL.
Add the authorization header with your ClickUp token.
Send the request and inspect the response.

If the user has an active timer, the response body will contain a JSON object describing the running time entry.

Understanding the ClickUp response body

The response from the running time entry endpoint is a JSON structure containing metadata about the current timer and the task or activity it is associated with.

Key fields in the ClickUp time entry

While the exact field names come from the official schema, a typical response includes:

id: unique identifier of the time entry.
start: timestamp marking when the timer started.
duration: elapsed time in milliseconds or seconds since the timer began.
billable: whether the tracked time is billable.
task: information about the related ClickUp task, such as task ID and name.
user: data describing the user whose timer is running.

Parse these fields in your application to display the active timer, calculate billable totals, or sync worklogs with other systems.

Handling the case with no running timer in ClickUp

If the authenticated user does not have an active timer, the endpoint may return an empty object or a structure that clearly indicates there is no running entry, depending on the documented behavior.

In your integration, you should:

Check whether the expected time entry fields are present.
Gracefully handle the “no active timer” scenario by hiding the timer display or prompting the user to start tracking time in ClickUp.

Common errors when calling the ClickUp endpoint

When you work with the running time entry endpoint, certain errors are common and can be anticipated in your code.

Authentication and authorization issues in ClickUp

Typical authentication-related responses include:

401 Unauthorized: missing or invalid token in the Authorization header.
403 Forbidden: token does not have permission to access the workspace or time entries.

To resolve these issues, regenerate the token, verify scopes if using OAuth, and confirm that the target workspace is accessible for the authenticated user.

Rate limiting and performance considerations for ClickUp

The API may enforce rate limits to protect ClickUp infrastructure.

If you receive responses that indicate throttling, back off and retry after the number of seconds specified in the headers or body.
Cache non-sensitive data when appropriate to avoid unnecessary calls.

When building dashboards that poll the running time entry, use reasonable intervals to respect ClickUp rate limits while keeping the interface responsive.

Best practices for integrating the ClickUp running time entry

To build a reliable and maintainable integration around the running time entry endpoint, follow these recommended patterns.

Secure handling of ClickUp tokens

Never log your tokens or expose them in client-side code. Use:

Server-side proxies to call the ClickUp API.
Configuration management tools to inject secrets at runtime.
Access control to limit who can view configuration files.

Data mapping and storage from ClickUp

If you store the running time entry data in your own database, consider:

Saving the entry ID, task ID, and timestamps.
Recording when you last synced with ClickUp.
Adding reconciliation jobs to correct drift with the source of truth.

Always treat ClickUp as the authoritative system for time entries and use synchronization routines to keep your local data aligned.

Extending your ClickUp implementation

Once you have mastered the running time entry endpoint, you can extend your workflow automation and reporting by combining other endpoints from the same ClickUp API family.

Fetch all time entries for a date range to build detailed timesheets.
Update or stop timers programmatically, where supported.
Connect timers with billing or payroll systems.

For more advanced automation strategies and integration consulting, you can explore resources from specialists such as Consultevo, who focus on productivity platforms and API-driven workflows.

Next steps with the ClickUp API

To move forward:

Review the official ClickUp running time entry reference for the most accurate path, headers, and schema.
Test the endpoint in a REST client using your own token.
Integrate the request into your application code and handle both active and inactive timer states.
Monitor error rates and adjust your polling strategy to stay within ClickUp API limits.

By following these steps and aligning closely with the official documentation, you can reliably access the current running time entry and embed it into your own tools that work seamlessly with ClickUp.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

Get Help

“`