How to Start a Time Entry with the ClickUp API

The ClickUp Developer API lets you start time tracking directly from your own apps, scripts, or integrations. This guide explains how to call the Start a Time Entry endpoint, what data it expects, and how to avoid common implementation issues.

Understanding the ClickUp Time Entry Endpoint

The Start a Time Entry operation is a POST request that creates a running time entry for a task. It allows your integration to begin tracking time without using the ClickUp user interface.

The official reference for this endpoint is available at ClickUp Start a Time Entry API.

Key Properties of the Time Entry

When you start a time entry through the API, ClickUp expects a JSON body that can include:

• description: Optional text describing the work.
• tags: Optional array of strings to label the time entry.
• billable: Boolean flag indicating if the time is billable.
• start: Optional Unix time in milliseconds for when tracking begins.
• duration: Optional duration in milliseconds, usually omitted for a running entry.
• assignee: Optional user ID to associate with the entry.
• tid: Task ID if the time belongs to a specific task.

Some fields may be required in your workspace depending on configuration, so always test with your own ClickUp environment.

Prerequisites for Using the ClickUp API

Before you can start a time entry, you must prepare a few prerequisites in ClickUp and in your integration environment.

1. Get a ClickUp API Token

Every request to the time tracking endpoint must be authenticated. You need a ClickUp API token generated from your user or app configuration.

• Store the token securely, for example in environment variables.
• Never expose the token in client-side code or public repositories.

The token will be passed in the Authorization header for every API call.

2. Identify the Workspace or User Context

The time entry you start will be associated with a specific workspace and user in ClickUp. Make sure your token has the correct permissions to track time for that user or workspace.

3. Locate the Task ID in ClickUp

If you want the time entry to be attached to a task, you must know the task ID. You can obtain it from:

• The task URL in the ClickUp interface.
• A prior API call to list tasks.

This ID is used as the value of the tid field in the request body.

How to Call the ClickUp Start Time Entry Endpoint

Use the following steps to send a valid request to the ClickUp time entry endpoint.

1. Set the HTTP Method and URL

Use the POST method and the URL specified in the official documentation. The exact URL may include your workspace or user context as defined by the ClickUp API spec.

Example structure:

• POST https://api.clickup.com/api/v2/team/{team_id}/time_entries (or the current equivalent documented in the reference).

2. Add Required Headers for ClickUp

Your request must include at least these headers:

• Authorization: <your_clickup_api_token>
• Content-Type: application/json

Without a valid authorization header, the ClickUp API will reject the request with an error status code.

3. Build the JSON Request Body

Construct a JSON payload that includes the properties your integration needs. A minimal example to start a running time entry might look like this (pseudocode):

{
  "description": "Implementation work",
  "billable": true,
  "tid": "task_id_here"
}

Additional optional fields can refine the behavior:

• Set start if you want the entry to begin in the past.
• Add tags to label your time entries for reporting.
• Include assignee if you need to attribute time to a specific user.

4. Send the Request and Inspect the Response

Send the request using your preferred HTTP client or library. The ClickUp API will return a JSON response describing the time entry.

In the response, look for:

• The unique time entry ID.
• The recorded start time and any duration details.
• Confirmation that the correct task and assignee were applied.

Store the returned identifier if you plan to stop, edit, or delete the time entry later.

Practical ClickUp Integration Tips

Good implementation practices will keep your ClickUp integrations stable and easy to maintain.

Validate Fields Before Sending

Validate user input and internal data before calling the ClickUp API:

• Ensure timestamps are in milliseconds.
• Check that the tid field matches a real task in ClickUp.
• Confirm that required values are not null or empty.

Handle ClickUp API Errors Gracefully

The API may return validation errors or permission issues. Build robust error handling:

• Log the status code and error message.
• Show clear feedback to users when a time entry cannot be started.
• Retry only when it makes sense, such as for transient network problems.

Secure Your ClickUp Token

Because your ClickUp token grants access to time entries and other workspace data, treat it as confidential:

• Keep it in a secure secrets manager or server-side environment variable.
• Rotate the token periodically.
• Revoke the token immediately if you suspect exposure.

Testing Your ClickUp Time Entry Integration

After you implement the API call, test it thoroughly within your ClickUp environment.

Manual Tests in a Safe Workspace

Run manual tests against a non-production or test workspace:

• Start several time entries for different tasks.
• Verify that billable and non-billable flags appear correctly in ClickUp reports.
• Confirm that tags and descriptions match the sent payload.

Automated Regression Tests for ClickUp API Calls

Create automated tests that call the ClickUp endpoint with known payloads and validate the responses. This helps you detect breaking changes or regressions early.

When to Use the ClickUp Start Time Entry Endpoint

The start time entry operation is useful whenever you need programmatic control of time tracking in ClickUp.

• Starting time when a user begins work in a custom app.
• Automatically logging time when a ticket moves to an “In Progress” status.
• Integrating with external systems that already track status changes.

By aligning your internal workflow with the ClickUp API, you maintain a single source of truth for time tracking and reporting.

Further Resources

For strategic guidance on integrating project tools and optimizing automation around time tracking, you can explore expert resources at Consultevo.

To review every field, response schema, and up-to-date examples, always consult the official ClickUp Start a Time Entry reference as the definitive source.

With these steps and best practices, you can reliably start time entries through the ClickUp API and integrate accurate time tracking into your own systems.