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Track Time with ClickUp API

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How to Track Time with the ClickUp API

The ClickUp API lets you track time on tasks programmatically so you can integrate detailed time tracking into your own tools, reports, and automations.

This step-by-step guide explains how to use the /task/{task_id}/time endpoint to start, stop, and manage time entries in a safe and consistent way.

Understanding ClickUp time tracking via API

The time tracking endpoint is designed to help you record how long someone works on a task. Each time entry is stored as a time interval with optional metadata like custom task IDs or user identifiers.

All requests are authenticated with your API token and are made over HTTPS. You must have access to the workspace and task you are logging time on.

Key ClickUp time tracking concepts

  • Task ID: The unique identifier of the task where time is recorded.
  • Interval: A block of time with a start and end timestamp.
  • In-progress timer: A running timer that has a start time but no end time yet.
  • Manual time entry: A complete interval submitted with both start and end times.

Requirements before calling the ClickUp time API

Before you start tracking time, confirm the following prerequisites:

  • You have a valid ClickUp API token.
  • You know the task ID where you want to log time.
  • You can make HTTP requests (for example, using curl, Postman, or your own application code).

For full reference details, always review the official time tracking endpoint documentation at ClickUp API Track Time.

How to start a time entry with the ClickUp API

To create a new time entry on a task, you send a POST request to the time tracking endpoint. You can either create a manual interval or start a running timer.

Step 1: Define the ClickUp task and endpoint

  1. Identify the task where you want to track time.
  2. Capture its task_id.
  3. Build the endpoint URL in the form:
    https://api.clickup.com/api/v2/task/{task_id}/time

Step 2: Set request headers

In your HTTP request, include at least these headers:

  • Authorization: Your ClickUp API token.
  • Content-Type: application/json.

Step 3: Create a manual time entry

A manual time entry defines both start and end timestamps. This is helpful when you need to record time that already occurred.

  1. Set start to a Unix timestamp in milliseconds.
  2. Set end to a Unix timestamp in milliseconds that is greater than start.
  3. Include optional properties such as description or user if supported by your current API version.

The ClickUp API validates the interval and creates a time entry attached to the task when the request is successful.

Step 4: Start a running timer on a ClickUp task

Instead of submitting a full interval, you can create a running timer by providing a start time without an end time.

  1. Provide the start timestamp in the request body.
  2. Omit the end field or set it according to the documented rules for an in-progress timer.
  3. Send the POST request to the time endpoint.

The time tracking system then treats this entry as in progress until you stop it by supplying an end time.

How to stop or update a time entry

To stop a running timer or adjust an existing entry, you update the time interval through the same endpoint or a related update endpoint as defined in the official documentation.

Step 5: Retrieve existing ClickUp time entries

Before you update, you may need to fetch existing entries for the task.

  1. Use the documented method for listing time entries on a task.
  2. Identify the specific time entry you want to update, usually by an ID value returned from the creation request.

Step 6: Stop a running timer

To stop a running timer:

  1. Capture the current timestamp in milliseconds as end.
  2. Send an update request that includes both start and end values, along with the time entry identifier if needed.
  3. Confirm that the API response shows a completed interval rather than an in-progress timer.

This closes the interval and records the total duration on the task.

Best practices for ClickUp time tracking integrations

When working with automated or large-scale integrations, follow these practices to keep your data accurate and stable.

Validate timestamps before calling the ClickUp API

  • Always ensure end is greater than start.
  • Use a single time source in your application to avoid mismatched intervals.
  • Convert all times to Unix milliseconds consistently before sending requests.

Handle rate limits and errors gracefully

  • Check HTTP status codes on every response.
  • Log responses for debugging whenever an error occurs.
  • Implement retries with backoff if your integration sends many time tracking requests.

Keep ClickUp time entries in sync

  • Avoid starting multiple overlapping timers on the same task for the same logical user if your workflow does not support it.
  • Regularly query time entries to confirm your internal records match the workspace data.
  • Use descriptive metadata where available so you can audit entries later.

Example workflow using the ClickUp time endpoint

Below is a simple high-level workflow you can adapt for your own integration:

  1. User starts work in your app.
  2. Your system sends a POST request to start a timer on the relevant task.
  3. The user stops work.
  4. Your system sends an update to set the end time.
  5. You periodically read all time entries and generate internal reports or dashboards.

This pattern keeps your application and the workspace aligned while leveraging the native time tracking capabilities of the platform.

Where to get more help with ClickUp time tracking

If you need implementation support or want to design an advanced time tracking integration, you can work with a specialist team. The consultants at Consultevo can help you plan and optimize your use of the API for reporting, automation, and analytics.

For the most accurate details on parameters, request bodies, and responses, always rely on the official time tracking API reference at https://developer.clickup.com/reference/tracktime.

By following the steps above, you can reliably track, update, and manage time entries through the ClickUp API and integrate precise time data into your own systems.

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