Overview:
ActivityWatch is an open-source, privacy-focused time tracker designed to automatically record computer activity data. It tracks which applications and browser tabs are active, along with keyboard and mouse input, to detect periods of inactivity (AFK). The project aims to collect detailed lifedata while ensuring users retain full control over their data, which is stored locally by default. It targets users who want a transparent, self-hosted alternative to commercial time tracking tools that often lack data ownership or privacy guarantees.
Core Features:
Automatic activity tracking: Records the currently active application, window title, and browser tab URL in real-time.
AFK detection: Monitors keyboard and mouse activity to determine if the user is away from the computer.
Local data storage: All collected data is stored on the user's own machine, never uploaded to external servers.
REST API: Provides programmatic access to a time-series datastore for reading and writing events, with support for custom queries.
Watcher system: Extensible framework with pre-installed watchers (aw-watcher-afk, aw-watcher-window) and community-developed watchers for browsers, editors, and more.
Web-based interface: Offers dashboards, timeline views, a query explorer, activity browser, and data export in JSON format via the built-in frontend.
Use Cases:
Self-hosters who want to track their digital habits without relying on cloud services that collect personal data.
Developers looking to analyze time spent on specific applications or coding tasks, using the REST API to build custom reports or integrations.
Users seeking a granular, automated alternative to manual time tracking for personal productivity analysis or digital wellbeing.
Why It Matters:
ActivityWatch addresses common shortcomings in existing time trackers by combining open-source code with local data ownership and a decentralized synchronization model (currently in development). Its modular architecture supports extensibility through watchers and a REST API, letting users collect exactly the type of data they need without vendor lock-in. The project also provides a graphical user interface and detailed raw data storage, distinguishing it from simpler open-source alternatives that lack structured data export or browser-level tracking.
