Simple Coding Time Tracker is a powerful VS Code extension that automatically tracks your coding time across projects, Git branches, and programming languages. It provides detailed insights into your coding habits with beautiful visualizations and comprehensive statistics.
Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X on macOS)The extension will automatically start tracking when you begin coding. Check the status bar at the bottom of VS Code to see your today's coding time.
Once installed, the extension works automatically:
SCTT: Show Coding Time SummaryAccess settings via VS Code Settings (Ctrl+,) or use the dedicated Settings View by clicking "Settings" in the summary view.
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
inactivityTimeout |
Minutes of inactivity before pausing tracking | 2.5 minutes |
focusTimeout |
Continue tracking after VS Code loses focus (minutes) | 3 minutes |
health.enableNotifications |
Enable/disable health notifications | false |
health.modalNotifications |
Make health notifications modal (blocks UI) | true |
health.eyeRestInterval |
Eye rest reminder frequency (minutes) | 20 minutes |
health.stretchInterval |
Stretch reminder frequency (minutes) | 30 minutes |
health.breakThreshold |
Break suggestion after continuous coding (minutes) | 90 minutes |
The extension tracks time based on:
Automatically monitors your current Git branch and associates coding time with it. When you switch branches, the extension:
Supports 50+ programming languages including:
Displays time distribution across different projects with interactive tooltips showing exact durations.
Line chart showing your coding patterns over time, helping identify your most productive hours.
3-month calendar view showing coding intensity, similar to GitHub contribution graphs.
Pie chart showing time spent in different programming languages.
Filter your data by:
The health notification system promotes healthy coding habits based on scientific research:
Default: Every 20 minutes
Reminds you to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This scientifically-proven technique helps prevent eye strain and digital eye fatigue.
Prolonged screen time can cause Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). The 20-20-20 rule gives your eye muscles a chance to relax and reduces strain.
Default: Every 30 minutes
Prompts you to stand up and stretch your back and neck. Regular stretching prevents muscle tension and improves posture.
Default: Every 90 minutes
Based on the body's natural 90-minute ultradian rhythm cycles. Taking breaks at these intervals maximizes focus and prevents burnout.
Each health notification offers two options:
By default, health notifications are modal (they block the UI until dismissed). This ensures you actually take a break. You can disable this in settings if you prefer non-blocking notifications.
Access commands via Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS):
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
SCTT: Show Coding Time Summary |
Opens the main summary view with charts and statistics |
SCTT: Open Settings |
Opens the dedicated settings view |
SCTT: Toggle Health Notifications |
Quickly enable/disable health notifications |
SCTT: View Time Tracking Data |
Exports raw tracking data as JSON |
SCTT: Clear All Time Tracking Data |
Deletes all tracking data (with confirmation) |
SCTT: Generate Test Data (Dev) |
Creates test data for 90 days (development only) |
SCTT: Delete Test Data (Dev) |
Removes all test data (development only) |
Test data commands are hidden by default. Enable enableDevCommands in settings to access them. These are intended for testing and development purposes only.
All tracking data is stored locally in VS Code's storage. Your data never leaves your machine.
Use SCTT: View Time Tracking Data to export your data as JSON format. This includes:
To delete all tracking data:
SCTT: Clear All Time Tracking DataClearing data is permanent and cannot be undone. Export your data first if you want to keep a backup.
Solution:
Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)Solution:
Solution:
git branch)Solution:
health.enableNotifications is set to trueSolution:
No. All data is stored locally in VS Code's storage. Nothing is sent to external servers. Your privacy is fully protected.
No. The extension is designed to be lightweight and runs efficiently in the background without impacting performance.
Yes! The extension provides accurate time tracking that you can export and use for billing purposes. However, always review the tracked time before billing.
The smart activity detection will automatically pause tracking after the configured inactivity timeout (default: 2.5 minutes).
Currently, data is stored locally per machine. To sync across machines, you would need to export and manually combine the data.
Very accurate! The extension tracks actual keyboard and mouse activity. It automatically excludes periods when you're away from your desk or not actively coding.
The charts automatically adapt to your VS Code theme (light/dark). Currently, chart types are fixed, but we're considering adding customization options in future versions.
Data is stored in VS Code's storage, which persists across sessions. However, it's not automatically backed up. Use the export feature to create manual backups.
Check out these additional resources: