Go to timely.com and click Get started free in the top right. You can sign up with email or Google.
During setup, Timely asks what you do and how you bill. Pick what fits (it's used to customize your experience, not locked in forever).
Install the desktop app when prompted. This is where the magic happens - Timely tracks work activity in the background so you don't have to remember to start and stop timers.
Check Memory (left sidebar) to see everything you worked on today. Timely logs every app, document, and website you touch. Don't worry, this is private to you until you share it.
Drag activities from Memory into your timesheet on the right. Add a project tag and you're done - that's your billable time logged.
Pro Tips
Set up Projects first. Go to Projects in the sidebar and add your clients or internal work categories. Color-code them. When you drag time from Memory, you'll tag it with a project and Timely starts learning your patterns.
Let AI build your timesheets. After a week of manual tagging, Timely's AI starts suggesting what project each activity belongs to. Click Auto-tag and it fills in your timesheet based on past patterns. You just review and submit.
Block distractions from tracking. In Settings > Privacy, you can exclude specific apps or websites from Memory (like personal banking or social media). Timely won't log those at all.
Use Reports to see where time actually goes. The Reports tab breaks down your week by project, client, or task. If you're constantly underwater, this shows you what's eating your hours.
What It's NOT Good For
Teams that need real-time surveillance. Timely is privacy-first by design. Managers can't see your Memory until you choose to share tracked time. If you want to monitor employees' screens in real time, Timely won't do that (and will tell you to look elsewhere).
Tracking time on your phone. The mobile app exists, but Timely's automatic tracking only works on desktop. If most of your work happens on mobile, you'll be back to manual timers.