Automatic Time Tracking for
Software Development Agencies
Zero manual timers. Backlsh provides automatic time tracking using application, website and active-window context to help allocate engineering time to the right client or internal project. Keep developers focused while making billable work easier to review.
Traditional Tracking Software
Destroys Developer Velocity
The Context-Switching Tax
Developers hate breaking their coding flow to toggle a stopwatch. When they forget, billable hours spent on custom API fixes or server deployments vanish from client invoices.
The "Bossware" Cultural Backlash
Traditional tools micro-manage engineering teams with creepy keystroke counting and mouse-wiggle algorithms. This insults senior talent and causes high developer churn.
Resource Inflation at Scale
Paying $7–$12/seat for legacy trackers across a scaling team of 50+ engineers eats directly into project profitability margins.
Every Sprint Accounted For.
Zero Timer Clicks.
Backlsh runs in the background and captures work context from active applications, websites and window titles. With automatic project time-tracking rules in place, engineering activity can be organized into client and internal projects without asking developers to operate manual timers.
Developer Workflow Context
Backlsh records active application and window context from development tools such as IDEs, browsers and collaboration apps. Project rules help turn that context into structured, reviewable time records.
Project-Based Time Mapping
Create mapping rules using the applications, websites and window titles associated with each project. This helps separate client delivery, code review, testing, meetings and internal work in the resulting timesheets.
Privacy-First Analytics
Backlsh does not record keystrokes or mouse movements. Its user-activity monitoring uses active application, website and window context to provide useful project visibility without relying on invasive input monitoring.
A Simple Rollout for Development Teams
No manual timers and no unnecessary interruption to established engineering workflows.
Install the Desktop App
Install the lightweight Windows/Mac desktop application on each team member's computer. Managers can review the collected information through the web dashboard.
Map Apps to Clients
Define which applications, websites and recognizable window-title patterns belong to each client or internal project.
Work Normally
Developers continue working across their IDE, browser, code-review tools, documentation and team communication apps while Backlsh captures activity context in the background.
Invoice with Confidence
Review project timesheets, correct any ambiguous activity and use approved records to support client billing, payroll or project-profitability analysis.
Visibility Across Every Project,
Without Manual Timers
AI Productivity Profiling
Categorize applications and websites as Productive, Unproductive or Neutral, then use productivity insights to review those classifications in the context of different engineering roles and projects.
AI-PoweredOptional Screenshot Verification
For client contracts requiring proof-of-work, enable transparent screenshot monitoring. Add visual context without relying on constant surveillance.
OptionalReal-Time Activity Feed
See what every team member is working on right now — which client, which tool, how long. Live visibility without constant check-ins.
Live ViewTimesheets for Billing & Payroll
Use reviewed time records to support payroll calculations, client invoices and project-profitability reporting without chasing developers for manual timesheets. Teams evaluating cost can review Backlsh pricing.
AutomatedProject Context Mapping
Use application, website and window-title rules to organize activity from development and project-management workflows into the appropriate project records.
Rule-BasedWorks Offline, Always
Team working from a coffee shop with spotty WiFi? Tracking continues locally. Everything syncs securely when back online.
Always-OnPlan, Track and Improve
Engineering Project Time
Continue with practical guides and product pages for automatic tracking, project allocation and profitable client delivery.
Automatic Project Time Tracking Guide
Learn how automatic project attribution works, where manual timers fail and how to structure reviewable project timesheets.
Read the guide →Time Tracking in Project Management
Connect engineering effort with delivery estimates, client budgets and project-profitability decisions.
Explore project tracking →Track Productivity Without Being Creepy
Introduce transparent work tracking while protecting trust, privacy and employee adoption.
Read the privacy guide →Backlsh vs Hubstaff
Compare automation, monitoring, project workflows and pricing before selecting a platform for your development team.
Compare the platforms →Time Tracking for Marketing Agencies
Manage a mixed-service agency? See workflows designed for creative, campaign and marketing-client work.
View the marketing-agency solution →Explore Every Industry Solution
Review Backlsh workflows for development agencies, marketing teams, BPO operations and other service businesses.
Explore industry solutions →Real Results from Real Agencies
"We were losing almost 2 hours per engineer per day to timer amnesia. Since switching to Backlsh, our average monthly client invoice went up by 18%. The tool paid for itself in week one."
"My developers were resistant to any tracking tool. Backlsh changed that because they literally don't have to do anything. Now they actually love having proof of how much work they put into each sprint."
"The IDE & Repo breakdown is a game-changer for our retainer clients. We can finally show them exactly where every hour went. No more awkward 'trust us' conversations at billing time."
"Setup took less than 10 minutes for our 50-person engineering team. Within the first week we identified three API projects that were severely under-billed. We restructured the contracts immediately."
Backlsh vs. Legacy Trackers
Stop paying enterprise tax for features your developers actively hate.
Everything You Need to Know
Stop Imposing Bossware on Engineers
Give your software agency automatic time visibility without asking developers to start and stop timers. Capture work context, review project timesheets and support more confident client billing with a privacy-conscious workflow.