How Does Idle Time Work in Flowace?
What is Idle Time?
Idle time refers to periods when your computer shows no keyboard or mouse activity for a configured duration. You can set custom intervals (5, 10, 15+ minutes) to match your work patterns.
How it works:
- You stop computer activity
- System waits for your configured interval
- Once triggered, the entire inactive period is marked as idle
- Idle time appears across the dashboards and reports
Important Notes:
- Idle time marks the entire period from when you stop activity until you resume
- You can set custom intervals (5, 10, 15+ minutes)
- The Exclude Idle feature allows you to bypass idle detection for specific apps/websites where you're productively engaged without keyboard/mouse activity.
- The Idle Alert feature is only available on the interactive desktop app, not on the silent app
- Different job roles require different idle detection intervals for accurate tracking
Step-by-Step Configuration
Setting Your Idle Detection Interval
• Go to Admin Settings → Permissions → Desktop App → Idle Time
• Configure the interval based on the roles. Example below.
- 5 minutes: Data entry, customer support chat
- 10 minutes: General office work (most common)
- 15-20 minutes: Management, creative roles, sales
• Save your settings
Configuring the Exclude Idle Feature
• Go to Admin Settings → Productivity Ratings → Apps & Websites → Exclude Idle
• Enable exclusions for specific apps/websites where you're productively engaged. Examples below.
- Video conferencing (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
- Learning platforms and training sites
- Design software during review sessions
- Reading applications and documentation
• Test the settings during typical work activities
Setting Up Idle Alerts (Interactive App Only)
• Go to Admin Settings → Permissions → Desktop App → Idle Alert
• Enable idle alert notifications
• Test the alert that displays a op-up or system notification 30-60 seconds before idle detection
Real-World Examples of Idle Time
Example 1: Lunch Break (10-minute setting)
- Stop work and leave at 1:00 PM → Idle detected at 1:10 PM → Return at 2:00 PM..
- Result: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (60 minutes) marked as idle
Example 2: Meeting Preparation (15-minute setting)
- Stop typing at 2:00 PM → Read documents → Idle at 2:15 PM → Resume at 2:45 PM
- Result: 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM (45 minutes) marked as idle
Example 3: Video Call with Idle Exclusion
- Join Zoom at 3:00 PM → Listen to presentation (no typing) → Leave at 4:00 PM.
- Result: Full hour remains active (Zoom excluded from idle detection)
Idle Time (Problem & Solutions):
Problem: Too much idle time recorded
Solution:
• Increase your idle detection interval
• Add legitimate passive work apps to standardise the list
• Enable idle alerts to prevent accidental idle periods
Problem: Unrealistic active time (very low idle)
Solution:
• Decrease idle detection interval
• Review excluded applications for overuse
• Check for other activties via screenshots or raw activities
Problem: Team metrics inconsistency
Solution:
• idle setting across similar job roles
• Provide team training on proper usage
• Conduct regular setting reviews
Idle Time (Quick Setup Checklist)
✅ Assess your work patterns
✅ Choose an appropriate interval based on your job role
✅ Configure app exclusions for legitimate passive work
✅ Enable idle alerts (interactive app only)
✅ Test settings for a few days
✅ Adjust as needed based on results
Where can you see the idle time?
Idle time appears in:
• Dashboard widgets: Multiple widgets displaying Active vs. idle time
• Attendance Reports: Breakdown by in-time, out-time, active hours, idle hours, productive hours, unproductive hours, hours on projects & tasks, and many more
Remember: Idle time isn't necessarily unproductive. Phone calls, meetings, and thinking time often appear as idle but are valuable work activities.
Still stuck? Contact support@flowace.ai for your idle time configuration.
Updated on: 26/09/2025
Thank you!