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# 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 pop-up or system notification 30-60 seconds before idle detection


---
### Real-World Examples of Idle Time 
## 


**Scenario 1: Activity Below Idle Threshold**
• Inactive time: 9 minutes | Idle setting: 10 minutes
• Result: All 9 minutes remain ACTIVE
• Why: Threshold not reached, so idle detection never triggers



**Scenario 2: Activity Exceeds Idle Threshold**
• Inactive time: 11 minutes | Idle setting: 10 minutes  
• Result: All 11 minutes marked as IDLE (entire period, not just the extra minute)
• Why: Once the 10-minute threshold is reached, the system retroactively marks the entire inactive period as idle



**Scenario 3: Lunch Break**
• Stop work at 1:00 PM → Return at 2:00 PM | Idle setting: 10 minutes
• Result: 60 minutes marked as IDLE
• Why: No activity for a full hour exceeds the 10-minute threshold



**Scenario 4: Reading Documents**
• Stop typing at 2:00 PM → Read materials → Resume at 2:45 PM | Idle setting: 15 minutes
• Result: 45 minutes marked as IDLE
• Why: No keyboard/mouse activity for 45 minutes exceeds the 15-minute threshold



**Scenario 5: System Locked**
• Lock computer at any time | Any idle setting
• Result: Locked period marked as IDLE
• Why: Locking stops all keyboard/mouse activity, triggering idle detection



**Scenario 6: Laptop Lid Closed**
• Close laptop lid at any time | Any idle setting
• Result: Period with lid closed marked as IDLE
• Why: Same as locked system—no activity possible, idle detection applies



**Scenario 7: Video Calls Without Excluding Idle**
• Join Zoom at 3:00 PM → Listen (no typing/clicking) → Leave at 4:00 PM | Idle setting: 10 minutes
• Result: 60 minutes marked as IDLE
• Why: Default behavior treats lack of keyboard/mouse activity as idle



**Scenario 8: Video Calls With Exclude Idle Enabled**
• Join Zoom at 3:00 PM → Listen (no typing/clicking) → Leave at 4:00 PM | Zoom excluded from idle detection
• Result: 60 minutes remain ACTIVE
• Why: Exclude Idle recognises video conferencing as a legitimate work activity

---
### 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.*

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