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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Updated on: 29/07/2026