Getting started with RescueTime Lite

Welcome to RescueTime! Let's get started!

1. Download and install the RescueTime app. Once installed, open your Assistant by clicking on the RescueTime icon in your menu bar or system tray.

• How to download and install RescueTime for Windows
• How to download and install RescueTime for Mac

2. Lite accounts send data to our servers every 30 minutes. Tracking begins once the RescueTime app is installed and running. RescueTime only records the app or website currently in the foreground, and your activity is reported on the web app as long as the app is active.

3. Make sure your work schedule is set up, as this determines when your work time is tracked and reported. During these hours, your Assistant will help you stay on track to reach your Focus Work goal. You can find more details about work schedules here. 

4. Categorize your activities as Focus Work, Other Work, or Personal/Distracting. Open the Activities page to see your daily activities and time spent on them. Hover over an activity and use the arrows to assign it to one of the three categories.

• Focus Work: Your most important tasks that require deep concentration.
• Other Work: Administrative tasks, email, and similar activities.
• Personal or Distracting Activities: Non-work activities.

5. Visit your Dashboard for an overview of your time and to check your Productivity Pulse—a score based on your ratio of productive to unproductive activity. Your Dashboard also highlights the main activities you spend your time on, giving you a quick snapshot of your work habits.

6. Create a goal to stay on track with your time. Lite users can set one goal, whether it's to limit time on certain activities or to reach a set amount of time on a productive activity. You'll receive an alert when you hit your goal, helping you stay aware of your progress.