MinuteDock - Frequently Asked Questions - One step time tracking and invoicing with Xero

MinuteDock and Xero - how does it work?

MinuteDock integrates with Xero using their API (You can find out more about the Xero API here). We read across your Xero Contacts (to save you entering all your customer details into both MinuteDock and Xero), some information about your organisation (its name, tax status, and Xero version), Tax Status, the Xero Accounts you have set up.

We don't store any information about invoices you have created outside MinuteDock (we look them up initially so we can make a guess at which contacts should be "pinned").

We also use the API to create Draft invoices for the time you've tracked in MinuteDock. We are not able to approve or send Invoices via the API.

We are not able to access your Bank Account balances via the API. You can find out more by reading our Privacy Policy.

How does MinuteDock keep my data secure?

We're very secure by default. All our data is housed in world class datacentres. However, for the security conscious - you can enable SSL from your Profile tab. We provide it completely free of charge, but it will slightly slow down page load times.

We'll leave out the technical stuff - but simply put, SSL means that communications between your browser and our servers are encrypted. Without it, there is the potential that some nasty person can view the data transferred between us.

Note: When we communicate with Xero for you, we always use SSL.

Do I need a Xero account to use MinuteDock?

No, you don't need a Xero account to use the basic features of MinuteDock such as tracking time and viewing reports, however to send invoices and a few other things you'll need to get yourself a Xero account.

Xero really is the best thing since sliced bread - it's the main reason we built MinuteDock - so hurry up and get an account already if you don't have one (and if you need help getting set up, try Xerds).

How do I log time?

You can log time using the log bar inside MinuteDock, via the bookmarklet, or via Twitter.

Just type a quick description of what you're doing/have done, then hit "log". Easy as that! You can fill out all the details later - for now, just get it down (remember: time is money!)

If you'd like to use a timer, just click the "clock" icon on the right hand side of the log bar. That will start an active timer. You can pause it by clicking it again. Click "log" to log the time from the timer.

To choose which contact you're logging time against, just type "@" followed by their short code (press enter or click on their name in the drop down). The selected contact's short code will appear to the left of the log bar (learn more about short codes).

If you'd just like to log everything you've done today in one fell swoop, you can use our time shorthand - add something like "for 3 hours" or "for 45 minutes" to your entry before logging it.

If I start a timer, can I close my window/tab?

Yes! You sure can - once you've started a timer you can close your browser and come back later - we'll remember exactly how long you've been working hard :-)

Can I back-date time entries?

You sure can! Just add the time that you logged the entry; "(yesterday)", or "(last tuesday)", or a date like "(25/12/09)" to the end of your entry before logging it.

Otherwise, if you've already logged the entry, you can simply click the entry on the Entries tab to edit it and change the date using the handy calendar.

What does "pinning" a Contact mean?

"Pinned" contacts always appear at the top of the drop-down in the log bar. You should pin all the contacts you are currently actively tracking time against.

You can pin contacts by clicking the Contacts tab, searching for the contact you'd like to pin, and clicking the "pin" icon.

What's a Contact Short Code?

Short codes are just an easy way to refer to contacts in the log bar drop-down. Think of it just like a Twitter Username. You can set your contact's short code to anything you'd like - just make it memorable.

To change a contact's short code, click the Contacts tab, search for the contact you'd like to change, and click "edit".

How can I change the default hourly rate for a Contact?

MinuteDock will automatically set the default hourly rate for a Contact as the rate of the first line of any invoice you create for that Contact. This means that we'll automatically keep up to date with your latest hourly rate.

Alternatively, you can manually set the default hourly rate for a contact by visiting the Contacts tab and editing the Contact. If you do this, MinuteDock will stop automatically updating the default hourly rate.

What is a Task?

Tasks are an easy way to sort and categorize your time entries. Just hit the hash # key (SHIFT + 3) when you're creating your entry and it will drop down a list of existing Tasks, or allow you to create new ones. You can associate an entry with as many "Tasks" as you want.

Once you've got a few entries associated with Tasks, you can then sort by Tasks when creating an invoice, and very soon you'll be able to generate and filter reports based on Tasks too - so use them wisely, they're a very powerful tool!

You can manage your Tasks at any time by visiting the Tasks tab - you can create default hourly rates for tasks and even pin them like Contacts!

How do I track "unbillable" time?

You can now track your unbillable time using Tasks. Just create a task (eg #unbillable) and set its default hourly rate to $0.00 on the Tasks tab.

Once you've done that you can start associating unbillable entries with this task and they'll always be set to $0.00 on any invoices created - this means your Contact can still see that you've done the work, but that you're giving it to them gratis.

Can I round my time entries to the nearest X minutes?

You sure can - just head over to the Account Settings page and enter a time rounding. Each entry logged will then be automatically rounded up to the nearest minutes you've chosen (for all users on your account).

What is Client View?

Client View is a URL you can send to your client to allow them to view - in real time - the time you've logged against them without having to log in or create an account. They can filter by week or month to get a feel for how big their next juicy invoice is going to be.

To enable client view for a contact, click the Contacts tab, search for the contact you'd like to enable it for, click "edit" and then click "enable client view". Then copy the URL that appears in the box below and send this to your client.

How do I use the "bookmarklet"?

MinuteDock lets you log your time from any page with the use of a special bookmark known as a "bookmarklet". This is a completely secure small piece of code embedded in a normal bookmark that will add MinuteDock's log bar to any page you're viewing. This will help you log time faster without having to return to our website.

To use the bookmarklet, just drag the image below on to your bookmarks toolbar;

Does MinuteDock have any hot-keys?

Some people just like to go fast. We like to go fast. So we built hotkeys!

Hot-key	Result
`SHIFT + 1`	Focuses the log-bar, so you can start typing text without having to click with your mouse.
`SHIFT + 2`	Pick a Contact to log time against. (Only works when log-bar is focused)
`SHIFT + 3`	Pick Tasks to associate this entry with. (Only works when log-bar is focused)
`SHIFT + 8`	Toggles the timer.
`SHIFT + .`	Logs the entry currently in your log-bar.
`BACKSPACE`	While your cursor is at the beginning of the log bar, pressing BACKSPACE will clear your contact and pressing it again will clear your timer.

How do I log time using Twitter?

You can log time using your favourite Twitter client! Get started by adding your Twitter username to your MinuteDock user account by visiting the Account tab and editing your user.

Once you've added your Twitter username it's as simple as sending a direct message to @minutedock - make sure you follow first!

To send a direct message (or DM), just type "d minutedock <command>" into your Twitter client. So to start a timer for Xero you might send "d minutedock start @xero working on some cool things".

There's a bunch of commands you can send to create or update time entries or even start and stop timers, here are a few;

Command	Result
`@short_code did some stuff`	Sets or updates a time entry.
`log (or l, or >)`	Logs an existing entry or timer.
`log (or l, or >) @short_code did some stuff`	Sets and logs an entry.
`start`	Starts a timer.
`start @short_code did some stuff`	Starts a timer, and sets or updates an entry.
`pause (or stop, or p)`	Pauses (stops) a running timer.
`timer (or t, or *)`	Toggles (starts or pauses) a timer.
`timer (or t, or *) @short_code did some stuff`	Toggles (starts or pauses) a timer, and sets or updates an entry.
`reset (or clear, or %)`	Clears the current entry and any timers.
`status (or =)`	Tells you the current status of your entry (can also be checked by visiting the website or opening the bookmarklet).
`help (or ?)`	Sends you a link to this FAQ entry.

Who's behind this awesomeness?

MinuteDock is the quiet dream (and hard work!) of James from Bandit Design, and Nik and Olly from Code To Customer, and more recently the legendary Jared.

We love to hear what people think of our little product, so if you get a minute, and let us know.

What if I want to cancel my account?

No worries at all - we're sorry it didn't work out for you. You can cancel your account in the Payment Options page under the Account tab at any time. We'll do our best to keep your inactive account safe and sound for you in case you want to come back at a later date.

Unfortunately we do not provide refunds. You can read more about this in our terms of use.

What are your Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy?

You can read our terms of use here and our privacy policy here.

What are your legal details?

We're a limited liability company based in Wellington, New Zealand.

MinuteDock Ltd.

Level 1, Planet Design Building
180 Victoria Street
Te Aro
Wellington 6011
NEW ZEALAND

Nik Wakelin

Director
+64 27 424 5433