Time tracking
Time tracking is the practice of measuring and recording the time spent on each task, project or client. It supports accurate billing, profitability analysis and better estimates.
// Glossary
Time tracking glossary
The essential definitions to understand and manage time in an agency, IT services firm or as a freelancer.
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Day rate
A day rate is the amount a provider charges for a day of work. It is calculated by dividing the annual revenue target by the number of genuinely billable days in the year.
Billable time
Billable time refers to worked hours that can be charged back to a client, as opposed to internal time (admin, pre-sales, training). It is the foundation of an agency's or freelancer's revenue.
Billable rate / utilization rate
The billable rate is the share of working time actually billed to clients, expressed as a percentage. A high utilization rate reflects good use of resources, but a rate that is too high can signal overload.
Timesheet
A timesheet is a record of hours worked, broken down by client, project or label over a given period. It serves as billing evidence and as a basis for analyzing workload.
Time and materials billing
Time and materials billing charges a client based on the hours actually worked, usually at a day rate or hourly rate. It contrasts with fixed-price work, where the price is agreed in advance.
Time and materials vs fixed price
Under time and materials, the client pays for the time actually spent and bears the overrun risk. Under fixed price, a set price is agreed for a defined scope and the provider bears the risk of drift.
Client → Project → Label
This is the hierarchical structure Rytmely uses to organize time: every entry is attached to a client, a project and an activity label. This granularity makes it possible to analyze profitability at every level.
Client profitability
Client profitability compares the revenue generated by a client against the cost of the time spent on them. It reveals which accounts are truly profitable and which consume more time than they bring in.
MCP — Model Context Protocol
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI agents connect to external applications securely. Rytmely exposes an MCP API so agents can start timers and browse projects.
AI agent
In time tracking, an AI agent is a software assistant that can automatically record its own working time through an API. Rytmely separates agent timers from human ones to trace automated activity.
PWA — Progressive Web App
A PWA (Progressive Web App) is an installable web application that behaves like a native app: offline access, a home-screen icon and notifications, without going through an app store.
// FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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