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Desktop client · v0.3.0

Download esstracker

Install once. Sign in with your work account. Tracking runs in the notification tray — built for ESS Tracker.

Detecting your system…

Windows

Windows 10 / 11 · 64-bit

Ready
Download installer (.exe) 32 MB

Run the installer → Next → Finish. Adds Start Menu, tray autostart, and an uninstall entry in Windows Settings.

  • Recommended for most PCs
  • System tray + Sign in window
  • May need “Allow app” if SmartScreen warns (unsigned builds)

macOS

Monterey 12+ · Apple Silicon & Intel

DMG must be built on a Mac, code-signed & notarized for Gatekeeper. Coming from our Mac build lane.

  • Drag to Applications (required)
  • Grant Accessibility + Screen Recording when asked
  • Without those permissions, titles/screenshots stay empty

Linux

Ubuntu 20.04–24.04 · Debian · amd64

Ready
Download .deb 30 MB
  • One app in Applications · round ESS icon
  • Sign in → tray · autostart at login
  • Best on X11; Wayland may hide window titles

Install in three steps

Same employee experience on every OS.

  1. Install Windows: run esstracker-Setup.exe. Mac: open .dmg → Applications. Linux: install the .deb.
  2. Sign in Use your esstracker username & password — no config files.
  3. Track esstracker stays in the tray and syncs to your company server.

Windows quick install

Double-click esstracker-Setup-0.3.0.exe → Next → Finish
# Silent install for IT: esstracker-Setup-0.3.0.exe /VERYSILENT
# Start → esstracker → Sign in (tray icon in notification area)

Linux quick install

sudo apt install ./esstracker_*.deb
# then: Applications → esstracker → Sign in

The “unsandboxed as root / _apt” notice during install is harmless on Debian/Ubuntu.

Tracking accuracy by platform

We researched how production time trackers ship clients — and the real limits of each OS. This is what to expect.

Windows

  • Active window via Win32 — generally reliable
  • Idle via last input tick — reliable
  • Screenshots need a normal desktop session (not locked RDP quirks)
  • Unsigned .exe may show SmartScreen — “More info → Run anyway”
  • Antivirus sometimes flags PyInstaller bundles (false positive)

macOS

  • Must live in /Applications
  • Accessibility permission required for window titles
  • Screen Recording required for screenshots
  • Without notarization, Gatekeeper blocks launch (“unidentified developer”)
  • Build Apple Silicon vs Intel separately

Linux

  • X11 + xdotool / xprintidle = best accuracy
  • Wayland often blocks window titles for sandboxed apps
  • GNOME needs AppIndicator extension for the tray icon
  • Install tray deps via apt (bundled in our .deb Depends)
  • Must run inside a graphical session (not SSH-only)

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