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LeanLaw Desktop Tracker: Installation and Time Tracking

How to install and use LeanLaw's Desktop Tracker — a lightweight Windows and Mac app for tracking time, starting timers, and creating time entries without a browser.

LeanLaw Desktop Tracker is a lightweight application for Windows and Mac that lets you track time, start and stop timers, and create time entries without opening a browser. It's ideal for timekeepers who want fast access to LeanLaw from their desktop throughout the day.

 

What Desktop Tracker Does

  • Create time entries: Log time directly from the desktop without switching to a browser tab.
  • Start/stop timers: Run multiple concurrent timers and convert them to time entries when ready.
  • View today's entries: See a summary of what you've tracked for the day at a glance.
  • Access your matters: Browse the matters you have access to and select them when creating entries.

📋 Sync is automatic but requires an active network connection: All time entries created in Desktop Tracker sync to LeanLaw in real time — they appear immediately in the browser, mobile app, and are available for billing. We currently do not support offline time entries syncing.

 

Installing Desktop Tracker

  1. In LeanLaw (browser), click the gear icon ⚙️ → Settings.
  2. Under My Settings, click the Tools tab.
  3. Click Install next to LeanLaw Desktop Tracker.
  4. The installer file downloads to your computer.

 

Windows Installation

  1. Locate the downloaded leanlaw.exe file (typically in your Downloads folder).
  2. If a browser warning appears (e.g., 'Keep' prompt at the bottom of the screen), click Keep — the file is safe.
  3. Open the .exe file. If Windows shows a 'Windows protected your PC' blue screen, click More info → Run anyway.
  4. Follow the installation prompts. Desktop Tracker installs and appears in your system tray or taskbar.

 

Mac Installation

  1. Locate the downloaded installer file in your Downloads folder.
  2. Open the file. If macOS shows a security warning for an unidentified developer, go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → click Open Anyway.
  3. Follow the installation prompts. Desktop Tracker appears in your menu bar or Applications folder.

⚠️ Security warnings are expected: Both Windows Defender and macOS Gatekeeper may flag the Desktop Tracker installer since it is distributed directly by LeanLaw rather than through a platform store. This is normal — the application is safe to install.

 

Logging In to Desktop Tracker

When you open Desktop Tracker for the first time:

  1. Enter your LeanLaw email address.
  2. Sign in using the same method as your browser (LeanLaw password, Google, or Microsoft 365).
  3. You'll be logged in and can see your matters and begin tracking time.

 

Creating a Time Entry in Desktop Tracker

  1. Open Desktop Tracker from your system tray, menu bar, or taskbar.
  2. Click New Time Entry (or the + button).
  3. Select the client and matter from your accessible matters list.
  4. Enter the hours worked and a description.
  5. Set the date (defaults to today).
  6. Click Save. The entry appears immediately in LeanLaw.

 

Using Timers in Desktop Tracker

Desktop Tracker supports real-time timers:

  1. Click Start Timer to begin tracking time for a task.
  2. The timer runs in the background — you can continue working in other applications.
  3. Click Stop Timer when the task is complete.
  4. The elapsed time is shown. Review, assign to a client/matter, and save as a time entry.

💡 Multiple timers: You can run multiple timers simultaneously — useful for tracking time across several matters throughout the day. Only one timer can be actively counting at a time; starting a new timer pauses the previous one.

 

Updating Desktop Tracker

LeanLaw periodically releases updates to Desktop Tracker. The app will notify you when an update is available. Click the update notification to download and install the latest version. Keeping Desktop Tracker up to date ensures compatibility with the latest LeanLaw features.