As an alternative for users of GNOME 3 and other desktop environments that don't support app trays, or simply to avoid depending on Qt, you can place two simple workaround scripts in your ActivityWatch install folder:
start.sh:
#!/bin/bash cd ~/.local/opt/activitywatch # Put your ActivityWatch install folder here ./aw-watcher-afk/aw-watcher-afk & ./aw-watcher-window/aw-watcher-window & # you can add --exclude-title here to exclude window title tracking for this session only notify-send "ActivityWatch started" # Optional, sends a notification when ActivityWatch is started ./aw-server/aw-server;
kill.sh:
#!/bin/bash pkill aw- notify-send "ActivityWatch killed" # Optional, sends a notification when ActivityWatch is killed
Don't forget to chmod +x start.sh and chmod +x kill.sh.
Then you can create two desktop files for these scripts to show up among your apps. Be sure to substitute user for your own username:
~/.local/share/applications/aw-start.desktop:
[Desktop Entry] Name=Start ActivityWatch Comment=Start AW Exec="/home/user/.local/opt/activitywatch/start.sh" Hidden=false Terminal=false Type=Application Version=1.0 Icon=activitywatch Categories=Utility;
~/.local/share/applications/aw-kill.desktop:
[Desktop Entry] Name=Kill ActivityWatch Comment=Kill AW Exec="/home/user/.local/opt/activitywatch/kill.sh" Hidden=false Terminal=false Type=Application Version=1.0 Icon=activitywatch Categories=Utility;