GitLab is a DevOps platform for collaborative software development. It is a web-based Git repository with an unlimited number of open and private repositories, issue-following capabilities, and wikis. It allows developers to follow the software development life cycle from project planning to monitoring and security. GitLab also provides a bug tracking system where you can create tasks, leave comments and close them. All this functionality is available from the web interface with a few limitations.
Starting at version 8.14, users get access to limited GitLab time tracking capabilities that allow you to define estimates and record time against issues and merge requests. But if you need a more solid time management solution integrated with GitLab and working outside the GitLab environment, actiTIME might be a good fit. Let’s see how you can improve GitLab time tracking with actiTIME using GitLab integration.
How to Integrate actiTIME with GitLab
actiTIME supports multiple software integrations including GitLab. You can connect the two apps in two ways: via direct actiTIME integration and via Zapier. Let’s see how they work.
actiTIME Integration with GitLab
To connect your actiTIME with GitLab, all you need to go to the settings and tick GitLab in the list of apps.
After that, you will be able to start a timer with actiTIME browser extension directly from the issue list or the specific issue or pull request you’re currently working on. You can pause the timer anytime and stop it when you are done.
To select a task to track time against, you may enjoy a smart suggestion feature that gives you a list of previously created tasks to save your captured time to. You can also pick a task from recent tasks, enter a task name manually or create a new task right from the extension interface.
In case you forgot to pause the timer when you were away from the computer, you may edit your captured hours manually.
actiTIME Integration with GitLab via Zapier
Zapier integration can make a good addition to your actiTIME integration with GitLab. Zapier is an automation app that connects apps, allowing you to share data between them or trigger specific events for you. All you need is to create triggers and connect them with the resulting actions. For example, whenever a new commit is created in GitLab, a new Task will be automatically created in actiTIME that you can use to track time against.
What Else actiTIME Can Do
After you connected the apps, created a few tasks and logged time there are many other features that can enhance your time tracking experience.
Timesheet Time Tracking
actiTIME weekly timesheet is the key interface of the app where you can review your list of weekly tasks and logged time. Using this interface, you can use it to supply your time entries with comments that your team lead or project manager can review in time tracking reports.
Online timesheet interface in actiTIME where every user can select task parameters
they want to see in their timesheets
Define Estimates, Deadlines & Monitor Your Progress
In actiTIME, you can set up estimated time and deadlines for each task and review your progress if you turn them in your timesheet.
Configure Workflow & Monitor Project Progress in a Kanban Board
To manage project progress more effectively, you can build your own workflow process that meets your project standards. Create custom workflow statuses for open and completed tasks, choose status colors and see your project progress in a Kanban board.
Kanban board in actiTIME displaying custom workflow statuses
and actual time vs. estimated time
Review Performance
Your team leads and project managers can use your tasks and time logs to build reports and review team performance and time distribution across tasks and projects.
Ready to Upgrade Your GitLab Time Tracking?
actiTIME is more than a simple time tracking solution – it also provides project management features and integrations that development teams can benefit from. Inbuilt GitLab time tracking features only cover a small part of time management needs, but actiTIME integration with GitLab enhances your options from task management to workflow management and analytics.
You can also consider actiTIME outside GitLab for project management, attendance and even leave management. Learn more about actiTIME features or book a product demo to learn if this time tracking solution is a good fit for your needs.
