Log time faster than you can say "billable hour." The quick-entry system that pros use.
You know you should track time as you work. Every productivity guru says so. But here's the reality:
You're deep in research. An idea clicks. You start drafting. Then you remember you should track time. You click around, find the client, find the matter, click new entry, pick a task code, type a description... and the thought is gone.
You're deep in research. An idea clicks. You hit a key. Timer starts. You keep working. The moment is preserved.
The difference between good time tracking and bad time tracking isn't discipline. It's friction.
Kill the friction and you'll capture time you didn't even know you were losing.
Quick Capture is an even faster option for logging time on the fly. It's a minimal floating window that stays out of your way. Press C from Launchpad to try it. Quick Capture tutorial →
VIDEO COMING SOON: Quick Capture window slides in from any app — press ⌘⇧T, type client + time + description, hit Enter. 3 seconds flat.
Looping video · No audio · ~10-15 seconds
The Quick Entry window appears instantly over any application — no context switching needed.
The 3-Second Time Entry
Global shortcut. Works even when TimeNet Law is in the background.
This shortcut opens the Quick Entry window instantly — from anywhere on your Mac. You don't need to switch apps, find windows, or click through menus.
Here's the workflow:
Done. You're back to work. The whole thing takes about 3 seconds once you've done it a few times.
VIDEO COMING SOON: Full 3-second time entry: ⌘⇧T → type 'Smith' (autocompletes) → '.3' → 'Phone call re discovery' → Enter → entry saved, window gone.
Looping video · No audio · ~10-15 seconds
Watch the complete workflow: global shortcut, smart autocomplete, instant save — all in 3 seconds.
You can also start a running timer from Quick Entry. Just leave the time field empty and hit Enter — the timer starts and you can stop it whenever you're done.
Use the 3-second entry for completed tasks — things you just did:
For longer tasks where you don't know how long they'll take, use the running timer instead.
SCREENSHOT: Time entries list showing several quick entries with client names, durations (0.1–0.5), and descriptions — all captured via Quick Entry.
Quick entries appear instantly in your time log — ready for invoicing.
The key to recovering lost billable time isn't willpower. It's making the good behavior automatic.
This week, try this: Every time you finish a phone call, immediately press ⌘ + ⇧ + T. Don't think about it. Just make it the thing you do after hanging up.
By Friday, you'll do it without thinking. And you'll never lose another phone call to "I'll enter it later."
SCREENSHOT: Menu bar showing the TimeNet Law icon with a small timer badge and the last Quick Entry notification toast fading out.
The menu bar icon confirms your entry was saved — a subtle nudge that builds the habit.
Studies show attorneys lose 20-40% of their billable time to "I'll remember to bill that later." Spoiler: you won't. Capture it in 3 seconds and move on.
Don't like ⌘ + ⇧ + T? Change it to whatever feels right:
Some attorneys use ⌘ + ⇧ + Space. Others use function keys. Whatever you'll actually press — that's the right shortcut.
SCREENSHOT: TimeNet Law Settings → Shortcuts panel showing the Quick Time Entry shortcut field with the current key combination and a 'Record New Shortcut' button.
Customize your global shortcut in Settings → Shortcuts to whatever feels natural.
Check out Timer Techniques That Actually Work for running timers and multi-matter workflows.