A comprehensive full-stack productivity tracking system for developers using VS Code
vMetrics is a sophisticated productivity tracking ecosystem designed specifically for developers who want to understand and optimize their coding habits. The system seamlessly tracks your coding activity across multiple devices through a VS Code extension, processes this data through a powerful backend server, and presents beautiful insights through a modern web dashboard.
- Smart File Monitoring: Tracks when you open, edit, save, and close files
- Language Detection: Automatically identifies programming languages you're working with
- Project Recognition: Intelligently categorizes your work by project/workspace
- Focus Session Tracking: Monitors active coding periods and idle time
- Multi-Device Synchronization: Unifies data across all your development machines
- Productivity Insights: Understand your coding patterns and peak productivity hours
- Time Allocation: See exactly how much time you spend on different projects and languages
- Session Analysis: Track focus sessions, breaks, and overall work-life balance
- Trend Monitoring: Identify productivity trends over time with detailed historical data
- Metadata Only: Never tracks actual code content, only file metadata and timing
- GitHub Authentication: Secure login using your existing GitHub account
- Local Data Control: Choose what data to sync and maintain control over your information
vMetrics consists of three integrated components working together:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Captures coding activity as it happens
- Offline Support: Continues tracking even when disconnected from the internet
- Smart Batching: Efficiently syncs data without impacting VS Code performance
- Idle Detection: Automatically detects when you step away from coding
- Status Bar Integration: Shows current tracking status and quick stats
Key Features:
- File open/close/save/edit tracking
- Programming language detection
- Workspace and project identification
- Window focus/blur monitoring
- Configurable idle timeout (default: 5 minutes)
- Session management with unique identifiers
- Real-Time Data Processing: Handles incoming activity data from extensions
- Session Management: Intelligently processes raw events into meaningful sessions
- Multi-Device Support: Merges data from multiple development machines
- GitHub OAuth Integration: Secure authentication and user management
- RESTful API: Provides comprehensive endpoints for dashboard consumption
Technology Stack:
- Node.js with Express.js framework
- MongoDB for flexible data storage
- WebSocket support for real-time features
- JWT-based authentication
- Helmet for security hardening
- Rate limiting and CORS protection
- Modern UI: Built with Next.js 15 and shadcn/ui components
- Interactive Charts: Beautiful visualizations using Recharts library
- Responsive Design: Optimized for desktop and mobile viewing
- Dark/Light Mode: Automatic theme switching based on system preferences
- Real-Time Updates: Live activity status when actively coding
Activity Overview:
- Daily, weekly, and monthly coding time summaries
- Project-wise time allocation and progress tracking
- Programming language usage statistics and expertise mapping
- File activity patterns and most-edited files
Visual Insights:
- GitHub-style activity heatmaps showing consistency over time
- Interactive charts displaying productivity trends
- Project comparison graphs and language distribution charts
- Focus session analysis with average session lengths
Focus Management:
- Session tracking with automatic idle detection
- Break pattern analysis for work-life balance insights
- Peak productivity hour identification
- Distraction pattern recognition
Goal Setting & Tracking:
- Daily coding time goals and achievement tracking
- Project milestone progress monitoring
- Consistency streaks and habit formation insights
Seamless Integration:
- Automatic data merging across multiple development machines
- Unique machine identification for device-specific insights
- Centralized dashboard showing unified productivity metrics
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Smart Overview:
- Today's productivity summary with key metrics
- Current activity status (live tracking when coding)
- Quick access to most relevant projects and languages
- Trend indicators showing productivity changes
Detailed Analytics:
- Tabbed interface for different time ranges (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Interactive filtering by projects, languages, or date ranges
- Exportable charts and data for external analysis
- Customizable dashboard widgets and layouts
Activity Heatmap:
- Visual representation of coding consistency over time
- Color-coded intensity based on daily activity levels
- Tooltip details showing exact hours and session counts
- Configurable time ranges for historical analysis
- No Code Content: Only metadata (file names, timestamps, languages) is tracked
- Encrypted Communication: All data transmission uses HTTPS/WSS protocols
- User Control: Full control over data retention and deletion
- GitHub Authentication: No additional passwords or sensitive data storage
- Open Metrics: Clear visibility into what data is collected
- Configurable Tracking: Ability to customize what activities are monitored
- Data Export: Option to export your data at any time
- Privacy Settings: Granular control over data sharing and visibility
- Productivity Insights: Understand your most productive hours and optimize your schedule
- Project Management: Track time spent on different projects for accurate billing or reporting
- Skill Development: Monitor programming language usage to identify areas for growth
- Work-Life Balance: Ensure healthy coding patterns with break and session tracking
- Team Analytics: Aggregate insights (when privacy settings allow)
- Project Tracking: Monitor collective progress on team projects
- Resource Allocation: Understand team productivity patterns for better planning
- Technology Adoption: Track team-wide adoption of new languages and tools
- Time Tracking: Accurate billing with detailed project breakdowns
- Client Reporting: Professional reports showing work patterns and dedication
- Portfolio Insights: Demonstrate expertise through language and project diversity
- Productivity Optimization: Maximize billable hours through better work habits
- Minimal VS Code Impact: Lightweight extension with efficient event handling
- Smart Data Batching: Reduces network overhead with intelligent sync strategies
- Offline Resilience: Continues tracking even without internet connectivity
- Fast Dashboard Loading: Optimized queries and caching for quick insights
- Easy Setup: Simple installation through VS Code marketplace
- Intuitive Interface: Clean, modern dashboard design with excellent UX
- Flexible Configuration: Customizable settings for different workflow preferences
- Reliable Tracking: Robust error handling and data integrity protection
- Microservices Ready: Modular design allowing for easy scaling and maintenance
- Database Optimization: Efficient MongoDB schemas with proper indexing
- API Design: RESTful endpoints following best practices
- Security First: Implementation of security best practices throughout the stack
vMetrics is built around the principle of "Insights Without Intrusion" - providing valuable productivity insights while maintaining complete privacy and minimal impact on your development workflow. The system is designed to be:
- Non-Invasive: Runs silently in the background without disrupting your coding flow
- Privacy-Conscious: Never accesses or stores your actual code content
- Actionable: Provides insights that can genuinely help improve productivity
- Beautiful: Modern, intuitive interface that makes data exploration enjoyable
- Reliable: Consistent tracking and data integrity across all usage scenarios
Transform your coding productivity with actionable insights.
Discover patterns, optimize your workflow, and achieve your development goals with vMetrics.