🚀 From Problem to Solution: Building a Clockify MCP Tool with AI
The Problem That Started It All 🤔
As someone who tracks time for multiple projects, I was constantly switching between Claude (for work assistance) and Clockify (for time tracking). The manual back-and-forth was eating into my productivity. I thought: "What if Claude could directly manage my time entries?"
What is MCP? (Model Context Protocol) 🔌
Think of MCP as a "universal translator" that lets AI assistants like Claude connect to your favorite tools. Instead of copy-pasting data between apps, Claude can now directly:
Fill out your timesheets
Create projects
Generate reports
Start/stop timers
It's like giving your AI assistant hands to work with your tools!
The Journey: Coding WITH Claude 💻
Here's where it gets interesting - I used Claude itself to build this integration! Using "vibe coding" (collaborative coding with AI), I:
Researched together: Claude helped analyze Clockify's API documentation
Architected the solution: We designed a TypeScript-based MCP server
Built iteratively: Claude wrote code, I tested, we refined
Debugged as a team: When something broke, we fixed it together
Tech Stack (Non-tech translation 🔧):
TypeScript: Like JavaScript but with guardrails (catches errors early)
Model Context Protocol: The bridge between Claude and Clockify
Node.js: The engine that runs our server
Clockify API: The doorway into the time-tracking app
The Magic in Action ✨
Now I can simply tell Claude:
"Start tracking time for the marketing project"
"Show me this week's time entries"
"Create a new project for Client X"
"Generate a timesheet report for last month"
And it just works! No app switching, no manual data entry.
Why This Matters for Everyone 🌟
This isn't just about time tracking. It's about the future of work where:
AI becomes your productivity multiplier
Tools talk to each other seamlessly
Manual data entry becomes extinct
You focus on creative work, not administrative tasks
The Meta Moment 🤯
The coolest part? I built a tool to automate my workflow... using the very AI that now uses that tool. Claude helped me create something that makes Claude more useful. It's like teaching someone to teach themselves!
What's Next? 🔮
This is just the beginning. Imagine AI assistants that can:
Update your CRM while you're on a call
Sync your calendar with project management tools
Generate reports from multiple data sources instantly
Reply / Prioritize your emails.
The future of work isn't about replacing humans with AI - it's about giving humans AI superpowers.
For Fellow Builders 👥
If you're curious about MCP or want to build your own integrations, the documentation is getting better every day. Start small, think about your daily pain points, and remember - you don't have to code alone. AI can be your pair programming partner!
To Know more about the code I created using Claude AI
Github: https://github.com/ratheesh-aot/clockify-mcp
To understand the code better : https://github.com/ratheesh-aot/clockify-mcp/blob/main/mcp_components_guide.md
Sample Screenshots : (Some Informations are blurrred for privacy)
If you want to use this MCP i created with your AI chatbot , use like below
Users will install with:
npm install -g @ratheesh-aot/clockify-mcp-serverAnd configure Claude Desktop or any MCP supported tool with below configuration:
JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"clockify": {
"command": "clockify-mcp-server",
"env": {
"CLOCKIFY_API_KEY": "their_api_key"
}
}
}
}Have you automated any repetitive tasks in your workflow? What would you want your AI assistant to handle for you? Drop a comment below! 👇
#AI #Productivity #MCP #Automation #TimeTracking #Clockify #Claude #TechInnovation #FutureOfWork #BuildInPublic

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