ManicTime for Windows can be controlled from the command line while running. This is useful if you want to automate some tasks, like tagging time or export data using your script.
To use CLI, run Mtc.exe in ManicTime installation folder.
Commands
List of available mtc commands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| export | Exports activities to CSV or Excel file |
| addtag | Create a new tag |
| startstopwatch | Start stopwatch |
| stopstopwatch | Stop stopwatch |
| getstopwatch | Get stopwatch |
Export data
Export activities to CSV or Excel file:
Syntax
mtc export
<timeline schema>
<file path>
[/fd:<from date>] [/td:<to date>]
[/excel]
[/q:<query filter>]
Parameters
| Name | Parameter | Value | Description | Required | Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timeline schema | positional | Available schemas:
|
Local timeline schema | yes | - |
| File path | positional | text | Full path with file name | yes | - |
| From date | /fd: | date(yyyy-mm-dd) | Date filter | no | - |
| To date | /td: | date(yyyy-mm-dd) | Date filter | no | - |
| Excel export | /excel | switch | Export data to MS Excel file | no | CSV file |
| Query filter | /q: | text(query syntax) | Activity filter | no | - |
Examples
e.g. Export computer usage activities for April 2024 to Excel file:
mtc export ManicTime/ComputerUsage "C:\export\ComputerUsage.xlsx" /excel /fd:2024-4-1 /td:2024-4-30
Export folder needs to exist. In above example, c:\export folder needs to exist, before you run the command.
Add tag
Creates a new tag in ManicTime.
Syntax
mtc addtag
/t:<tagcombination>
/st:<start time>
/et:<end time>
[/n:<notes>]
Parameters
| Name | Parameter | Value | Description | Required | Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tag combination | /t: | text | Tags separated by comma | yes | - |
| Start time | /st: | datetime(yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss) | Start time | yes | - |
| End time | /et: | datetime(yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss) | End time | yes | - |
| Notes | /n: | text | Tag notes | no | - |
Examples
e.g. Create a tag with notes for specified time:
mtc addtag /st:2024-04-01T12:00:00 /et:2024-04-01T12:30:00 /t:"Client,Project,Meeting" /n:"Upcoming project discussion"
Start stopwatch
Start a stopwatch, timer or pomodoro. If stopwatch, timer or pomodoro is already running, it stops currently running one, saves the tag and starts a new one.
Syntax
mtc startstopwatch
[/t:<tagcombination>]
[/tl]
[/n:<notes>]
[/m:<mode>]
[/d:<timer duration>]
Parameters
| Name | Parameter | Value | Description | Required | Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tag combination | /t: | text | Tags separated by comma | no | - |
| Notes | /n: | text | Tag notes | no | - |
| Mode | /m: | Available modes:
|
Stopwatch mode | no | stopwatch |
| Timer duration | /d: | number(seconds) | Timer duration in seconds. Only applicable when starting timer or pomodoro | no | - |
Examples
e.g. Start a timer with one hour duration:
mtc startstopwatch /t:"Client,Project,Meeting" /m:Timer /d:3600
Stop stopwatch
Stop currently running stopwatch.
Syntax
mtc stopstopwatch
Get stopwatch
Get currently running stopwatch status.
Syntax
mtc getstopwatch
Example of response:
tagCombination: Client,Project,Meeting
notes: Sample note
duration: 3578
mode: timer
status: running