Browser extension · Local-first
YouTube Time Tracker
Most screen-time totals lack context. A tutorial, a long video, and thirty minutes of scrolling are not the same thing. This extension measures focused activity and makes the differences visible.
- Data
- Stored locally
- Tracks
- Watch, Shorts & browse
- Status
- Open source
The idea
I wanted feedback that was specific enough to change a habit, not another generic weekly total. The tracker separates page types and counts only when YouTube is actually the focused activity.
The approach
Chrome tab, window, alarm, and storage APIs coordinate a small local state machine. Paused videos stop immediately, browsing stops after an inactivity threshold, and recent sessions stay on the device.
The result
The popup shows today’s progress and a configurable goal; a separate dashboard adds trend charts and recent sessions. There is no account, backend, cloud sync, or off-device analytics.