Trace uses a desktop application that works with Actionstep to help you capture and record billable work outside of the Actionstep platform (e.g., recording work you do in emails and documents). 

Before you can use Trace, you need to launch and authenticate the desktop application. Once authenticated, Trace runs quietly in the background on your computer, monitoring activity in your active window and capturing details such as application names, file names, and content to help build an accurate record of your work. This activity appears as suggestions on your Timesheet, where you can choose which items to convert into billable or non-billable time entries. For more information, see Reviewing and Recording Time Entries Using Trace.

Launching the Trace Application

To use Trace, you must first launch it so it's added to your System Tray. Once launched, it should be available each time you start up and sign in to your computer, but in some cases (e.g., you quit the application), you will need to relaunch it. 

To do this:

1. In Windows, click the Start button. The Start menu is displayed. 
2. In the Search for apps box, type Trace. Trace appears as an option to launch.
3. Click Open for the Trace app.
   
4. If prompted, sign in to Actionstep. 

Trace is launched and should now be available to access from your System Tray, which you can do by clicking the Show hidden icons icon.

Tip: You can pin the Trace icon directly to your System Tray by viewing it on the hidden icons list and then dragging it to the visible area near your system clock.

Signing In to the Trace Application

Trace stores your credentials and signs you in automatically when you start up your computer. However, sometimes authentication tokens may expire, or you may forget to log in.

To sign in to the Trace application:

1. In the Windows taskbar, click the Show hidden icons icon to view the background apps that are currently running on your computer.
2. Find and right-click on the Trace icon. It should show a red indicator if it's not running.
3. Choose Start from the list of options. The Actionstep sign-in page appears.
4. Enter your sign-in credentials.

5. Once signed in, close the browser window. The Trace icon in the System Tray should now indicate that Trace is running.

   Trace is actively tracking

   Trace is paused

Pausing or Quitting Trace

At times, you may want to pause or stop time-tracking entirely.

To do this:

1. Find the Trace icon in your System Tray.
2. Right-click on it and choose one of the following options:
   • Stop: Choose this option to simply pause Trace and keep it from tracking potential billable activity. You can easily return to the System Tray to restart tracking. 
   • Quit: Choose this option to stop tracking and close the Trace application. Once you do this, the Trace icon will no longer be accessible from the System Tray, and you will need to relaunch the application next time you want to track your time. (See Launching the Trace Application and Signing In to the Trace Application (above) for instructions on how to do this.)

Updated July 10, 2026 14:21