Questions & answers

Questions we get asked.

Short answers. If yours isn't here, email us and we'll write back.

What does it do, exactly?

While it's on, your computer stays awake and Teams and Slack keep showing you as Available. Every few minutes it moves your pointer a tiny distance and puts it back where it was. Your computer counts that as activity. You won't see it happen.

Does it ever click anything?

Never. It only moves the pointer. It doesn't press buttons and it doesn't type. So there's nothing it can open or delete by accident. There's an automated test that checks that on every change we make.

Is anything installed on my computer?

No. Ticking Along is just a folder. You download it and double-click the app inside. When you've had enough of it, delete the folder. Nothing is left behind.

Does it use the internet?

It never connects to the internet. Everything happens on your own computer. It writes one settings file, and you can open that in Notepad or TextEdit and read every line.

What does it need on a Mac?

On a Mac, one permission. macOS asks for it the first time you start the app, and the welcome window shows you where to click. There's a button that opens the right Settings page for you. On Windows there's nothing to set up.

Can it turn my computer on in the morning?

No. No app can wake a computer that's asleep or shut down. Office hours starts as soon as the computer is awake again. So if you want it going at 9:00 sharp, either leave the computer awake overnight, or open the lid when you get in and it starts on its own.

What if I close my laptop's lid?

Closing the lid puts a laptop to sleep, and a sleeping computer always shows as Away. That's the computer doing it, and no app can change it. Leave the lid open while you're at your desk, even if the screen goes dark.

Can I run it from a USB stick?

Yes, and it's a popular way to use it. Copy the folder onto a stick and your settings travel with it from desk to desk. Pull the stick out and the app stops.

How much does it cost?

$12, once. That covers both the Mac and the Windows version, for you, on the computers you use. There's no subscription and no account to create.

What if it's not for me?

Full refund within 30 days, no questions asked. Details on the refunds page.

Why does my status go to Away even though I'm working?

Teams and Slack go by your keyboard and pointer. A few quiet minutes and they mark you Away. They can't see the pen in your hand. We wrote a longer piece on why that happens and what you can do about it.