Punchero FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Punchero

General

What is Punchero?

Punchero is a simple time-tracking tool from Germany that helps you document your working hours—without complicated apps or constant clock-in/out. You can record times with one click or automate them so tracking runs in the background without thinking about it every day.

How does Punchero work?

You get a personal, randomly generated token as an anonymous username that Punchero uses to identify you.

You can:

  • clock in and out directly on the website, or
  • use automated URLs that set your times—for example from scripts, Windows Task Scheduler, switching on your office ceiling light in a smart home, or simply from your PC’s startup.

Data is stored on servers in the EU, and you can view overviews or statistics for your times at any time.

What does Punchero cost?

You can try Punchero free for two months. If you like the service, you can choose a paid plan after the trial—no obligation.

What are the benefits of Punchero?

Punchero is deliberately simple and user-focused. Core benefits include:

  • Easy to use—record times with one click or automatically.
  • Developed in Germany and operated in the EU (GDPR-aligned).
  • No tracking cookies, no ads, no hidden data sharing.
  • No smartphone app—no dead battery.
  • Overviews and statistics that show how much you work.

Privacy & security

Where is my data stored?

Your data is stored in a secured database on servers in the European Union. That means strict GDPR rules apply and everything stays in the EU. Working times or personal data are not shared with third-party vendors.

Is my data tracked or analysed?

No. Punchero does not use tracking cookies, analytics tools, or external trackers. Your working times stay private—only you can access them. Stored data is used solely for your personal time tracking.

Can I delete my data?

Yes. You can request deletion of all your data at any time. If your account is inactive for a long time (e.g. after a year), data is removed automatically. Full contact details are in the Imprint.

Automation & guides

How can I automate Punchero?

Punchero is controlled via URL calls. You get two handy links in your personal area—one to clock in and one to clock out. You can plug them into automated workflows however you like: OS scripts, schedulers, or smart-home systems (e.g. when you turn on your office ceiling light).

Below you will find detailed guides for different platforms on how to integrate these links.

Windows: automation with a single setup file (easy)

Goal: Your Windows PC should clock in automatically at startup and clock out when shutting down. Set it up once—after that it runs on its own.

This is the easiest route: one setup file creates folders, scripts, and scheduled tasks for you.

Step 1: create the file

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Paste the code below in full.
  3. Replace DEIN_HASH with your personal token (from your Punchero area).
  4. Save as punchero-setup.bat. Important: choose “All files” as the file type when saving.

Step 2: setup code (paste in full)

@echo off
echo Creating Punchero automation...

set INSTALL_DIR=C:\Punchero
mkdir %INSTALL_DIR%

echo Creating check-in script...
echo $uri = "https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkin^&lang=en^&token=DEIN_HASH" > %INSTALL_DIR%\checkin.ps1
echo Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $uri -UseBasicParsing ^| Out-Null >> %INSTALL_DIR%\checkin.ps1

echo Creating check-out script...
echo $uri = "https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkout^&lang=en^&token=DEIN_HASH" > %INSTALL_DIR%\checkout.ps1
echo Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $uri -UseBasicParsing ^| Out-Null >> %INSTALL_DIR%\checkout.ps1

echo Creating check-in task (at log on)...
schtasks /create /tn "Punchero Check-in" /tr "powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File C:\Punchero\checkin.ps1" /sc onlogon /rl highest /f

echo Creating check-out task (at shutdown)...
schtasks /create /tn "Punchero Check-out" /tr "powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File C:\Punchero\checkout.ps1" /sc onstart /rl highest /f

echo.
echo Done! Please restart your computer.
pause

Step 3: run the file

  1. Right-click punchero-setup.bat → “Run as administrator”.
  2. Restart the computer.

Done. The scripts run silently in the background. You can adjust or delete the tasks in Task Scheduler anytime.

Note: Windows does not always allow enough time during shutdown for a reliable clock-out. If checkout on shutdown fails, use a “On log-off” task instead or clock out manually via a shortcut.

Windows: step-by-step automation (advanced)

For advanced users: set up folders, scripts, and Task Scheduler manually—step by step.

1. Create a folder

Create the folder C:\Punchero.

2. Create the check-in script

File: C:\Punchero\checkin.ps1

Contents:

$uri = "https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkin&lang=en&token=DEIN_HASH"
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $uri -UseBasicParsing | Out-Null

Replace DEIN_HASH with your token (from your Punchero area).

3. Create the check-out script

File: C:\Punchero\checkout.ps1

Contents:

$uri = "https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkout&lang=en&token=DEIN_HASH"
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $uri -UseBasicParsing | Out-Null

Replace DEIN_HASH with your token (from your Punchero area).

4. Open Task Scheduler

  1. Press the Windows key, type “Task Scheduler”, and open it.

5. Create the check-in task

  1. “Create task” (or “Create basic task”).
  2. Name: Punchero Check-in
  3. Trigger: “At log on”
  4. Action: “Start a program”
  5. Program: powershell.exe
  6. Arguments: -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File "C:\Punchero\checkin.ps1"
  7. Save.

6. Create the check-out task

  1. Create another task.
  2. Name: Punchero Check-out
  3. Trigger: “On shutdown” (or “On an event” → Windows log → System → Event ID 1074)
  4. Action: “Start a program”
  5. Program: powershell.exe
  6. Arguments: -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File "C:\Punchero\checkout.ps1"
  7. Save.

Notes: your personal token is required. Internet must be available at startup/shutdown. Scripts run hidden. You can delete tasks in Task Scheduler anytime.

Technical note: shutdown often allows little time. If checkout on shutdown is unreliable, use “On log off” instead or a manual “end of day” shortcut on the desktop.

Windows: desktop shortcuts

Create a check-in shortcut:

  1. Right-click the desktop → New → Shortcut
  2. Target: cmd.exe /c start "" "https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkin&lang=en&token=DEIN_HASH"
  3. Name: e.g. “Punchero – Check-in”
  4. Optional: change the icon (Properties → Change icon)

Create a check-out shortcut:

  1. Same steps, but with action=checkout
  2. Name: e.g. “Punchero – Check-out”

You can now click the shortcuts to clock in or out.

macOS: automation

Check-in on Mac startup:

  1. Open Automator (in Applications)
  2. Choose “Application” as the document type
  3. Add the action “Run Shell Script”
  4. Enter: curl -s "https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkin&lang=en&token=DEIN_HASH"
  5. Save as: Punchero Check-in.app
  6. Open System Settings → Users & Groups → Login Items
  7. Add the app you created

Alternative: LaunchAgent (advanced)

Create a file ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.punchero.checkin.plist:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>Label</key>
    <string>com.punchero.checkin</string>
    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
    <array>
        <string>/usr/bin/curl</string>
        <string>-s</string>
        <string>https://www.punchero.com/track.php?action=checkin&lang=en&token=DEIN_HASH</string>
    </array>
    <key>RunAtLoad</key>
    <true/>
</dict>
</plist>

Then: launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.punchero.checkin.plist

Mobile: no app install required

iOS (iPhone/iPad):

  1. Open the Punchero site in Safari
  2. Go to the track page and copy your URL links
  3. Tap the Share icon (square with arrow)
  4. Choose “Add to Home Screen”
  5. Name the shortcut, e.g. “Check-in”
  6. You now have an icon on the home screen—one tap is enough.

Android:

  1. Open the Punchero site in Chrome
  2. Go to the track page
  3. Open the menu (three dots, top right)
  4. Choose “Add to Home screen”
  5. Name the shortcut
  6. Done—you now have an app-like shortcut

Tip: create separate shortcuts for check-in and check-out so both are one tap away.