Legacy desktop app: automatic tracking and predictable releases
Since 2024, we have supported development of a mature TimeCamp desktop app that runs in the background, logs apps, websites, and documents, and helps assign time to projects and timesheets. The priority is stable day-to-day operation and safe rollout of continuous improvements.
In this kind of product, value comes less from a flashy interface and more from predictable background execution, low regression rate, and user trust that tracking simply works every day.
Challenge
A system that could no longer keep up with growth
A legacy desktop app that captures user activity requires a different delivery model than a typical web product: every change affects background execution, synchronization, and the quality of data that ends up in timesheets.
Maintaining a background desktop app that continuously captures activity across apps, websites, and documents
Extending project, timesheet, and day-to-day workflow features without compromising stability
Introducing changes without regressions in critical automatic time-tracking flows
Solution
Architecture and implementation built for real operational pressure
We focused on controlled modernization of the riskiest areas, a tighter release process, and a pace of change that improves the product without destabilizing existing users.
Planned modernization of critical legacy desktop areas without slowing product delivery
Controlled release and regression testing process for the most important paths: tracking, projects, and timesheets
Effect (3 months after go-live vs previous 3 months): approx. 40% fewer post-release incidents and approx. 30% shorter bug fix time
Business outcome: A more stable desktop app for automatic time tracking, faster rollout of improvements, and safer evolution of core product features
Implementation process
From diagnosis to stable rollout
Delivery focused on safe work inside a legacy codebase, stability of a continuously running desktop app, and reducing regression risk with every next product change.
Audit of critical desktop flows
We identified the areas most exposed to regressions: activity tracking, synchronization, projects, and timesheets.
Modernization without stopping the product
We cleaned up critical legacy areas step by step, without risky full rewrites and without blocking ongoing delivery.
Release process and regression control
We introduced a more controlled release and regression-testing process for the functions that had to stay predictable on user machines.
Stabilization and continued product growth
After stabilizing the riskiest areas, we could extend the product more safely and reduce the number of post-release incidents.
Technologies
Stack selected for the scale of the problem
The technology choices here were driven by desktop stability, operating system integration, and safe evolution of legacy code without forcing a full rewrite.
If the project needs to move
without chaos, start with a conversation
In a short call, we figure out whether this is even the right kind of project for us, where the biggest risk sits, and what first move creates real progress without wasting time and budget.
Close to Berlin
185 km
We are located 185 km from Berlin, one of Europe’s key business and technology hubs. That makes in-person meetings easier and collaboration in international projects more efficient.
Close to Berlin
185 km
We are located 185 km from Berlin, one of Europe’s key business and technology hubs. That makes in-person meetings easier and collaboration in international projects more efficient.
