Question 1

What is Wakapi and how does it relate to WakaTime?

Accepted Answer

Wakapi is a self-hosted server that is API-compatible with WakaTime. You use the standard WakaTime plugin in your editor but point it at your Wakapi server instead of wakatime.com, so you get the same automatic coding-time tracking and dashboards while all your activity data stays on your own infras…

Question 2

How do I connect my editor to Wakapi?

Accepted Answer

Install the WakaTime plugin for your editor, then edit ~/.wakatime.cfg and set api_url to http://your-server-ip:3056/api along with the api_key from your Wakapi settings page. The /api suffix is required — omitting it is the most common setup mistake.

Question 3

Which port does Wakapi use?

Accepted Answer

This deployment maps host port 3056 to the container's internal port 3000, so you reach the dashboard at http://your-server-ip:3056 and editors post heartbeats to http://your-server-ip:3056/api. It must be reachable from every machine you code on.

Question 4

Does Wakapi need a separate database?

Accepted Answer

No. Wakapi is a single Go binary and uses SQLite by default, stored in the ./data volume. That makes it very light to run and means ./data is your complete backup. It can be configured to use PostgreSQL or MySQL instead if you prefer, but that isn't necessary for personal use.

Question 5

Are my project and file names sent to the server?

Accepted Answer

Yes — heartbeats include project names, file names, language, and editor. That is exactly why self-hosting matters: with WakaTime's hosted service that record goes to a third party, which is often unacceptable for client or NDA work.

👨‍💻 Setup Wakapi — Self-Hosted Coding Time Tracker

📦 Resources & Setup Scripts

Quick Install:

Tutorial Steps

1 Download the Script

2 Make it Executable

3 Run the Installer

4 Register and Connect Your Editor

Ports Used

Overview

Why Use It

When You Need It

Who Should Use It

Real Use Cases

Main Features

How to Use After Installation

Security Best Practices

Ports and Firewall Notes

Backup and Maintenance

Common Mistakes

Troubleshooting

Alternatives

When Not to Use It

PrismaTechWork Professional Help

Frequently Asked Questions