# Tools & Integrations

This section covers command-line tools and integrations that enable deeper, programmatic access to Zipwire's functionality.

## Zipwire CLI (zw)

The Zipwire command-line interface is designed for **technical contractors and developers** who want to manage their time tracking, timesheets, and invoicing directly from the terminal.

Think of it like **Git for work** – instead of committing code changes, you're committing your time entries to your private journal, which automatically generates timesheets, handles approvals, and creates invoices.

### Why Use the CLI?

* **Automation**: Script your entire contractor workflow (track time → create timesheet → send for approval)
* **Integration**: Use it in CI/CD pipelines, cron jobs, or with coding agents
* **Flexibility**: Track time from anywhere, integrate with your existing tools
* **Machine-readable**: Structured output formats (JSON-style) for programmatic access
* **Agent-friendly**: Perfect for LLMs and coding agents to automate your workflow

Technical contractors and engineers often track their contract time by combining the CLI with their git history: ask a coding agent to track from a given start (e.g. "from 10:15 today") and it checks the time, runs `git log --since="today 10:15"` to see your commits, then uses `zw journal track` with those commit messages so your journal stays in sync with your actual work.

<figure><img src="/files/MDyUbVzoiSV9IQMiWe6H" alt="Technical contractors track contract time with the Zw CLI and git logs"><figcaption><p>How technical contractors and engineers track contract time: an AI assistant uses <code>date</code>, <code>git log --since="today 10:15"</code> to get your commits, then <code>zw journal track</code> with the commit messages and duration so your journal reflects your development work.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Core Capabilities

* **Time Tracking**: Log work entries to your private journal with descriptions and activity metadata
* **Activity Management**: Create, search, and organize activities (Company > Project > Task)
* **Timesheet Generation**: Automatically generate timesheets from journal entries
* **Workflow Management**: Create approval workflows and link activities
* **Configuration**: Manage settings, API tokens, and output preferences

### Get Started

Ready to automate your contractor workflow? Start with the [Getting Started guide](/tools-and-integrations/getting-started.md).

***

**Note**: This is a growing section. For detailed command documentation, use the built-in help system in the CLI itself: `zw --help`, `zw journal --help`, etc.


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