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Observability & Analytics

Wakapi

Mark

• 2 min read

Wakapi is a lightweight, open-source backend that implements the WakaTime API for tracking coding activity (projects, languages, editors, hosts). It lets existing WakaTime-compatible editor plugins report to a self-hosted endpoint so you keep full control over your activity data.

The project is written in Go, distributed under an MIT license, and provides quick-install options (one-line script, Docker) plus features like badges, weekly email reports, Prometheus metrics and multiple storage backends (SQLite by default, MySQL/Postgres for scale).

Use Cases

  • Privacy-conscious developers who want time-tracking without sending data to a third-party SaaS.
  • Hobbyists or single users running a small, low-cost VPS or home server to gather personal coding statistics.
  • Small teams that want a shared, private WakaTime-compatible endpoint using API keys rather than a hosted service.
  • Projects that embed contribution/activity badges or public profiles in READMEs or docs.
  • Operators who want to integrate time-tracking into their observability stack (Prometheus metrics) and maintain control over backups and retention.

Strengths

  • WakaTime API compatibility: reuse existing editor/IDE plugins with minimal reconfiguration.
  • Easy self-hosting: one-line installer or official Docker image for fast proof-of-concept and simple production deployments.
  • Privacy & ownership: all activity data lives on your infrastructure, removing third-party exposure.
  • Lightweight and efficient: Go implementation and small resource footprint make it suitable for inexpensive VPS or single-board computers.
  • Flexible storage: start with SQLite, migrate to MySQL/Postgres if you outgrow the default backend.
  • Observability and automation: Prometheus metrics, weekly email summaries, and admin utilities ease monitoring and maintenance.
  • Open-source (MIT): no vendor lock-in and ability to inspect or modify behavior; active community for fixes and contributions.

Limitations

  • Feature parity: Wakapi is a minimal WakaTime-compatible backend and lacks some advanced analytics, enterprise features, and premium dashboards of WakaTime’s hosted product.
  • No commercial SLA or dedicated support: troubleshooting happens via GitHub issues and community channels; plan for in-house operational effort for critical use.
  • Scaling considerations: the default SQLite setup is fine for single users or small installs; larger teams should use MySQL/Postgres and test migrations.
  • Maintenance burden: you are responsible for backups, upgrades, security patches and monitoring when self-hosting.
  • Occasional edge-case bugs: community reports show some migration quirks and API edge cases—expect to track upstream fixes for rarer problems.

Final Thoughts

  • Wakapi is a practical choice when you need WakaTime-compatible tracking with full data ownership and low infrastructure cost. It is especially well suited for individuals, hobbyists, and small teams.
  • Start small: try the quick-install or run the official Docker image to validate workflows. Example quick start: curl -L https://wakapi.dev/get | bash or run ghcr.io/muety/wakapi with a persistent volume.
  • Plan for production: move to Postgres/MySQL for multi-user deployments, enable Prometheus metrics, automate backups, and schedule upgrades/migrations during maintenance windows.
  • Choose hosted WakaTime instead if you require enterprise analytics, commercial SLAs, or want to avoid operational responsibilities.

References

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