TallyHo's 147-line llms.txt shows what thorough AI preparation looks like

# TallyHo - Beautifully Simple Time Tracking for Freelancers

> TallyHo is a modern, beautifully simple time tracking and project management application built specifically for freelancers, solo contractors, and agencies who need precise time tracking with seamless client and project organisation.

## The Story Behind TallyHo

TallyHo was created by Steve Leggat, a freelancer with 25 years of experience in the field. After decades of struggling with complex, team-focused time tracking solutions that didn't fit the freelance workflow, Steve built TallyHo as a personal solution. What started as a tool for his own freelance work has evolved into a polished application designed to solve the real problems that solo freelancers face daily.

TallyHo is very much a one-person operation, built by someone who understands the freelance experience intimately. Steve continues to use TallyHo daily for his own work, ensuring the tool evolves to meet real-world freelance needs rather than hypothetical business requirements.

## Core Philosophy

**"You've got invoicing sorted. Now sort out everything that happens before that."**

TallyHo fills the crucial gap between finishing your work and sending invoices. Most freelancers have their invoicing sorted — whether it's Hnry, Xero, or whatever works for them. But they struggle with the step that comes before: tracking what work they've actually done. TallyHo makes time tracking so effortless that you'll never again scramble to remember hours when it's time to invoice.

## Key Design Goals

- **Effortless**: No complex setup or learning curve - start tracking immediately
- **Insightful**: Understand which clients and projects are actually profitable  
- **Compatible**: Works with whatever invoicing system you already use
- **Focused**: Built specifically for solo freelancers, not teams or enterprise
- **Intuitive**: Natural language entry and smart organisation
- **Reliable**: Built by someone who depends on it daily

## Core Features

### Hierarchical Project Organisation
- **Three-tier structure**: Client > Project > Phase
- Organize work exactly how you think about it
- Flexible project phases for detailed task breakdown
- Smart filtering and searching across all levels

### Intelligent Time Tracking
- **Natural language entry**: "2h apple website wireframes" or "30m hnry integration"
- **Automatic rate calculation** at user, client, or project level
- **Multi-currency support** for international clients

### Advanced Project Management
- **Task organisation** within project phases
- **Rate inheritance**: Set rates at user level (default), client level (overrides user), or project level (most specific)
- **Project status tracking** and phase completion
- **Search and filtering** across all clients, projects, and tasks
- **Date range filtering** for focused time analysis

### Invoicing Preparation
- **Time-based invoicing** with automatic calculations
- **Detailed time breakdowns** showing exactly what work was done
- **Multiple timesheet formats**
- **Integration-ready**: Works seamlessly with existing invoicing workflows
- **Export capabilities** for external accounting systems

### Analytics & Insights
- **Profitability analysis** by client and project
- **Time tracking patterns** and productivity insights  
- **Client value assessment** to identify most profitable relationships
- **Project performance metrics** for better estimation
- **Revenue forecasting** based on tracked time patterns

### Modern Technical Foundation
- **Built with SvelteKit and Svelte 5** using modern runes syntax
- **Responsive design** works perfectly on desktop, tablet, and mobile
- **PWA capabilities**: Add to iPhone homescreen for native app experience
- **Real-time updates** and optimistic UI for smooth interactions
- **Secure authentication** with proper session management
- **Database-backed** with reliable data persistence

## Who TallyHo Is For

### Primary Users
- **Solo freelancers** in design, development, consulting, and creative fields
- **Contractors** who bill by the hour and need accurate time records
- **Service providers** who struggle with existing complex time tracking tools

### Perfect For Those Who
- Have invoicing sorted but struggle with time tracking
- Lose money because they forget to track time or underestimate hours
- Need to understand which clients and projects are actually profitable
- Want something simple that "just works" without complex setup
- Prefer tools built by practitioners who understand the real challenges

## Key Use Cases

### Daily Workflow
1. **Start your day**: See what's active, what's coming up
2. **Track naturally**: "2h client presentation prep"
3. **Organize automatically**: Tasks flow into proper client/project structure
4. **Review insights**: Understand where your time actually goes
5. **Generate timesheets**: Export or reference tracked time for billing

### Client Management
- Organize all work by client for clear boundaries
- Set client-specific rates that automatically apply to all projects
- Track profitability per client to make better business decisions
- Maintain professional time records for client reporting

### Project Breakdown
- Divide complex projects into manageable phases
- Track time against specific deliverables and milestones
- Understand which phases take longer than estimated