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Using the Browser Extension

Once installed, the Porcia browser extension automatically tracks your SaaS usage in the background. This guide covers how to use the extension effectively and manage your privacy settings.

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Extension Overview

The Porcia extension appears as an icon in your browser toolbar:

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Daily Usage

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Automatic Tracking

The extension works automatically in the background:

1. Visit a SaaS application (e.g., slack.com, salesforce.com)
2. Extension detects the domain and starts tracking
3. Time is recorded while you’re actively using the tab
4. Data syncs to Porcia every 15 minutes
5. View insights in your Porcia dashboard

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Viewing Your Usage

Click the extension icon to see your usage summary: Today’s Activity:

• Total time on SaaS applications
• Number of applications used
• Most used application
• Active vs idle time

This Week:

• Weekly usage trends
• Top 5 applications
• Usage comparison to last week
• Total applications discovered

Quick Actions:

• Pause/resume tracking
• View full dashboard
• Manage settings
• Report an issue

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Extension Settings

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Accessing Settings

1. Click the Porcia extension icon
2. Click the Settings gear icon
3. Configure your preferences

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Tracking Control

Pause Tracking

• Temporarily stop all tracking
• Useful for personal browsing during work hours
• Resume anytime with one click

Auto-Pause Schedule

• Set specific hours to pause tracking
• Example: Pause from 6 PM to 9 AM
• Pause on weekends automatically

Idle Detection

• Configure idle time threshold (default: 5 minutes)
• Idle time is not counted as active usage
• Helps ensure accurate usage data

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Domain Management

Exclude Domains Add domains you never want tracked:

1. Go to Settings → Excluded Domains
2. Click Add Domain
3. Enter domain (e.g., personal-project.com)
4. Click Save

Common exclusions:

• Personal projects
• Side businesses
• Non-work related tools
• Internal company tools (if desired)

Include Custom Domains Add business domains not in Porcia’s database:

1. Go to Settings → Custom Domains
2. Click Add Domain
3. Enter domain and category
4. Click Save

View Tracked Domains See all currently tracked domains:

• Active tracking status
• Category (Communication, Productivity, etc.)
• Total time spent
• Last accessed date

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Privacy Settings

Incognito Mode

• Enable/disable tracking in private browsing
• Default: Disabled (respects privacy)
• Can be enabled if needed for work

Data Retention

• Set how long local data is kept
• Options: 7 days, 30 days, 90 days
• Older data is automatically deleted

Anonymous Mode

• Hide your identity in team analytics
• Your usage is tracked but not attributed to you
• Useful for privacy-conscious users

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Sync Settings

Sync Frequency

• How often data syncs to Porcia
• Options: Every 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour
• More frequent = more real-time data

Offline Mode

• Continue tracking when offline
• Data syncs when connection restored
• Useful for travel or unreliable connections

Bandwidth Optimization

• Reduce data usage for limited connections
• Syncs less frequently
• Compresses data before sending

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Usage Scenarios

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Scenario 1: Daily Work Tracking

Goal: Track all work-related SaaS usage Setup:

1. Install extension and sign in
2. Leave tracking enabled during work hours
3. Set auto-pause for evenings and weekends
4. Review weekly usage in dashboard

Result: Accurate picture of which tools you actually use

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Scenario 2: Privacy-Conscious User

Goal: Track usage but maintain privacy Setup:

1. Enable anonymous mode
2. Exclude personal domains
3. Disable incognito tracking
4. Set short data retention (7 days)

Result: Usage tracked for optimization without compromising privacy

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Scenario 3: Remote Worker

Goal: Track usage across multiple locations Setup:

1. Enable offline mode
2. Set longer sync intervals
3. Use bandwidth optimization
4. Sync when on good connection

Result: Consistent tracking regardless of location

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Scenario 4: Team Lead

Goal: Understand team’s tool usage Setup:

1. Deploy extension to team
2. Encourage team to keep tracking enabled
3. Review team analytics in dashboard
4. Identify unused licenses

Result: Data-driven decisions about tool purchases

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Understanding Usage Data

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What Gets Tracked

Domain Information:

• Domain name (e.g., “slack.com”)
• Application category
• Time spent on domain
• Number of visits

Time Tracking:

• Active time (actively using the tab)
• Idle time (tab open but inactive)
• Total time (active + idle)
• Visit duration

Usage Patterns:

• Time of day usage
• Day of week patterns
• Frequency of access
• Session duration

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What Doesn’t Get Tracked

Never Tracked:

• ❌ Page URLs or paths
• ❌ Page content or text
• ❌ Form inputs or passwords
• ❌ Keystrokes or mouse movements
• ❌ Personal browsing
• ❌ Non-SaaS websites

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Viewing Usage in Dashboard

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Personal Usage Dashboard

Access your usage data in Porcia:

1. Go to Dashboard → My Usage
2. View usage statistics:
   • Total time on SaaS applications
   • Applications used this week/month
   • Usage trends over time
   • Most used applications

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Team Usage Analytics

If you’re a workspace admin:

1. Go to Dashboard → Team Analytics
2. View team-wide usage:
   • Most used applications across team
   • Underutilized applications
   • Usage by team member (if not anonymous)
   • License optimization opportunities

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Usage Reports

Generate usage reports: Personal Report:

• Your usage over time
• Application breakdown
• Productivity insights
• Export to CSV

Team Report:

• Team usage summary
• Application adoption rates
• License utilization
• Cost optimization opportunities

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Troubleshooting

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Extension Not Tracking

Check tracking status:

1. Click extension icon
2. Verify tracking is not paused
3. Check if domain is excluded
4. Ensure you’re signed in

Verify domain is recognized:

1. Check if domain is a known SaaS application
2. Add as custom domain if needed
3. Report unknown SaaS domains to support

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Data Not Syncing

Check sync status:

1. Click extension icon
2. View last sync time
3. Check internet connection
4. Try manual sync

Force sync:

1. Go to Settings
2. Click Sync Now
3. Wait for confirmation
4. Check dashboard for updated data

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High Memory Usage

Optimize extension:

1. Reduce sync frequency
2. Shorten data retention period
3. Clear local cache
4. Restart browser

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Privacy Concerns

Review what’s tracked:

1. Go to Settings → Tracked Domains
2. Review list of tracked domains
3. Exclude any unwanted domains
4. Enable anonymous mode if desired

Delete tracked data:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy
2. Click Clear Local Data
3. Confirm deletion
4. Contact support to delete server data

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Best Practices

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For Individual Users

1. Review usage weekly - Check which tools you actually use
2. Exclude personal domains - Keep work and personal separate
3. Use auto-pause - Automatically pause during personal time
4. Report unknown domains - Help improve Porcia’s database

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For Team Admins

1. Communicate clearly - Explain what’s tracked and why
2. Respect privacy - Allow anonymous mode
3. Review regularly - Check team usage monthly
4. Act on insights - Cancel unused licenses, consolidate tools

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For Privacy-Conscious Users

1. Enable anonymous mode - Hide your identity in team analytics
2. Exclude sensitive domains - Add to exclusion list
3. Short data retention - Keep only recent data
4. Review settings regularly - Ensure privacy preferences are maintained

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Extension Updates

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Automatic Updates

The extension updates automatically:

• Chrome Web Store pushes updates
• Extension updates in background
• No action required from you
• Check version in Settings

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Update Notifications

You’ll be notified of major updates:

• New features
• Important bug fixes
• Privacy policy changes
• Breaking changes

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Manual Update Check

Force check for updates:

1. Go to chrome://extensions/
2. Enable Developer mode
3. Click Update extensions
4. Wait for update to complete

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Uninstalling the Extension

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Temporary Disable

To temporarily disable without uninstalling:

1. Go to chrome://extensions/
2. Find Porcia extension
3. Toggle off the switch
4. Re-enable when ready

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Permanent Removal

To completely remove the extension:

1. Go to chrome://extensions/
2. Find Porcia extension
3. Click Remove
4. Confirm removal

Before uninstalling:

• Export your usage data if needed
• Clear local data in settings
• Contact support to delete server data (if desired)

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Next Steps