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Turn a work request in Box comments into a timer

When a new file comment asks you to take action, Notis can start the matching DeskTime project task.

Trigger

New File Comment Added

Triggers when a new comment is added to a file in Box. This trigger monitors a specific Box file and fires when new comments are detected.

Action

Start Project Task

Tool to start tracking time for a specified project and optional task. use when you need to begin timing work on a project and optionally tag a task.

Why this helps

A request in a document comment gets buried while you switch apps to start tracking the work.

  • Keep a work request and its timer closer together.
  • Use the comment and file context to identify the relevant project task.
  • Avoid starting a timer when the comment does not clearly request work.

Setup

Build it in a few focused steps.

  • 1Connect Box and DeskTime once in the Notis portal.
  • 2Create an automation in Automations, then choose New Automation.
  • 3Tell Notis to start the matching DeskTime project task only when a new file comment clearly requests work.
  • 4Pick the New File Comment Added trigger and choose where run reports go.
  • 5Test with one real comment that requests work and review the selected DeskTime task.

Questions about this workflow

Will every new comment start tracking?

Use the prompt to require a clear request for work before starting a timer. Comments that are only informational should not cause a tracking action.

Can Notis create a missing DeskTime project?

This workflow uses the start task action, which starts tracking on a specified project and optional task. It does not create a project.

When this happens · Trigger

Do this · Action

Supported Triggers and Actions

Notis builds workflows that link Box to Desktime. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.

Box triggers

Desktime actions

Recurring trigger

Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.

TriggerScheduled

Create Project with Optional Task

Tool to create a new project with an optional initial task. use when you need to set up a new desktime project programmatically.

ActionInstant

Webhook trigger

Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.

TriggerInstant

Get Account Details

Tool to retrieve detailed information about the authenticated user's company account. use after confirming the api key is valid to fetch company name, work settings, account timezone, and timestamp.

ActionInstant

Collaboration Details Changed

Triggers when a collaboration's details change (e.g., role, status, expiration). This trigger monitors a specific collaboration and detects when any meaningful field changes, such as role, status, expiration date, access type, or acknowledgment status.

TriggerPolling

Get All Company Employees

Tool to list all employees in the company, including their roles and statuses. use after confirming valid credentials to fetch the organization’s roster.

ActionInstant

Comment Changed

Triggers when a comment's content or details change in Box. This trigger monitors a specific Box comment and detects when any meaningful field changes, such as message text edits, tagged message changes, or modification timestamp updates.

TriggerPolling

Get Employee Data

Tool to fetch data for all employees within the company. use after verifying the api key is valid.

ActionInstant

New File Comment Added

Triggers when a new comment is added to a file in Box. This trigger monitors a specific Box file and fires when new comments are detected.

TriggerPolling

Get Employee Projects

Tool to retrieve information about projects assigned to employees, including project names, durations, and statuses. use when you need to fetch per-employee project tracking data for a specific date.

ActionInstant

File Metadata Changed

Triggers when a file's metadata or properties change in Box. This trigger monitors a specific Box file and fires when changes are detected in key fields like name, description, size, modification time, parent folder, or status.

TriggerPolling

Get Employee Projects and Apps

Tool to retrieve an employee's tracked projects and application usage. use when you need combined project/app time data for a given employee and date (defaults to current user and today). example: "get projects and apps for employee 711867 on 2025-07-28."

ActionInstant

File Shared Link Changed

Triggers when a file's shared link settings change in Box. This trigger monitors a specific Box file's shared link and fires when changes are detected in the shared link configuration, such as access level, permissions, password protection, expiration date, or vanity URL.

TriggerPolling

Get Projects List

Tool to retrieve all active projects for the company, including related tasks. use when you need projects overview after authentication.

ActionInstant

New File Version Uploaded

Triggers when a new file version is uploaded to a file in Box. This trigger monitors a specific Box file and fires when new versions are detected.

TriggerPolling

Ping DeskTime API

Tool to check the api's availability and confirm the service is operational. use when you need to verify that the desktime api is reachable and responsive.

ActionInstant

Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.

Box and Desktime, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.

When this happens · Trigger

Do this · Action

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