Separate presence from a status message
A custom message explains your context. A presence indicator reports availability using the platform’s rules. In Slack, for example, changing status text does not change the green dot.
Decide what you need first. “Reachable until 18:00” may be useful as a message even when an availability routine is also running.
One person can have several sessions
Your browser, desktop app and phone can each contribute to presence. Teams explicitly combines sessions and gives some states priority over others.
That is why checking only the tool’s start button is insufficient. A successful request and a green dot visible to a colleague are separate observations.
Run a simple before-and-after check
Choose one workspace and note your starting state. Start a short session, check through a separate permitted account, then stop. Observe both the transition into your requested state and what happens at the end.
Allow for platform update delays. If the result differs, record the account, other open clients, selected status and any meeting in progress. Change one variable before testing again.
Choose local or cloud deliberately
A local browser routine, a mouse jiggler or a keep-awake tool such as caffeinate needs its computer to remain on: a jiggler stops when the lid closes and cannot keep Teams Available on a locked screen. An authorized cloud integration runs separately, but only if that specific platform connection is available and working; a Teams work account may first need administrator approval.
OnlineHours runs cloud connections for Slack, ClickUp and Microsoft Teams from its servers; Google Chat is still being prepared. Whichever you use, check the visible result yourself before relying on it.
Keep your status on your hours, laptop closed
OnlineHours sets Slack, Teams or ClickUp to online from its servers during the hours you choose, and stops outside them.
At your desk the timers rarely matter. OnlineHours covers the working hours you spend away from the keyboard.
One app, no card. Nothing is charged when it ends.
Common questions
Does a recent activity pulse prove I am online?
No. It confirms an action by the tool. Check the platform’s resulting presence separately.
Will one technique work in every work app?
Do not assume so. Test each platform and workspace separately; presence rules and supported connection methods differ.