Reclaim AI Setup & Installation Guide: Step-by-Step for 2026
When Clockwise shut down permanently on March 27, 2026, thousands of professionals and freelancers found themselves searching for a replacement calendar automation tool. Reclaim AI emerged as the strongest alternative, and the two companies even partnered to offer price matching for migrating Clockwise users.
Reclaim AI is an intelligent calendar assistant that works with Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar to automatically schedule priorities around existing commitments. The tool defends time for focused work, personal routines, and key meetings while adapting dynamically when schedules shift.
This guide provides a complete walkthrough of the Reclaim AI setup process for 2026. No fluff. No first-person storytelling. Just clear, actionable instructions.
What Is Reclaim AI? Overview
Reclaim AI solves a specific problem: calendars naturally fill up with whatever is loudest or most recent. Meeting invites, urgent requests, and other people’s priorities consume available time. Actual focused work gets squeezed into whatever time remains, which is rarely enough.
Reclaim fixes this by understanding user preferences and goals. The tool automatically defends time for deep work, personal routines, and important meetings. When conflicts arise or schedules shift, Reclaim adapts dynamically.
In 2026, Reclaim has become the go-to solution for freelancers, consultants, and remote workers who want calendar control without manual management.
Key capabilities include:
- Automated time blocking for habits and tasks
- Smart meeting scheduling links
- Integration with task managers like Todoist, Asana, ClickUp, Jira, and Linear
- Zapier connectivity for custom automation
- Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar support
System Requirements
Reclaim is a desktop-first tool. All configuration occurs through a web browser on a laptop or desktop computer.
Requirements:
- A Google Calendar account (personal or Google Workspace). Outlook support is available but more limited.
- Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser
- 15 to 20 minutes for initial setup
- A rough understanding of weekly recurring commitments
Pricing Tiers (2026):
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite (Free) | $0 | One calendar connection, up to 3 habits, basic task scheduling |
| Starter | 8–10 per month | Multiple calendar sync, unlimited habits, advanced scheduling links |
| Pro | 15–18 per month | Team features, analytics, priority support |
Most freelancers can start with the free Lite plan and upgrade later if needed.
Step 1: Sign Up and Connect Your Calendar
Navigate to reclaim.ai and click the “Get Started Free” button. Sign in using a Google account.
Reclaim requests permission to read and write calendar events. Both permissions are necessary for full functionality. The tool needs read access to understand existing availability and write access to create and move scheduled time blocks.
Once connected, Reclaim imports all existing calendar events within seconds. The dashboard may appear empty initially. The following steps will populate it.
Note for corporate users: Companies using admin restrictions on third-party applications may need IT department approval to whitelist Reclaim, particularly for Google Workspace accounts.
Step 2: Set Working Hours
Navigate to Settings > Hours. Default working hours are set to 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time.
Critical settings to verify:
| Setting | Action |
|---|---|
| Timezone | Confirm correct timezone. Reclaim sometimes defaults to US Eastern time. |
| Working hours | Set realistic availability windows. Do not claim 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM unless actually available those hours. |
| Daily variations | Set different hours for different days if schedule varies (early Fridays, compressed weeks, etc.). |
| Personal Hours | Set evenings and weekends. This tells Reclaim where personal habits belong versus work tasks. |
Being honest about availability is essential. Reclaim will schedule tasks at 7:00 AM if the calendar claims availability at that time.
Step 3: Configure Calendar Sync (Multiple Calendars)
Users with both personal and work Google Calendars should configure sync settings.
Navigate to Settings > Calendar Sync. This controls how Reclaim handles visibility between connected calendars.
Recommended configuration:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Personal event visibility | Sync as “Busy (no details)” to work calendar |
| Work event visibility | Sync as “Busy” to personal calendar |
| Event status | Keep as “Busy” unless specific reason to mark otherwise |
Proper sync configuration protects privacy while maintaining accurate availability across all calendars.
Step 4: Install Reclaim as a Desktop Application (Optional)
Reclaim functions in a browser but can be installed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for dedicated access.
Google Chrome installation:
- Launch Chrome and navigate to Reclaim.ai
- Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner
- Select “Cast, Save, and Share” then “Install Reclaim”
- Enter “Reclaim.ai” as the shortcut name
- Ensure “Open as window” is checked
- Click “Create”
Safari installation:
- Launch Safari and navigate to Reclaim.ai
- Click “File” in the top menu bar
- Select “Add to Dock”
- Enter “Reclaim.ai” as the shortcut name
- Click “Add”
The PWA installation turns Reclaim into a standalone application that can be accessed without keeping a browser tab open.
Step 5: Create Habits
Habits are recurring time blocks that Reclaim schedules and defend automatically. They flex around meetings but consistently find placement in the weekly calendar.
Click Habits in the left sidebar, then “Create Habit.”
Recommended starter habits:
| Habit | Duration | Ideal Time | Window | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch Break | 45 minutes | 12:30 PM | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Weekdays |
| Focus Time | 2 hours | 9:30 AM | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Weekdays |
| Email and Admin | 30 minutes | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Weekdays |
| Weekly Planning | 30 minutes | Monday 9:00 AM | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Once weekly |
Habit configuration tips:
- Set minimum and ideal durations. Reclaim attempts are ideal but should be kept to a minimum when the calendar is busy.
- Assign priority levels carefully. High-priority habits are harder to move or shrink.
- Keep only one or two habits as high-priority. If everything is high priority, nothing is.
- Lunch should typically be a high priority. Email should be low priority.
Step 6: Add Tasks
Tasks differ from habits. Tasks have specific due dates and estimated durations. Reclaim finds time slots to complete them before deadlines.
Click Tasks > Create Task.
Required fields:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Specific description. “Write Q3 client proposal” not “Work stuff” |
| Duration estimate | Total hours required. Be realistic. |
| Due date | Actual completion deadline |
| Chunk size | Minimum block of time Reclaim should schedule (30 or 60 minutes recommended) |
| Priority | Critical, high, medium, or low |
Reclaim breaks larger tasks into chunks and distributes them across available calendar slots. A six-hour task due in five days might appear as three two-hour blocks across different mornings.
Getting started: Add 3-5 tasks initially. Observe how scheduling feels before adding more.
Integrations: Users of Todoist, Asana, ClickUp, Jira, or Linear can integrate directly with Reclaim, eliminating the need to create tasks manually.
Step 7: Set Up Smart Meeting Slots (Scheduling Links)
Scheduling links allow others to book time while respecting all existing Reclaim schedule constraints. This functions similarly to Calendly but with deeper calendar integration.
Navigate to Scheduling Links in the sidebar.
Configuration options:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Available hours | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays (protects morning focus and end-of-day admin) |
| Meeting durations | 15, 30, or 60 minutes |
| Buffer time | 15 minutes before or after meetings |
| Minimum notice | 24 hours (prevents same-day bookings) |
Once configured, share these links instead of negotiating meeting times over email. Reclaim never double-books over existing focus blocks or habits.
CRM integration: Users of Salesforce or HubSpot can leverage webhook integrations to automate workflows for booked meetings.
Step 8: Connect Reclaim to Zapier (Optional)
Zapier integration enables automated task creation from other applications.
Connection steps:
- Navigate to the Zapier Apps page
- Click “+ Add connection”
- Search for and select Reclaim AI
- Click “Add connection”
- Enter Reclaim AI API Key (found in Reclaim Developer settings)
- Click “Yes, Continue to Reclaim”
Once connected, Zapier actions can create tasks in Reclaim from other apps. Example automations include creating Reclaim tasks from starred Gmail emails or saved Pocket items.
Step 9: Configure Colour Coding and Visibility
Navigate to Settings > Calendar to control how Reclaim events appear in Google Calendar.
Recommended configuration:
| Event Type | Setting |
|---|---|
| Focus time blocks | “Busy” (prevents colleagues from booking over) |
| Personal habits | “Free” on work calendar |
| Tasks | Specific color for visual scanning |
Users can also toggle whether Reclaim events display real titles or generic labels, such as “Busy,” to others viewing the calendar.
First Week Setup Checklist
Do not configure everything on day one. Reclaim improves scheduling as it learns user preferences. Give the tool several days of data before judging results.
| Day | Actions |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Connect Google account, set working hours and timezone, create lunch and focus time habits |
| Day 2 | Add 5 to 10 important tasks with realistic time estimates |
| Day 3 | Set up one scheduling link for external meetings |
| Day 4 | Review Reclaim calendar arrangement. Move anything that feels wrong (tool learns from adjustments) |
| Day 5 | Connect task manager integration if used (Todoist, Asana, ClickUp, Jira, Linear) |
| Weekend | Add 1 to 2 personal habits (exercise, reading, meal preparation) |
| Day 7 | Review full upcoming week in Google Calendar and adjust habit priorities |
Spend five minutes at the start of each week reviewing Reclaim’s planned schedule. Events can be dragged and dropped in Google Calendar, and Reclaim adapts to changes rather than overriding them.
Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Setting working hours too wide | Be honest about actual availability. Reclaim uses the full window. |
| Setting every habit to high priority | Keep one or two habits at high priority. Let the rest flex. |
| Underestimating task durations | Report accurate durations. Reclaim cannot schedule enough time for underestimated tasks. |
| Skipping habit minimums | Without minimums, Reclaim can compress two-hour focus blocks down to 15 minutes. |
| Adding too many tasks immediately | Start small, build confidence, then scale up. |
| Forgetting timezone verification | Wrong timezone breaks every scheduled block. |
| Skipping weekly calendar review | Reclaim is smart but not psychic. Review planned schedule weekly. |
How Long Until Reclaim Works Effectively
Reclaim begins scheduling immediately after setup. However, the AI improves over the first one to two weeks as it learns user patterns.
Give the tool a full week before judging whether time slots feel right. Consistent use and small corrections—moving an event here, rescheduling a habit there—improve placement accuracy over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Reclaim work with Outlook or just Google Calendar?
Reclaim primarily supports Google Calendar and Google Workspace accounts. Outlook support remains in beta with limited functionality as of 2026. Users whose primary calendar is Outlook should check the Reclaim integrations page for the current status before signing up.
Is the free plan sufficient to get started?
Yes. The free Lite plan supports one calendar connection, up to three habits, and basic task scheduling. This is sufficient to follow the entire setup guide. The Starter plan (8–10 per month) is only necessary for multiple calendar syncing, unlimited habits, or advanced scheduling link features.
Can Reclaim be used on mobile devices?
No native mobile app exists for Reclaim in 2026. All setup and configuration occurs in a desktop browser. However, because Reclaim writes events directly to Google Calendar, scheduled blocks can be viewed and interacted with through the Google Calendar mobile application.
How is an API key obtained for Reclaim?
Navigate to Settings > Integrations > API Keys to generate an API key.
Enter a name for the key and set an expiration date.
Copy the key (format example: 123456789-abcd-12345678). This key is required for Zapier connections or other third-party integrations.
Is there an easy migration path from Clockwise?
Yes. Reclaim and Clockwise partnered to offer a smooth transition. Export Clockwise data as a .json file and import it directly into Reclaim under Settings > Clockwise Import. Reclaim also offers price matching for Clockwise customers through June 30, 2026.
Summary
Reclaim AI is a calendar automation tool that schedules habits, tasks, and meetings around existing commitments. Proper setup takes 15 to 20 minutes and requires an honest working-hour configuration, realistic task-duration estimates, and reasonable priority assignments.
The tool improves over one to two weeks as it learns user patterns. Weekly calendar reviews of 5 minutes help Reclaim adapt to changing priorities.
For freelancers and professionals losing hours to manual calendar management, Reclaim offers a structured alternative. The free Lite plan provides sufficient functionality to test the system before committing to a paid subscription.
Have questions about the Reclaim AI setup process? Leave a message below. Comments and questions help shape future guides.