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Countdown Timer

Control a countdown timer variable from an alert. Start it, pause it, reset it, or add/remove time - all in response to stream events. The timer's current value is displayed live in your stream overlay and is accessible as a placeholder in other actions.

What You Need​

  • A Countdown variable created in TipLink's Variables page (see Variables)
  • Optionally: the countdown variable added as a widget to a TipLink Overlay to display it on stream

Quick Start​

  1. Go to Variables and create a new Countdown variable. Set the initial duration and give it a name.
  2. (Optional) Add the countdown variable as a widget in one of your overlays.
  3. Create or edit an alert.
  4. Click Add Action and select Countdown Timer.
  5. Choose the Countdown Timer variable from the dropdown.
  6. Choose the Action (e.g. Start, Add Time).
  7. Save and test.

Configuration Options​

Countdown Timer​

SettingDescription
Countdown TimerThe countdown variable to control. All countdown-type variables appear in this dropdown.

Action​

ValueWhat It Does
StartStarts the countdown from its current value. If already running, has no effect.
PauseFreezes the countdown at its current value.
ResumeResumes a paused countdown from where it left off.
Stop (Set to 0)Immediately sets the countdown to zero and stops it.
Add TimeAdds a specified number of seconds to the current countdown value.
Remove TimeSubtracts a specified number of seconds from the current countdown value.
Reset to Initial ValueResets the countdown to the duration set when the variable was created, and stops it.

Seconds (Add Time / Remove Time only)​

SettingDescriptionDefault
SecondsThe number of seconds to add or remove. Supports placeholder syntax.60

This field is only visible when the Action is set to Add Time or Remove Time. You can use event data here - for example, {{ amount }} to add seconds equal to the donation amount.

Placeholder Access​

Once a countdown variable is running, you can use it in any action's text fields using:

PlaceholderDescription
{{ my_countdown.value }}The current countdown value in seconds
{{ my_countdown.formatted }}The current countdown in MM:SS format (e.g. 02:45)

Replace my_countdown with the name of your countdown variable (as set in the Variables page).

Example Use Cases​

Donation Hype Timer​

Each donation adds 30 seconds to a live countdown on your overlay:

  • Alert: Donation received
  • Action: Countdown Timer → Add Time → 30 seconds

Start the Timer on Stream Start​

  • Alert: OBS Stream Started event
  • Action: Countdown Timer → Start

Reset on Goal Complete​

  • Alert: Goal Completed event
  • Action: Countdown Timer → Reset to Initial Value

Viewer-Controlled Time​

Use the donation amount to add time dynamically:

  • Alert: Donation received
  • Action: Countdown Timer → Add Time → Seconds: {{ amount }}

This adds exactly as many seconds as the viewer donated dollars (e.g. a $10 donation adds 10 seconds).

Tips​

  • Combine with TipLink Countdown trigger - create an alert that fires when the countdown completes (using the TipLink Countdowns trigger) to run actions when time runs out.
  • Overlay display - add the countdown as a widget in your overlay editor to display the live value on stream.
  • Multiple countdown timers - you can create multiple countdown variables and control them independently from different alerts.
  • Stop vs. Reset - Stop sets the value to zero. Reset restores the original configured duration. Use Reset if you plan to start the countdown again from the top.