Remote Timer — Remote-Controlled Shared Countdown
Operator controls the timer backstage. Audience sees a live full-screen countdown on stage. Perfect for presentations, workshops, and conferences.
New session
Session link is valid for 3 days · Active sessions run up to 12 hours · No account required
Join a session
Enter the 6-character code your host shared with you.
Two views, one session
Every session has an Operator view (backstage) and a Stage view (full-screen for your display or projector). The operator can start, pause, reset, and advance through agenda segments without the audience ever seeing the control panel. The stage view shows a large color-coded countdown that turns amber when 20% of time remains and red with 10 seconds left — so the presenter always knows when they're running out of time without looking at their phone.
How the sync works
Rather than sending a tick every second (which would flood the connection and still drift), the operator broadcasts a single event: “started at timestamp T with N seconds remaining.” Every viewer independently counts down from that anchor. The result is sub-second accuracy with almost zero network load — and late joiners get the current state the moment they open the link.
Session lifetime
The session link stays valid for 3 days, so you can create it the day before your event. Once the timer is started for the first time, the session runs for up to 12 hours — more than enough for a full-day workshop. After that, the session is automatically cleaned up. No data is retained.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the remote-controlled timer work?
You create a session and get two links: an operator link (for backstage control) and a stage link (full-screen display for your audience or presenter). The operator can start, pause, and advance segments; the stage view updates in real time via WebSockets. No install needed — just open a URL.
What are segments?
Segments are named time blocks in your agenda. You set a name (e.g. "Opening keynote", "Q&A") and a duration for each. The operator advances through them manually. This is useful for conferences, workshops, or any multi-part event where the agenda is known in advance.
Can I use it as a simple single countdown?
Yes. Just leave it as one segment — no agenda needed. The creation form starts with a single time block. Click "Add segment" only if you want an agenda.
How accurate is the sync?
Typically within 1–2 seconds. The timer broadcasts a single anchor timestamp when the operator presses Start. Each viewer independently computes elapsed time from that anchor, so drift equals network latency — usually 50–200 ms.
What is a co-host?
A co-host has the same operator controls as the host — start, pause, and advance. Enable co-host when creating a session to get a separate invite link. Useful when the person controlling the timer (backstage) is not the same as the person who set it up.
How long does a session last?
The session link is valid for up to 3 days before the first start — so you can set it up in advance. Once started, the session stays active for up to 12 hours. Sessions are automatically cleaned up after expiry; nothing is stored long-term.
Is any personal data stored?
Only the timer state (segment names, durations, running/paused) — no names, emails, or personal data. Sessions auto-delete after expiry.
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