GUIDE

Timer / countdown

A timer is a display you can add to OBS or StreamLabs as a browser source. It can count up like a stopwatch or count down like a countdown timer. You set it up in the Shiny's Streaming Services dashboard, pick the mode you want, customize the layout, copy the Display URL into OBS, and then you can start, pause, reset, or adjust the timer using Nightbot, a Stream Deck, or any tool that can open a URL.

Countdown vs stopwatch

• Countdown - counts down from a duration you set. At zero it stops.
• Stopwatch - counts up from zero until you pause or reset.

You can switch modes in the dashboard settings. When you save, the timer pauses so the display stays the same.

For countdowns, you can turn on the option to play a sound when the timer reaches zero and pick from built-in alarms, from soft tones to louder fanfares. You can preview the sound in the dashboard. The Display URL will play the sound you saved, but there are no on-screen controls. In OBS, make sure to unmute the Browser Source. You might also want to use the 'Control audio via OBS' option. If you are testing in a regular Chrome tab and the chime does not play, click the page once if autoplay is blocked. After that, the sound should play normally in the same tab.

Named timer vs current

• Named / specific - targets one timer by id. Best when you keep several (challenge timer, break timer, etc.).
• Current - targets whichever timer is marked “Use this as the current timer.” Ideal if you want one OBS URL and one set of Nightbot commands.

Display format

Add the Time token in the display editor. OBS will then show a live M:SS or H:MM:SS value. You can also set conditions to show text only while the timer is running, paused, at zero, or not at zero.

Chat responses

Custom responses are what bots or chat will see after an API call. Use {{time}} to insert the displayed time. Range responses use the displayed seconds (remaining for countdown, or elapsed for stopwatch).

Controlling the timer

In the dashboard instructions panel, you can copy:

• Start / Pause / Reset - run, freeze, or clear
• Set / Add / Remove - Use these to set an exact duration (or a starting point for the stopwatch), or to add or subtract seconds. In Nightbot, $(1) is the argument after the command. For Direct URLs, replace <seconds> with your value.

Nightbot commands are made with -ul=moderator, so only moderators (and you) can use them.