Documentation

Everything you need to know about StageTime.

Getting Started

Installation

Download the latest version from the Downloads page. On macOS, open the DMG and drag StageTime to your Applications folder. On Windows, run the installer and follow the prompts.

First Launch

When you open StageTime, you'll see two windows: the Display (the big fullscreen timer) and the Remote (the control panel). The display is what your speakers see. The remote is what you operate from.

Quick Start

Set a time using the + buttons on the remote, then press Start. The traffic light turns green and the countdown begins. At the wrap-up threshold it goes yellow. At zero it goes red.

Display Window

Overview

The display shows a large countdown alongside a traffic-light circle. Place it fullscreen on a secondary monitor, projector, or confidence monitor facing the stage.

Traffic Light

Green — timer running, plenty of time remaining.
Yellow — countdown entered the wrap-up zone.
Red — timer hit zero or is in overtime.
When "Flash at Zero" is on, the red light blinks at 500ms intervals.

Background Color

Toggle between black (default) and blue from the remote or API. Blue is useful for chroma-key compositing when you need to key the timer over a video feed.

Remote Control

Time Controls

Add or subtract time in increments of +/- 1 minute, +/- 5 minutes, +/- 10 minutes, and +/- 30 seconds. Press Clear to reset to 00:00.

Modes

Count Down — set a time and count down to zero.
Count Up — a stopwatch, or continues past zero if stop-at-zero is off.
Local Time — shows the current clock in 12- or 24-hour format.

Options

Wrap-Up Warning — the light turns yellow below this threshold.
Flash at Zero — red light blinks rapidly at zero.
Stop at Zero — freeze at 00:00 instead of counting into overtime.
Blue Background — switch display background for keying.
12/24-Hour — controls the clock format in local time mode.

Message Overlay

Type a short message and click Show Message to overlay it on the display. Click Retract to remove it. Messages can also be sent via the API or Companion.

Timer Presets

Saving a Preset

Set your desired time and wrap-up, type a name (up to 10 characters), and click Save. Up to 5 presets. They persist across restarts.

Loading a Preset

Click a preset to clear and load its time and wrap-up settings. Presets can also be loaded by slot number (1–5) via the API or Companion.

Bitfocus Companion

About the Module

StageTime includes a dedicated Bitfocus Companion module for controlling the timer from a Stream Deck or any Companion surface. The module is pending inclusion in the official Companion module list — in the meantime, you can install it manually.

Installing the Module

1. Download stagetime-companion.tgz from the Downloads page.
2. Extract the archive and copy the module folder into your Companion modules directory.
3. Restart Companion.
4. Go to the Connections tab and search for StageTime or Wake Media. The module should appear in the list.

Configuration

Add a connection and set Host to the IP of the machine running StageTime (127.0.0.1 if it's the same machine) and Port to StageTime's API port (default 8088). The connection indicator should turn green as long as StageTime is running.

Actions

Start, Stop, Toggle, Clear. Set time, add/subtract minutes and seconds. Load presets 1–5. Show/hide messages. Switch between Countdown, Local Time, and Count Up modes. Toggle flash at zero, stop at zero, wrap-up warning, and blue background.

Feedbacks

Light Color — button background matches the traffic light (green/yellow/red/gray).
Running / Stopped — boolean feedbacks for button styling.
Mode Active — highlights which mode is currently active.

Variables

$(wakemedia-stagetime:formattedTime) — live timer display (e.g. "09:33").
remainingSeconds, running, lightColor, countUpMode, messageVisible, plus preset names and times for slots 1–5.

Presets

The module includes pre-configured button presets organized by category — Timer Controls, Time Adjustment, Quick Set, Presets, Messages, Mode, and a live timer display button. Drag them onto your button grid from the Presets tab to get started quickly.