Timer Triggers

Triggers control how and when a timer starts. You can start timers manually, have them start automatically when the previous timer ends, or schedule them to start at a specific wall clock time.

Manual trigger (default)

By default, every timer uses a manual trigger. The operator starts the timer by clicking the Start button or pressing the corresponding keyboard shortcut. This gives you full control over when each segment begins.

Operator view with the Start button for a manual timer

On Previous End

When set to On Previous End, a timer starts automatically as soon as the previous timer in the list finishes (reaches zero). This creates a seamless flow from one segment to the next without operator intervention.

This is ideal for tightly scheduled events where segments follow each other without gaps — for example, a conference with back-to-back talks.

Tip: Combine a manual first timer with "On Previous End" for all subsequent timers. This way, you press Start once and the entire show runs automatically.

At Time (scheduled start)

The At Time trigger starts a timer at a specific wall clock time. When you select this trigger, you also configure a target time — the exact time of day when the timer should begin.

This is useful for events that must follow a strict real-world schedule — for example, a live broadcast that starts at exactly 14:00.

Note: The "At Time" trigger uses the operator device's local clock. Make sure the operator's device is synchronized to the correct time zone and has an accurate clock.

How auto-advance works

When a timer finishes (countdown reaches zero), StageTick looks at the next timer in the list. If that timer's trigger is set to On Previous End, it starts immediately. This chain continues as long as consecutive timers have the "On Previous End" trigger.

The chain stops when it reaches a timer with a Manual or At Time trigger — the operator must then start it manually or wait for the scheduled time.

Timer list showing a mix of manual and auto-advance triggers

Mixing trigger types

You can mix trigger types within the same room to build flexible workflows. Here are some common patterns:

Fully automatic show

Set the first timer to Manual and all others to "On Previous End". Press Start once and the entire show runs through.

Manual with automatic breaks

Set talk timers to Manual and break timers to "On Previous End". The operator starts each talk, but breaks flow automatically after the talk ends.

Scheduled blocks

Use "At Time" for the first timer in each block (e.g., morning session at 09:00, afternoon at 14:00) and "On Previous End" for timers within each block.

Tip: The operator can always override auto-advance by manually starting, stopping, or skipping timers — even when triggers are configured.