Self-hosted timer generator with visual presets, evergreen deadlines, API key auth, and multi-layer caching. Zero external dependencies.
Each preset configures colors, fonts, box styles, and separators. Override any parameter via URL.
No SaaS fees, no vendor lock-in, no external dependencies. Just PHP + GD.
Rounded, gradient, or outlined boxes around each digit group with configurable padding and radius.
Configurable colon or dash separators between DD:HH:MM:SS groups, auto-sized and centered.
Relative countdowns that start from "now". Perfect for landing pages and automated funnels.
Pin a deadline to a user ID. First visit saves the deadline, subsequent visits use it.
PHP filesystem cache + Cache-Control headers + CDN edge caching. Most requests never hit PHP.
Per-key daily quotas, IP rate limiting. Control who generates timers and how many.
BebasNeue, Inter Bold, Montserrat Bold. All OFL licensed. Auto-layout picks optimal size.
Local or remote images with cover, contain, or stretch fit. Transparent GIF support via chroma key.
Black Friday email to 10,000 subscribers, all opening at once? Same deadline for everyone means one generation for the whole blast. Per-subscriber deadlines (with uid) cost one generation per recipient, but every re-open is free from cache.
Daily limits count generations, not deliveries. A campaign-wide deadline served to a million inboxes ticks the counter once. Personalized evergreen deadlines tick once per subscriber. Subscribers re-opening the same email never re-charge the budget.
Per-key caps on image size and animation length. Remote backgrounds blocked unless you opt in for a specific key. Origin protected against header spoofing when behind a CDN.
No Docker, no build tools, no database. Just clone, configure, and point your web server.
Get the source code and set up API keys.
The filesystem cache needs writable directories owned by your web server user.
Configure Caddy, nginx, or Apache with PHP-FPM to serve the project directory.
StackPilot handles everything automatically: PHP-FPM, API key generation, cache directories, cleanup cron, Caddy config, Cloudflare DNS and CDN cache rules.
./local/deploy.sh countdown-timer --ssh=vps --domain=timer.example.com
Or set up manually:
All GIF generation requires a valid API key. Add &key=YOUR_KEY to every request. Keys are stored in keys.json, and you can give different keys different power levels.
Tier your keys for different audiences. Tight clamps for public newsletters, full power for internal tools:
Normal evergreen timers reset on every page load. Add a uid parameter to pin the deadline to a specific user. First request saves the deadline, all subsequent requests count down to the same moment.
All parameters are passed as URL query strings. Presets set defaults that individual parameters can override. Per-key limits in keys.json clamp these values before generation, so a public key can't request a 1200×400 timer with a remote background.
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| key required | API key for authentication | - |
| preset | Named preset (dark-boxes, gradient-cards, minimal-light, bold-color, transparent) | - |
| time | Absolute target datetime (e.g. 2026-12-25T00:00:00) | now |
| evergreen | Relative duration (e.g. 2h, 1d 2h 30m, 90m) | - |
| uid | Unique ID for persistent evergreen deadline | - |
| tz | Timezone (e.g. Europe/Warsaw) | UTC |
| width | Image width in pixels (100-1200) | 640 |
| height | Image height in pixels (40-400) | 140 |
| seconds | Animation frames / duration (1-120) | 30 |
| boxColor | Background color (hex without #) | 000 |
| fontColor | Digit color (hex) | fff |
| font | Font: BebasNeue, Inter-Bold, Montserrat-Bold | BebasNeue |
| fontSize | Digit font size in px (omit for auto) | auto |
| boxStyle | Box style: rounded, gradient, outline, none | none |
| boxBg | Box background color (hex) | 2d2d4a |
| boxRadius | Box corner radius in px | 10 |
| boxPadding | Padding inside boxes in px | 12 |
| separator | Separator between groups (: or - or empty) | : |
| sepColor | Separator color (hex) | fontColor |
| labelColor | Label text color (hex) | fontColor |
| bgImage | Background image (URL or local path) | - |
| bgFit | Background fit: cover, contain, stretch | cover |
| transparent | Transparent background (1 or true) | false |
Add urgency to flash sales and promotional emails. Set available_until on your product, embed the timer in your campaign.
Countdown to enrollment close. Use UID persistence so each student sees their personal deadline, even after reopening the email.
Drive signups with a live countdown. Absolute timer synced to the event start. Embed in email, landing page, or social media.
Countdown Timer is a standalone tool, but it works best with other projects from the same author.
Self-hosted platform for selling digital products. Built-in checkout, magic link auth, content access control. Zero commission fees. Pair it with Countdown Timer for launch urgency.
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