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How to set a quick countdown timer with a hotkey on Windows

Use a KeyRoutines Hotkey trigger with Ask for input for the minutes, then a Repeat that many times with a Delay of 1 minute and Show progress updating as it goes. When the Repeat ends, Speak text and Show banner tell you time's up.

Steps

  1. 1

    Add a Hotkey trigger

    Pick a chord such as Ctrl+Alt+T.

  2. 2

    Ask how long

    Add Ask for input, "Minutes?", with 10 as the default.

  3. 3

    Count down

    Add a Repeat for that many rounds with a Delay of 1 minute inside.

  4. 4

    Show progress

    Inside the Repeat, add Calculate for the round divided by the minutes and Show progress with that value.

  5. 5

    Time's up

    After the Repeat, close the progress bar and add Speak text and Show banner "Time's up".

Tips

  • Cancel the run from the tray to stop the timer early.
  • If you set a time limit on the routine, make it longer than your longest timer.

Questions

Can I run two timers at once?
Yes, if you set the routine to allow more than one run at a time.
Is it free?
Yes.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · HotkeysFree

Hotkey

Hotkey starts a routine when you press a keyboard shortcut or mouse button. It's the most common way to run a routine, from a single app launcher key to a whole streaming setup on one combination.

Step · NotificationsFree

Ask for input

Ask for input pops up a question with a text box and waits for your answer. Use it when a routine needs something only you know, like a project name, a note, or a search term.

Step · Flow and routinesFree

Delay

Delay pauses the routine for a time you choose before the next step runs. People add it after opening an app, between key presses, or anywhere a program needs a moment to react.

Step · Data and variablesFree

Calculate

Calculate works out a formula you type, like a price times 1.2 or a volume minus 10. Values from other steps go straight into the formula, so you can do real maths without a separate tool.

Step · NotificationsFree

Show progress

Show progress puts a progress bar on screen for a routine that takes a while. Later steps can update it with a new line of text or a new percentage, then close it.

Step · NotificationsFree

Speak text

Speak text reads a sentence aloud using a voice installed in Windows. It's ideal for updates you want to hear rather than see, like "Stream is live" in your headset.

Step · NotificationsFree

Show banner

Show banner puts a large text message on screen for a set time. Unlike a Windows notification, it still shows when a borderless full-screen app is in front, and it never takes the mouse or keyboard.

More how-to guides

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