---
title: Timers
description: Messages the bot posts on its own schedule - fixed or random intervals, gated on chat activity or being live.
---

Timers live on the **Chat bot** page under the **Timers** tab. A timer is a message the bot posts automatically - your Discord link, a merch plug, a hydration reminder, a running gag - without anyone typing a command.

Hit **Add timer** and fill in:

- **Name** - just a label for your list, viewers never see it.
- **Message** - what the bot posts. Same variables as [custom commands](/chat-bot/custom-commands) minus the argument ones: `{channel}`, `{pick:a|b|c}`, `{random:1-100}` and `{list:name}` all work.
- **Every (minutes)** - the interval, 1 to 1440 minutes.
- **…up to (optional)** - set this and the interval becomes random: a timer set to "every 10, up to 20" posts somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes after its last post, rerolled every time, so it never feels like clockwork.
- **Only after (chat messages)** - the timer waits until at least this many chat messages have been sent since its last post. A quiet chat doesn't get spammed; the timer stays ready and posts once chat picks back up. 0 disables the check.
- **Only while live** - on by default. The timer pauses whenever you're offline.

## How the schedule behaves

- A freshly created timer posts for the first time one interval from now, not immediately.
- A timer that comes due while its conditions aren't met (offline, or not enough chat) doesn't skip its slot - it posts as soon as the conditions are met, then starts its next interval.
- Schedules survive restarts and redeploys. Editing a timer's interval restarts its schedule from now.
- Each timer has an enable toggle, so you can bench one without deleting it. Turning off the bot pauses all timers.
- You can have up to 20 timers.

## Good to know

- Messages that would start with `/` or `!` are refused, same as custom command responses.
- The "only while live" check follows Twitch's stream status with a small delay (up to a couple of minutes around going live/offline).