> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.samita.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.samita.io/samita-countdown-timer-bar/getting-started.md).

# Getting started

Add countdown timers, delivery dates, stock bars, cart timers, sale popups, and banner bars to your Shopify store with Countdown Timer Bar Samita.

**Countdown Timer Bar Samita** puts urgency and reassurance on your storefront: a sale timer that ticks down to your deadline, an estimated delivery date on the product page, a low-stock bar, a cart timer that nudges shoppers to check out, sale popups that show what other people are buying, and a banner bar announcing free shipping or a discount code across every page.

Everything is configured inside the app — pick a design, set the timing, choose where it shows — and the app renders it on your storefront. You don't need to edit theme code.

## What you can build

| Type                        | What the shopper sees                                                                                        | Guide                                                                                      |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Countdown timer**         | A ticking timer with your own heading, subtitle, and optional button                                         | [Countdown timer](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/countdown-timer/overview.md)                 |
| **Estimated delivery date** | "Order within 4h 12m for delivery between Mar 14 – Mar 16", with an order-progress bar                       | [Estimated delivery date](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/estimated-delivery-date/overview.md) |
| **Stock countdown**         | "Only 7 items left in stock", with a scarcity slider                                                         | [Stock countdown](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/stock-countdown/overview.md)                 |
| **Cart countdown**          | A timer in the cart reserving their items for a set number of minutes                                        | [Cart countdown](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/cart-countdown/overview.md)                   |
| **Sale popups**             | Small notifications showing recent purchases from your store                                                 | [Sale popups](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/sale-popups/overview.md)                         |
| **Banner bar**              | A bar across the top or foot of every page: "Free shipping over $50", a live timer, a button, a code to copy | [Banners](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/banners/overview.md)                                 |

## Before you begin

You need three things in place before a countdown is visible to shoppers:

1. The app installed on your Shopify store.
2. The **Samita Countdown Timer Bar** app embed turned on for the theme you want it to appear on.
3. At least one countdown saved as **Active**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
A countdown saved in the app changes nothing on your storefront until the app embed is on. The app embed is a single switch that controls every countdown, sale popup, and banner at once — see [Turn on the app embed](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/enable-app-embed.md).
{% endhint %}

## Start here

Work through these four pages in order the first time you set the app up:

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-download">:download:</i></td><td><strong>Install the app</strong></td><td>Add it from the Shopify App Store and approve its permissions.</td><td><a href="/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/installation.md">Install the app</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-puzzle-piece">:puzzle-piece:</i></td><td><strong>Turn on the app embed</strong></td><td>The one switch that lets the app run on your storefront.</td><td><a href="/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/enable-app-embed.md">Turn on the app embed</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-rocket">:rocket:</i></td><td><strong>Create your first countdown</strong></td><td>A complete walkthrough, from template to live product page.</td><td><a href="/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/quickstart.md">Create your first countdown</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-compass">:compass:</i></td><td><strong>How countdowns work</strong></td><td>The three parts every countdown is built from.</td><td><a href="/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/how-countdowns-work.md">How countdowns work</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Choose the right guide

Already set up? Jump to what you're trying to do:

| Your goal                                                     | Start with                                                                                             |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Count down to a sale deadline                                 | [Count down to a date](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/countdown-timer/count-down-to-a-date.md)            |
| Give every visitor their own short timer                      | [Fixed minutes per visitor](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/countdown-timer/fixed-minutes.md)              |
| Run a timer on set weekdays and hours                         | [Daily recurring timer](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/countdown-timer/daily-recurring.md)                |
| Show delivery dates on product pages                          | [Estimated delivery date](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/estimated-delivery-date/overview.md)             |
| Decide which products and pages show a countdown              | [Display conditions](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/where-countdowns-appear/conditions.md)                |
| Put a countdown somewhere the app doesn't reach automatically | [Place a countdown with a shortcode](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/where-countdowns-appear/shortcode.md) |
| Change colors, fonts, and spacing                             | [Design a countdown](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/design-and-translation/design.md)                     |
| Show different wording per storefront language                | [Translate countdown text](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/design-and-translation/translate.md)            |
| Announce free shipping or a code on every page                | [Banners overview](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/banners/overview.md)                                    |
| Your countdown isn't appearing                                | [Countdown not showing](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/help/countdown-not-showing.md)                     |

## Need help?

Start with the [FAQ](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/help/faq.md) and the [Countdown not showing](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/help/countdown-not-showing.md) checklist — they cover most issues in a couple of minutes. If you're still stuck, [contact support](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/help/contact-support.md).


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