> 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/quick-start/quickstart.md).

# Create your first countdown

Build a working sale timer end to end, from picking a template to seeing it tick on your product page.

This walkthrough builds one complete, common countdown: a sale timer on your product pages that counts down to a fixed end date and disappears when it's over. It touches every part of the builder — content, timing, design, and display — without any of the more advanced options.

Make sure you've [turned on the app embed](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/enable-app-embed.md) first, or the countdown you build here won't render on your storefront.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Start a new countdown

Open the app. On the dashboard, click **Create countdown** on the second setup card. (From the **Countdowns** page, the **Create countdown** button does the same thing.)

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-68c816c3e001bad98ea40352d84ee5e98d2b1d68%2Fscreenshot-dashboard-create-countdown.png?alt=media" alt="The dashboard setup card with the Create countdown button"><figcaption><p>Start a countdown from the dashboard's Create a countdown card.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Pick a template

The **Countdown templates** page opens with four type tabs across the top: **Countdown timer**, **Delivery date**, **Stock countdown**, and **Cart countdown**. Leave it on **Countdown timer**.

Browse the designs, or search by name or occasion — typing `black friday` finds that season's designs even though they're named things like Onyx and Ribbon. When you've found one you like, click **Select** on its card.

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d77985a19b5189bfe4845253b4e26c1db4442694%2Fscreenshot-templates-picker.png?alt=media" alt="The Countdown templates page showing the type tabs and a grid of timer designs"><figcaption><p>Pick a design from the template grid — you can change everything about it later.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Name the countdown

The builder opens with your chosen design already in the preview. Give the countdown a name at the top — something like "Spring sale timer". This name is only for you; shoppers never see it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Write the timer text

On the **Settings** tab, open the **Content** section and set what the timer says:

* **Title** — the big line, for example `🔥 Hurry up! 🔥`
* **Subtitle** — the line above the digits, for example `Sale ends in:`
* **Timer** — the labels under each number: Days, Hours, Min, Sec

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9d43636fa734cfa70f0bfe20a2e716ddc0d57bd3%2Fscreenshot-timer-content-fields.png?alt=media" alt="The Content section of the timer settings with the Title, Subtitle, and timer label fields"><figcaption><p>The Content section controls every piece of text on the timer.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Set the end date

Still on **Settings**, open the **Setting timer** section. Leave **Time type** on **Countdown to a date** — it's the default and the mode this example needs.

Under **Date between**, set **End** to the moment your sale finishes. Leave **Start** empty so the timer runs from now; fill it in if you want the timer to stay hidden until the sale actually opens.

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-930a8bc004414c533c55cf5ba47c370aa43ccf40%2Fscreenshot-timer-time-type.png?alt=media" alt="The Setting timer section with Time type set to Countdown to a date and an end date chosen"><figcaption><p>Countdown to a date is the default Time type — set the End date to your deadline.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose what happens at zero

Below the dates, set **When countdown timer end** to **Hide countdown block**. When the deadline passes, the timer disappears rather than sitting at 00:00:00.

The other two options are covered in [When the timer ends](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/countdown-timer/when-the-timer-ends.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose where it shows

Switch to the **Display** tab. Under **Show countdown on**, tick **Product page**. That places the timer on every product page, just below the Add to cart area.

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5745aa8f8a4bc0e9009418ae212142a9e0f4443c%2Fscreenshot-display-product-page.png?alt=media" alt="The Display tab with the Product page checkbox ticked under Show countdown on"><figcaption><p>Ticking Product page puts the timer on all product pages.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Limit it to the right products (optional)

Above the display position, the **Conditions** section decides which products get the timer. Leave it on **All Products** to cover your whole catalog, or change it to target a collection, specific products, or a customer group — see [Display conditions](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/where-countdowns-appear/conditions.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save it as active

Click **Save**. Check the status control reads **Active**, not **Draft** — a draft is saved but never rendered.

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-75244984529cc30a21484f0ee5e81ad212ddeab8%2Fscreenshot-builder-save-active.png?alt=media" alt="The builder top bar with the status set to Active and the Save button"><figcaption><p>Save the countdown with its status set to Active.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check it on your storefront

Open any product page on your live storefront in a new tab — the dashboard's **Open my store** button is a shortcut. You should see your timer below the Add to cart button, counting down.

Try it on your phone too, or narrow the browser window: themes lay product pages out differently on small screens, and it's worth seeing the timer where most of your shoppers will.

<figure><img src="https://855148666-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaOJwtwIUCsbYLCDqZD0u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2acf7bb359e17e4fc403c0684f1a5f12f45e3ec3%2Fscreenshot-storefront-timer-product-page.png?alt=media" alt="A storefront product page with the countdown timer rendered below the Add to cart button"><figcaption><p>The finished timer on a live product page.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="success" %}
If the timer appears on your product page and the seconds are ticking down, everything is wired up correctly: the embed is on, the countdown is active, and its conditions match.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Don't see it? Work through [Countdown not showing](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/help/countdown-not-showing.md) — it's a short checklist and the first two items catch most cases.
{% endhint %}

## Next steps

* [How countdowns work](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/quick-start/how-countdowns-work.md)
* [Design a countdown](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/design-and-translation/design.md)
* [Display conditions](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/where-countdowns-appear/conditions.md)
* [Countdown types](/samita-countdown-timer-bar/countdowns/overview.md)


---

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