Countdown — TikTok Live Decorate overlay
Countdown is a big-digit timer — count down from a duration or to a target time, with custom title and done-text. No chat or gift events needed; pure display.
Prerequisite: install and run TKStudio (Windows desktop) and connect it to the TikTok LIVE room you are streaming. This article stands on its own — from configuration to OBS / TikTok LIVE Studio setup.
When to use it
Flash sales, giveaway starts, event openings — a countdown makes waiting part of the show, and the last 10 seconds become a room-wide chant that dumps straight into the payoff. Write done-text as an action ('GO!', 'Giveaway open!') so the zero moment triggers behavior.
Long streams use it between segments: 'next segment in 5:00' keeps the pace honest.
The demo video above shows Countdown in action (both EN and ZH versions), and the cover previews the layout; the plugin page's live preview is the source of truth.
Configuration
Configure everything on the plugin page in TKStudio — tune on the left, preview live on the right, then hit Generate link. The table below lists every parameter in panel order, its default, and practical gotchas.
| Parameter | Description | Default | Gotchas |
|---|---|---|---|
mode | Countdown from a duration or to a target time. | From now (minutes) | Target-time mode relies on your local clock — double-check timezone for global events. |
durationMin | Minutes counted down from open. (1–240) | 30 | Refreshing the browser source restarts the count — use target-time mode for fixed deadlines. |
targetTime | The date & time the countdown reaches zero. | — | Interpreted in your local timezone; set early and verify in preview. |
title | Heading text on top of the overlay. | — | Leave empty to hide the heading row entirely. |
doneText | Text shown when the countdown hits zero. | — | A call to action works best: "GO!" / "Giveaway starts!". |
color | Main text / element color. | #ffffff | Avoid pure white over bright scenes (white walls, daylight) — use a brand color. |
fontSize | Font size in pixels. (24–120, step 2) | 64 | Works together with Scale: set font size first, then scale the whole overlay. |
size | Overall overlay scale (1–10). (1–10) | 5 | You can still resize in OBS / LIVE Studio afterwards; avoid stacking both too small. |
How to use it in OBS
This section assumes you have generated and copied the link: open TKStudio → pick Countdown → choose the room and tune parameters → Generate link → Copy link. Keep TKStudio running while you stream — the overlay link talks to the local TKStudio process.
Add the link to OBS as a Browser Source:
- In the Sources dock click + → Browser.
- Paste the copied link into URL; set width / height to your canvas (usually 1920×1080).
- Leave Shutdown source when not visible unchecked so the overlay never pauses.
- Click OK, then drag / resize the source into position.
Placement: Center-large for hype, corner-small for ambient. Refreshing the source resets from-now mode — use target-time for fixed deadlines.
- The page background is transparent out of the box — do not override it with custom CSS.
- After changing parameters, Generate link again and refresh the Browser Source (or update its URL).
- One plugin = one Browser Source; add more sources for more overlays.
How to use it in TikTok LIVE Studio
If you go live with TikTok LIVE Studio, the approach is the same — a browser layer, nearly identical to OBS:
- Open your scene / layer list in TikTok LIVE Studio.
- Add a Browser layer.
- Paste the link from Copy link into the URL field.
- Match the canvas size (e.g. 1920×1080) and keep the background transparent.
- Position the layer, go live, and send a test chat / gift to confirm it animates.
- TKStudio and TikTok LIVE Studio must run on the same PC (the link points to 127.0.0.1).
- Blank overlay? Make sure TKStudio is connected to the right room, then re-copy the link and refresh the layer.
- After regenerating a link, refresh or re-create the browser layer.
Related plugins
Browse all plugin docs or try them live in the TKStudio marketplace.