> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://thebeastuniverse.gitbook.io/beasttokens/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://thebeastuniverse.gitbook.io/beasttokens/placeholder/timer-placeholder-formatting.md).

# Timer Placeholder Formatting

The `Timer` section controls how remaining time is displayed in messages and placeholders.\
BeastTokens automatically selects the **most appropriate format** based on how much time is left.

Each format uses standard `printf`-style placeholders:

| Placeholder | Meaning                                     |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `%d`        | Number value (no padding)                   |
| `%02d`      | Number padded to 2 digits (e.g. `04`, `09`) |

```
Timer:
Y-D-H-M-S: "%d years %d days (%02dH:%02dM:%02dS)"
D-H-M-S: "%d days (%02dH:%02dM:%02dS)"
H-M-S: "(%02dH:%02dM:%02dS)"
M-S: "(%02dM:%02dS)"
S: "(%02dS)"
```

#### How It Works

BeastTokens checks the remaining time and chooses the **largest matching format**:

* **Years present** → `Y-D-H-M-S`
* **Days present (no years)** → `D-H-M-S`
* **Hours present** → `H-M-S`
* **Minutes present** → `M-S`
* **Seconds only** → `S`

This ensures the timer is always:

* ✅ Easy to read
* ✅ Compact
* ✅ Consistent across messages

| Remaining Time              | Display                        |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| `2 years, 3 days, 4h 5m 6s` | `2 years 3 days (04H:05M:06S)` |
| `5 days, 1h 2m 3s`          | `5 days (01H:02M:03S)`         |
| `2h 8m 9s`                  | `(02H:08M:09S)`                |
| `45 seconds`                | `(45S)`                        |

***

#### Notes

* You can fully customize each format.
* Padding (`%02d`) is recommended for timers that update every second.
* Removing any format will cause the next smaller one to be used.


---

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