# countdown

**Repository Path**: mirrors_WebReflection/countdown

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: countdown
- **Description**: A Raspberry Pi Zero/W working time tracker.
- **Primary Language**: Unknown
- **License**: ISC
- **Default Branch**: master
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 0
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2020-08-19
- **Last Updated**: 2026-04-25

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

# working time countdown

A working time tracker running on a [Raspberry Pi Zero](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-zero/)/[Zero W](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-zero-w/), powered by NodeJS and/or Python 3.

![time tracker example](./time-tracker-pi-zero.jpg)


## How Does It Work

  * once plugged in for the first time, it will start a countdown
  * if unplugged before the countdown is finished, it pauses (will start from that same time next boot)
  * if unplugged after the countdown is finished, it resets itself (will start from scratch next boot/working day)


### When Is It Safe To Unplug ?

If the countdown is finished, i.e. the screen is blinking, it's always safe to unplug the Raspberry Pi Zero/W.

However, to pause it, it's best to wait after next minute update, as any filesystem operation would be done by that time.

Theoretically, you must be quite unlucky to unplug it in a breaking way, but don't worry, the code is super defensive about it so that in the worst case scenario you'll just have a timer starting from scratch.


### How to reset the timer ?

Just let it reach its end, or SSH into your pi and remove the `~/countdown.json` file.

Reboot, and you'll be good to go again.


## How To Install

![time tracker oled example](./time-tracker-oled-image.jpg)

These instructions are for the [pimoroni b/w Inky pHAT](https://pimoroni.com/inkyphat), the [Waveshare e-Paper](https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/2.13inch_e-Paper_HAT), or the [i2c Pi Oled screen](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pioled-128x32-mini-oled-for-raspberry-pi/usage).

Prepare a [BENJA](https://archibold.io/benja/) Raspberry Pi SD card:

```sh
bash <(curl -s https://archibold.io/benja/prepare)
```

Once finished, remove it and put it on your RPi board. Login via `alarm` user and `alarm` password and follow instructions until the board reboot.

At that point, when everything is installed and you have a BENJA prompt, type the following in your Raspberry Pi terminal:

```sh
DISPLAY=pimoroni
# or DISPLAY=waveshare if you use waveshare
# or DISPLAY=oled if you use i2c oled screen

# run the installer
bash <(curl -s https://webreflection.github.io/countdown/${DISPLAY}/install)
```

Reboot the board via `reboot` and see the counter stating.

#### Raspberry Pi Zero without WiFi

If you want to set it up in a Pi Zero W but use after a Pi Zero instead, remember to disable the network.

```sh
netctl list
# read the wlan0 name

sudo netctl disable wlan0-your-SID
sudo systemctl disable dhcpcd
```