Variables & Timers (Live)

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Variables and timers are powerful tools for creating interactive live sessions. Control them through the command palette for real-time updates that all participants see.

Variable Commands

Variables are defined in the Ripple editor and can be manipulated live during a session. They drive interactive elements — scores, counters, toggles, and text that update for everyone in real time.

Setting a Value

:vs <name> <value>

Sets a variable to a specific value. For example, :vs score 42 or :vs teamName "Red Dragons".

Incrementing and Decrementing

:vi <name> [amount]    — increment (default: +1)
:vd <name> [amount]    — decrement (default: -1)

For example, :vi score adds 1 to the score, or :vi score 10 adds 10.

Toggling a Boolean

:vt <name>

Flips a boolean variable between true and false. For example, :vt showAnswers toggles whether answers are visible.

Resetting Variables

:vr <name>     — reset one variable to its initial value
:vra           — reset all variables to their initial values

Useful between rounds or at the start of a new activity.

Randomising

:vR <name> <min> <max> [mode]

Sets a variable to a random value between min and max. Modes:

  • pure — truly random (may repeat)
  • cycle — avoids immediate repeats
  • no-repeat — exhausts all values before repeating

For example, :vR question 1 20 no-repeat picks a random question number without repeats.

Listing All Variables

:vl

Opens a list showing all variables with their current values and types. Useful for checking state mid-session.

Timer Commands

Timers are visible to all participants and support three modes: countdown, pomodoro, and sequence.

Countdown Timer

:tc <duration>

Starts a simple countdown. Duration formats:

  • 5m — 5 minutes
  • 90s — 90 seconds
  • 1h — 1 hour
  • 5 — 5 minutes (plain number defaults to minutes)

Minimum duration is 10 seconds; maximum is 4 hours.

Pomodoro Timer

:tp [focus/break]

Starts a pomodoro timer that alternates between focus and break periods. Defaults to 25 minutes focus / 5 minutes break if no argument is given.

Examples:

  • :tp — classic 25/5 pomodoro
  • :tp 50/10 — 50 minutes focus, 10 minutes break
  • :tp 15m/3m — explicit minute notation

Sequence Timer

:tq

Starts a sequence timer using a pre-configured series of timed rounds. Configure the sequence in the timer settings before the session.

Controlling a Running Timer

Command Description
:t. Toggle pause/resume
:tx Stop and cancel the timer
:ta <duration> Add time (e.g., :ta 2m adds 2 minutes)
:tn Advance to next round (sequence only)
:tr Reset timer to original duration

You can also control the timer from the creator toolbar or the timer controls panel (:gt).

Use Cases

Live Scoring

Create number variables for team scores and use :vi/:vd to update them live. Bind the variables to text elements in your scene so participants see the score update in real time.

Interactive Quizzes

  1. Create a currentQuestion number variable
  2. Use :vR currentQuestion 1 20 no-repeat to pick random questions
  3. Use :vt showAnswer to reveal answers
  4. Use :vi score to award points
  5. Reset with :vra between rounds

Timed Activities

Combine timers with scene switching:

  1. Switch to the activity scene (:s Activity)
  2. Start a countdown (:tc 5m)
  3. When time is up, switch to the review scene (:s Review)

Workshop Pomodoros

Use pomodoro timers for focused workshop sessions:

  1. Start a pomodoro (:tp 25/5)
  2. Participants work during focus periods
  3. Use break periods for sharing and discussion
  4. The timer automatically alternates between focus and break