zeenie-ai Timer Tool
Set one-time delayed execution timers.
How It Works
This skill provides instructions for the Timer tool node. Connect the Timer node to Zeenie's input-tools handle to enable timed delays.
timer Tool
Create a one-time timer that triggers after a specified duration.
Schema Fields
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| duration | number | Yes | Time value for the delay |
| unit | string | Yes | Time unit: "seconds", "minutes", "hours", "days" |
Time Units
| Unit | Range | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
seconds |
1-3600 | Short delays, testing |
minutes |
1-1440 | Task reminders, short waits |
hours |
1-168 | Scheduled checks, delayed notifications |
days |
1-30 | Long-term reminders, follow-ups |
Examples
30 second delay:
{
"duration": 30,
"unit": "seconds"
}
5 minute reminder:
{
"duration": 5,
"unit": "minutes"
}
1 hour delay:
{
"duration": 1,
"unit": "hours"
}
2 day follow-up:
{
"duration": 2,
"unit": "days"
}
Response Format
Timer set:
{
"success": true,
"message": "Timer set for 5 minutes",
"duration": 5,
"unit": "minutes",
"duration_seconds": 300,
"trigger_at": "2025-01-30T12:05:00Z"
}
Timer triggered:
{
"success": true,
"triggered": true,
"message": "Timer completed after 5 minutes",
"duration": 5,
"unit": "minutes"
}
Error Response
{
"error": "Duration must be a positive number"
}
Use Cases
| Use Case | Duration | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick test | 10-30 | seconds | Testing workflow execution |
| Reminder | 5-30 | minutes | Short-term reminders |
| Rate limit | 60 | seconds | Wait between API calls |
| Daily check | 24 | hours | Daily automation |
| Follow-up | 2-7 | days | Long-term follow-ups |
Common Workflows
Delayed notification
- Receive user request for reminder
- Set timer with requested duration
- Timer triggers → send notification
Rate-limited API calls
- Make API call
- Set 60-second timer
- Timer triggers → make next call
Scheduled workflow
- Set timer for desired delay
- Timer triggers → execute workflow nodes
Integration with Workflow
When used as a trigger node in a workflow:
- Deploy the workflow
- Timer countdown begins
- After duration, downstream nodes execute
When used as AI tool:
- Agent decides to set timer
- Timer is scheduled
- Agent can proceed with other work
- Notification when timer triggers
Best Practices
- Use appropriate units: Don't use 3600 seconds when 1 hour is clearer
- Consider time zones: Timers use server time
- Account for drift: Long timers may have slight variance
- Test short first: Start with seconds before days
- Chain timers carefully: Avoid infinite loops
Limitations
- Timers are not persistent across server restarts
- Maximum practical delay depends on server uptime
- Timers are one-time (use cron for recurring)
Setup Requirements
- Connect the Timer node to Zeenie's
input-toolshandle - For workflow triggers, connect Timer as the first node
- Deploy workflow to activate timer