TempoScript

Welcome to TempoScript: Your Timed Markdown Presentation Tool

When presenting without native speaker notes—such as when you're not using PowerPoint—TempoScript provides the guidance you need. Simply upload your markdown script, structure your sections with time markers, and precisely control the pace of your talk.

Getting Started

Press the Start Presentation button at the top right to begin your session.

How It Works

  • 📝 Markdown Editor: Create your presentation in the editor on the left.
  • 🕓 Time Markers: Insert markers (e.g., ?05:00) to specify the duration of each section.
  • 👁️ Live Preview: Watch your formatted presentation update in real time.

Understanding Time Markers

Time markers divide your presentation into well-timed segments. For instance, this active block is allocated 1:00 minutes to set the stage.

  • ?10:00 → Top-level section (10 minutes)

If you want to set inner time markers, you can do so like this:

  • ??03:00 → Nested section (3 minutes)
  • ???00:30 → Deeply nested section (30 seconds)

Remember, nested sections cannot exceed the duration of their parent section.

No-Timed Sections

Imagine you need to add a quick note or spontaneous explanation. With no-timed sections, you can speak freely without affecting the overall timing.

Once you enter a no-timed block—indicated by the ?!! symbols—the timer will pause. However, if this no-timed block is nested within a timed section, the parent block’s duration remains in effect.

A no-timed section that is not nested within any timed block is completely unrestricted.

Presentation Controls

  • ▶️ Play/Pause: Start or stop the timer.
  • ⏩ Next/Previous: Navigate between sections.
  • ⌨️ Shortcuts: Use keyboard commands (e.g., Space to play/pause) for quick control.

Wrap-Up

TempoScript helps you stay on schedule while offering the flexibility to delve deeper when needed. With structured time markers and no-timed sections, you remain in control of both the pace and the content of your presentation.

A timed script for your presentations, written in Markdown

TempoScript turns a plain Markdown script into speaker notes that keep time. Give each section a duration, press Start, and the app highlights where you are, counts how long you have been talking and warns you when you run over.

  • Free, with the source code on GitHub
  • Works offline and installs as an app
  • No account: your script never leaves your browser
Open the editor

How it works

  1. 1

    Write your script in Markdown

    Type or paste your talk into the editor. Headings, lists, bold text and code blocks all render in the live preview.

  2. 2

    Add time markers

    Put a line such as ?05:00 before a section to give it five minutes. Use ??01:30 for a sub-section that takes a minute and a half of that time.

  3. 3

    Present

    Press Start Presentation. The current section is highlighted, the timers run, and the progress bar turns red and pulses when a section runs over its time.

Time marker syntax

A time marker is a line that starts with one or more question marks. It sets the duration of the text below it, up to the next marker.

MarkerMeaning
?10:00Top-level section that lasts 10 minutes
??03:00Sub-section that lasts 3 minutes, inside the section above
???00:30Sub-sub-section that lasts 30 seconds
?!!Untimed section: the timer shows elapsed time but there is no limit
??!!Untimed sub-section: the parent section's time keeps running

Rules

  • Each marker goes on its own line.
  • Time is written as mm:ss, and seconds must be a multiple of 5.
  • A nested marker has exactly one more question mark than its parent.
  • A sub-section cannot be longer than its parent section.

Read the full guide

When to use it

TempoScript helps whenever you speak against the clock and have no presenter view to guide you.

  • Conference talks and meetups

    Rehearse a 20-minute slot and see exactly which section eats your time.

  • Lectures and classes

    Split a lesson into timed blocks and keep room for questions with untimed sections.

  • Thesis defences and pitches

    Strict time limits are easier to meet when every part of the talk has its own budget.

  • Podcasts, streams and video

    Keep a rundown on a second screen and move through segments on schedule.

  • Slides without speaker notes

    Presenting a PDF, a shared browser tab or a live demo? Keep your script and timing on another device.

Private and offline by design

TempoScript runs entirely in your browser. Your script is saved in the browser's local storage on your device. There is no account, no server-side storage and no tracking.

After the first visit the app works without an internet connection, and you can install it on a computer, tablet or phone from the browser menu.

Frequently asked questions

What is TempoScript?
TempoScript is a free web app that turns a Markdown script into timed speaker notes. You mark each section with a duration such as ?05:00, and during the presentation the app highlights the current section and tracks your time.
Is TempoScript free?
Yes. It is free to use, has no paid plan and needs no account. It is open source under the MIT license, with the code on GitHub.
Does it work offline?
Yes. After you open it once, the app is cached and works without a connection. You can also install it as an app from your browser.
Where is my script stored?
Only in your browser's local storage, on your own device. Nothing is uploaded. Clearing your browser data removes the script, so use Export to keep a copy of anything important.
How is it different from a teleprompter or presenter view?
A teleprompter scrolls text at a fixed speed, and presenter view ties notes to slides. TempoScript ties time to the sections of your script: you move forward when you are ready, or let it advance automatically, and it shows whether you are within the time you planned.
Can sections advance automatically?
Yes. Turn on Auto-advance in presentation mode and the app moves to the next section when the current one runs out of time.
Which keyboard shortcuts are there?
In presentation mode: Space or P to play and pause, Right arrow or N for the next section, Left arrow or B for the previous one, F for fullscreen, + and - to change the text size, H to show or hide the help, and Esc to exit.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The layout adapts to small screens, so you can keep the script on a phone while your slides are on another device.