W
WST Block Timer
0/5 (0 ratings) — active installs Updated Sep 11, 2026
The Block Timer block in the editor, with start and end fields in the sidebar
WST Block Timer adds a single container block. Put any blocks inside it and set a start and/or end date and time; the contents appear on the front end only during that period. Before the start and after the end, the block outputs nothing.
Use it for time-limited announcements, seasonal banners, campaign notices, or any content that should appear and disappear on a schedule without you editing the page again.
Key features
- One container block (“Block Timer”) that holds any inner blocks
- Set a start, an end, or both — leave a side empty to leave it open-ended
- For regular visitors, out-of-range content is left off the page
- Optional preview: signed-in staff can see out-of-range content in a dashed box, to check it before it goes live
- Choose who sees that preview: Administrators only, Editors and above, or Authors and above
- Times are evaluated in your site’s timezone
- While a preview is active, that page’s full-page cache is disabled so out-of-range content is not served to regular visitors
- If WST Date Simulator (by the same author) is also active, both plugins use the same simulated time as “now”, so a scheduled display period can be previewed together with scheduled posts
About permissions
- Viewing the preview and changing the plugin’s settings use separate permission checks
- Changing the settings always requires an Administrator (manage_options)
- Who can view the preview is configurable on the settings screen (Editors and above, by default)
Good to know
- This is a presentational schedule, not access control. Hidden content still exists in the post and may be reachable through revisions, feeds, or the REST API. Do not use it to protect secret information.
- Crossing the start or end time does not change a cached page until it is regenerated. Shorten your cache lifetime or exclude the affected pages if exact switch timing matters.
- Deactivating the plugin stops the schedule. Content saved by this plugin is stored in a form that is usually not shown by the browser, but this is not a security measure.