How to use CatanClock
Put one phone in the middle of the table where everyone can see it. Setup takes under a minute the first time and one tap after that.
1. Seat the players
- Choose 3 to 6 players. Seat order is turn order, so enter names going around the table.
- Tap a colored circle to change a player's color. Colors never repeat, and every color is always shown next to a name.
- Give newer players extra time (up to one extra minute per turn) with the menu at the end of their row.
- Use Shuffle seats if you want a random first player.
Saved players appear as chips under the seats. Tap a chip to drop that person into the next empty seat. Typing a saved player's name links the seat to their profile automatically (you will see a star).
2. Pick a time rule
| Rule | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed limit | The same limit every turn (1:30 by default). | Most groups |
| Fast-turn bonus | End early and half the unused time goes to your bank, up to 3:00. Your bank is used after your limit runs out. | Rewarding quick players |
| Changing limit | The limit drops (or grows) by a set amount after each full round, between 0:30 and 10:00. The setup screen previews it. | Late game speed-ups |
| Chess clock | Each player gets one pool of time for the whole game. When it is empty, every turn counts as overtime. | Competitive tables |
You can also set the warning time, the robber time, the opening placement limit and an optional starting time bank.
3. Opening placements
If placements are on, the app walks through two rounds in snake order (first to last, then last to first). Each placement has its own short clock and a Done placing button. Placements are not counted in turn stats. The player who places last starts the main game.
4. Every turn
- The current player rolls the dice. The clock is not running yet.
- Tap the number that was rolled. The turn clock starts right away.
- Trade, build and play cards. There is no separate trade timer.
- Tap the big End turn button. The next player's name appears.
Forgot to log a roll? Use Start without logging a roll. The turn is timed, it just won't appear in the dice chart.
5. Rolling a 7
Tapping 7 starts a separate violet robber timer for discarding, moving the robber and stealing. When that is done, tap Robber done and the normal turn clock starts at its full limit. Robber time is tracked separately and never taken from the turn.
6. Warnings and overtime
- Warning: the ring turns amber, the numbers pulse and a soft chime plays. Quiet ticks count the last five seconds.
- Time bank: if the player has banked time, the display switches to the bank and counts it down.
- Overtime: the screen flashes once, a low chime plays and the ring stays red. The clock counts up with a plus sign, with a faint reminder every 20 seconds. Nobody is kicked out of their turn.
Choose Off, Soft or Full sound in setup and use Preview sounds to hear them. On iPhone, the ring/silent switch can mute web audio, so check it if you hear nothing.
7. Pause, undo and closing the app
Pause freezes the clock for snack breaks and rule checks. Undo steps back through rolls, robber, end turn and placements, several levels deep, restoring the clock to where it was. The game is saved continuously. If the page closes or reloads, you can resume (it opens paused) or discard it. The app also asks the phone to keep the screen awake during a game.
8. After the game
Tap End game twice to confirm. The summary shows game length, turns and the average turn, a row for each player with awards, and a chart of the dice compared with the odds. Answer “Did everyone have enough time?” and the app offers a one-tap adjustment for next time. Guests can tap Save profile to keep their stats.
Desktop shortcuts
On a computer: Space ends the turn (or finishes the robber or placement), P pauses, U undoes, and keys 2 to 9 (and 0 for 10) log a roll.
Install it
Add CatanClock to your home screen from your browser's share or menu button. It works offline after the first visit, which helps at tables with poor signal.