Date & Time Macros: Dynamic Snippets That Stay Current

Static text is useful. Dynamic text is powerful. TypeSnap macros let you insert dates, times, and other values that change every time a snippet expands.

All macros use double-brace syntax: {{macro}}.

Basic Date and Time

The simplest macros give you the current date or time:

Example: Daily Standup

Abbreviation: ;standup

## Standup — {{date:EEEE, MMMM d}}

**Yesterday:**
- {{cursor}}

**Today:**
-

**Blockers:**
- None

Type ;standup and you get a standup template with today’s day and date filled in, with your cursor positioned right where you need to start typing.

Custom Date Formats

Add a format string after the colon to control how dates appear:

Format Codes Reference

Custom Time Formats

{{time:HH:mm}}        → 14:30
{{time:h:mm a}}        → 2:30 PM
{{time:HH:mm:ss}}      → 14:30:45

Date Offsets

Need a date in the future or past? Add an offset:

Combine offsets with formats:

{{date+7d:MMMM d, yyyy}}     → January 22, 2026
{{date+1m:MM/dd/yyyy}}        → 02/15/2026
{{date-1y:yyyy}}               → 2025

Example: Invoice with Due Date

Abbreviation: ;invoice

INVOICE
Date: {{date:MMMM d, yyyy}}
Due:  {{date+30d:MMMM d, yyyy}}

Bill To:
{{input:Client Name}}

Amount: ${{input:Amount}}

Payment is due within 30 days. Thank you for your business.

This creates an invoice with today’s date and a due date automatically set 30 days out.

Example: Meeting Follow-up

Abbreviation: ;followup

Hi {{input:Name}},

Thanks for meeting today ({{date:EEEE, MMMM d}}). As discussed, I'll have the deliverables ready by {{date+5d:EEEE, MMMM d}}.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
{{snippet:;sig}}

This uses a date offset for the deadline and nests your signature snippet.

Other Dynamic Macros

Beyond dates, TypeSnap has several other macros that insert dynamic content.

Clipboard

{{clipboard}} pastes whatever is currently on your clipboard.

Abbreviation: ;link

<a href="{{clipboard}}">{{cursor}}</a>

Copy a URL, type ;link, and you get an HTML link with the URL filled in and your cursor positioned to type the link text.

Cursor Positioning

{{cursor}} places your cursor at that position after expansion.

Abbreviation: ;todo

- [ ] {{cursor}}

Type ;todo and your cursor lands right after the checkbox, ready to type the task.

Random Numbers

{{random}} generates a random number. You can specify a range:

UUID

{{uuid}} generates a unique identifier:

{{uuid}}  →  550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000

Useful for developers who need unique IDs in test data or configuration files.

Nested Snippets

{{snippet:abbreviation}} expands another snippet inline:

Abbreviation: ;sig Content: Aaron Hampton, Senior Developer

Abbreviation: ;reply Content:

Hi {{input:Name}},

{{cursor}}

Best regards,
{{snippet:;sig}}

The ;reply snippet pulls in your signature automatically. Change your signature in one place and every snippet that references it stays up to date.

Key Simulation

{{key:...}} simulates pressing a key:

Useful for filling in forms:

Abbreviation: ;addr

123 Main Street{{key:tab}}Apt 4B{{key:tab}}Springfield{{key:tab}}IL{{key:tab}}62704

This fills in an address form, tabbing between fields automatically.

Combining Macros

Macros can be mixed freely in any snippet:

Abbreviation: ;log

[{{date:yyyy-MM-dd}} {{time:HH:mm:ss}}] [{{select:INFO,WARN,ERROR}}] {{input:Message}}

This prompts you to pick a log level and type a message, then formats it with a timestamp.

Every macro works with every content type and trigger mode. Start with the simple ones — {{date}} and {{clipboard}} — and build up from there as you need them.