Add auto-start draft at scheduled time (#437) (#438)

Commissioners can now opt in to having a draft start automatically at
its scheduled draftDateTime rather than requiring a manual "Start Draft"
click. The 1-second timer loop checks for eligible seasons each tick and
calls the new shared startDraft() service, which is also used by the
existing commissioner HTTP route.

- Add autoStartDraft boolean to seasons table (migration 0108)
- Extract core start logic into app/services/draft-autostart.ts so both
  the API route and the timer can call it without AsyncLocalStorage
- Add checkAndAutoStartDrafts() to the timer tick; disables autoStartDraft
  and stops retrying if no draft order is set at fire time
- Guard against null draftDateTime in both the timer query (isNotNull)
  and server actions (autoStartDraft forced false when datetime is null)
- Add "Auto-start at scheduled time" checkbox to league creation wizard
  (step 3) and league settings, gated on date+time being set
- Show countdown + "Start Now" button in draft room when auto-start is
  scheduled; reuses the existing nowForPauseCheck 1-second ticker
- Show orange warning banner on league homepage to commissioners when
  auto-start is within 1 hour and no draft order has been configured

Co-authored-by: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

app/components/draft/CommissionerDraftControls.tsx

@@ -8,6 +8,16 @@ interface CommissionerDraftControlsProps {
   onPause: () => void;
   onResume: () => void;
   buttonClassName?: string;
+  autoStartDraft?: boolean;
+  secondsUntilAutoStart?: number | null;
+}
+
+function formatCountdown(seconds: number): string {
+  const h = Math.floor(seconds / 3600);
+  const m = Math.floor((seconds % 3600) / 60);
+  const s = seconds % 60;
+  if (h > 0) return `${h}:${String(m).padStart(2, "0")}:${String(s).padStart(2, "0")}`;
+  return `${m}:${String(s).padStart(2, "0")}`;
 }
 
 export function CommissionerDraftControls({
@@ -18,8 +28,25 @@ export function CommissionerDraftControls({
   onPause,
   onResume,
   buttonClassName,
+  autoStartDraft,
+  secondsUntilAutoStart,
 }: CommissionerDraftControlsProps) {
   if (seasonStatus === "pre_draft") {
+    if (autoStartDraft && secondsUntilAutoStart !== null && secondsUntilAutoStart !== undefined && secondsUntilAutoStart > 0) {
+      return (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground font-mono tabular-nums">
+            Auto-starts in {formatCountdown(secondsUntilAutoStart)}
+          </span>
+          <Button variant="ghost" size="sm" className={buttonClassName} onClick={onStart}>
+            Start Now
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+      );
+    }
+    if (autoStartDraft && secondsUntilAutoStart === 0) {
+      return <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Starting…</span>;
+    }
     return (
       <Button className={buttonClassName} onClick={onStart}>
         Start Draft

app/components/league/settings/DraftSetupSection.tsx

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { TimerModeSelector } from "~/components/league/TimerModeSelector";
 import { DraftSpeedPicker } from "~/components/league/DraftSpeedPicker";
 import { OvernightPauseSettings } from "~/components/league/OvernightPauseSettings";
 import { StepperInput } from "~/components/league/StepperInput";
+import { Checkbox } from "~/components/ui/checkbox";
 import { SettingsSection, SettingsStatusPill } from "./SettingsSection";
 
 export function DraftSetupSection({
@@ -26,6 +27,8 @@ export function DraftSetupSection({
   onDraftDateChange,
   draftTime,
   onDraftTimeChange,
+  autoStartDraft,
+  onAutoStartDraftChange,
   timerMode,
   onTimerModeChange,
   draftSpeed,
@@ -51,6 +54,8 @@ export function DraftSetupSection({
   onDraftDateChange: (v: Date | undefined) => void;
   draftTime: string;
   onDraftTimeChange: (v: string) => void;
+  autoStartDraft: boolean;
+  onAutoStartDraftChange: (v: boolean) => void;
   timerMode: "chess_clock" | "standard";
   onTimerModeChange: (v: "chess_clock" | "standard") => void;
   draftSpeed: string;
@@ -150,6 +155,20 @@ export function DraftSetupSection({
               Set this before starting the draft room.
               {localTz && <> Times are in your local timezone ({localTz}).</>}
             </p>
+            {draftDate && draftTime && (
+              <div className="mt-4 flex items-center gap-3">
+                <Checkbox
+                  id="autoStartDraft"
+                  checked={autoStartDraft}
+                  onCheckedChange={(v) => onAutoStartDraftChange(v === true)}
+                  disabled={!canEditDraftRounds}
+                />
+                <Label htmlFor="autoStartDraft" className="font-normal cursor-pointer">
+                  Auto-start at scheduled time
+                </Label>
+              </div>
+            )}
+            <input type="hidden" name="autoStartDraft" value={draftDate && draftTime && autoStartDraft ? "on" : ""} />
           </div>
 
           <div className="space-y-8 rounded-lg border p-5 sm:p-6">

app/lib/wizard-state.ts

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export type WizardSnapshot = {
   draftRounds: number;
   draftDate: string;
   draftTime: string;
+  autoStartDraft: boolean;
   timerMode: "chess_clock" | "standard";
   draftSpeed: string;
   overnightMode: "none" | "league" | "per_user";
@@ -36,7 +37,9 @@ export function saveWizardState(snapshot: WizardSnapshot) {
 export function loadWizardState(): WizardSnapshot | null {
   try {
     const raw = ss()?.getItem(WIZARD_SS_KEY);
-    return raw ? (JSON.parse(raw) as WizardSnapshot) : null;
+    if (!raw) return null;
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as Partial<WizardSnapshot>;
+    return { autoStartDraft: false, ...parsed } as WizardSnapshot;
   } catch { return null; }
 }
 
@@ -55,6 +58,7 @@ export function buildFormDataFromSnapshot(s: WizardSnapshot): FormData {
   if (s.draftDate && s.draftTime) {
     fd.append("draftDateTime", new Date(`${s.draftDate}T${s.draftTime}`).toISOString());
   }
+  if (s.autoStartDraft) fd.append("autoStartDraft", "on");
   fd.append("draftTimerMode", s.timerMode);
   fd.append("draftSpeed", s.draftSpeed);
   fd.append("overnightPauseMode", s.overnightMode);

app/routes/api/__tests__/draft.start.test.ts

@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ vi.mock("~/lib/auth.server", () => ({
 vi.mock("~/models/commissioner", () => ({
   isCommissioner: vi.fn(),
 }));
-vi.mock("~/models/draft-timer", () => ({
+vi.mock("~/models/user", () => ({
-  deleteSeasonTimers: vi.fn(),
+  findUserById: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
-  initializeDraftTimers: vi.fn(),
+  getUserDisplayName: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(null),
 }));
-vi.mock("~/models/audit-log", () => ({
+vi.mock("~/services/draft-autostart", () => ({
-  logCommissionerAction: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+  startDraft: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ success: true }),
 }));
 
 // ── Fixtures ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -28,11 +28,6 @@ vi.mock("~/models/audit-log", () => ({
 const SEASON_ID = "season-1";
 const COMMISSIONER_ID = "commissioner-user-1";
 
-const mockDraftSlots = [
-  { id: "slot-1", seasonId: SEASON_ID, teamId: "team-1", draftOrder: 1 },
-  { id: "slot-2", seasonId: SEASON_ID, teamId: "team-2", draftOrder: 2 },
-];
-
 function makeSeason(overrides: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
   return {
     id: SEASON_ID,
@@ -56,7 +51,7 @@ function makeRequest() {
 
 // ── Tests ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-describe("draft.start action — timer initialization", () => {
+describe("draft.start action", () => {
   let mockDb: any;
   let mockSocketIO: any;
 
@@ -76,81 +71,67 @@ describe("draft.start action — timer initialization", () => {
     mockDb = {
       query: {
         seasons: { findFirst: vi.fn() },
-        draftSlots: { findMany: vi.fn() },
       },
-      update: vi.fn().mockReturnThis(),
-      set: vi.fn().mockReturnThis(),
-      where: vi.fn().mockReturnThis(),
     };
 
-    mockDb.query.draftSlots.findMany.mockResolvedValue(mockDraftSlots);
-
     const { database } = await import("~/database/context");
     vi.mocked(database).mockReturnValue(mockDb);
+
+    const { startDraft } = await import("~/services/draft-autostart");
+    vi.mocked(startDraft).mockResolvedValue({ success: true });
   });
 
-  describe("chess_clock mode", () => {
+  it("returns 401 when not authenticated", async () => {
-    it("initializes each team's timer to draftInitialTime", async () => {
+    const { auth } = await import("~/lib/auth.server");
-      mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(
+    vi.mocked(auth.api.getSession).mockResolvedValue(null);
-        makeSeason({ draftTimerMode: "chess_clock", draftInitialTime: 120, draftIncrementTime: 30 })
-      );
 
-      await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
+    const res = await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
-
+    expect(res.status).toBe(401);
-      const { initializeDraftTimers } = await import("~/models/draft-timer");
-      expect(vi.mocked(initializeDraftTimers)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        SEASON_ID,
-        expect.any(Array),
-        120 // draftInitialTime, not draftIncrementTime
-      );
-    });
-
-    it("uses the configured draftInitialTime (not the increment)", async () => {
-      mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(
-        makeSeason({ draftTimerMode: "chess_clock", draftInitialTime: 28800, draftIncrementTime: 3600 })
-      );
-
-      await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
-
-      const { initializeDraftTimers } = await import("~/models/draft-timer");
-      expect(vi.mocked(initializeDraftTimers)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        SEASON_ID,
-        expect.any(Array),
-        28800 // 8 hours initial bank
-      );
-    });
   });
 
-  describe("standard mode", () => {
+  it("returns 404 when season not found", async () => {
-    it("initializes each team's timer to draftIncrementTime (the per-pick time)", async () => {
+    mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(null);
-      mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(
-        makeSeason({ draftTimerMode: "standard", draftInitialTime: 120, draftIncrementTime: 30 })
-      );
 
-      await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
+    const res = await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
+    expect(res.status).toBe(404);
+  });
 
-      const { initializeDraftTimers } = await import("~/models/draft-timer");
+  it("returns 403 when user is not a commissioner", async () => {
-      expect(vi.mocked(initializeDraftTimers)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+    mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(makeSeason());
-        SEASON_ID,
+    const { isCommissioner } = await import("~/models/commissioner");
-        expect.any(Array),
+    vi.mocked(isCommissioner).mockResolvedValue(false);
-        30 // draftIncrementTime, not draftInitialTime
-      );
-    });
 
-    it("ignores draftInitialTime — uses only increment for the starting clock", async () => {
+    const res = await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
-      // Even though initialTime=600, standard mode should use increment=45
+    expect(res.status).toBe(403);
-      mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(
+  });
-        makeSeason({ draftTimerMode: "standard", draftInitialTime: 600, draftIncrementTime: 45 })
-      );
 
-      await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
+  it("calls startDraft and returns 200 on success", async () => {
+    mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(makeSeason());
 
-      const { initializeDraftTimers } = await import("~/models/draft-timer");
+    const res = await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
-      expect(vi.mocked(initializeDraftTimers)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+
-        SEASON_ID,
+    const { startDraft } = await import("~/services/draft-autostart");
-        expect.any(Array),
+    expect(vi.mocked(startDraft)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        45 // increment only — initial time is irrelevant in standard mode
+      expect.objectContaining({ seasonId: SEASON_ID })
-      );
+    );
-    });
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+  });
+
+  it("returns 400 when startDraft reports draft already started", async () => {
+    mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(makeSeason());
+    const { startDraft } = await import("~/services/draft-autostart");
+    vi.mocked(startDraft).mockResolvedValue({ success: false, error: "Draft already started or completed" });
+
+    const res = await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it("returns 400 when startDraft reports no draft slots", async () => {
+    mockDb.query.seasons.findFirst.mockResolvedValue(makeSeason());
+    const { startDraft } = await import("~/services/draft-autostart");
+    vi.mocked(startDraft).mockResolvedValue({ success: false, error: "No draft slots found for this season" });
+
+    const res = await action({ request: makeRequest(), params: {}, context: ctx });
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
   });
 });

app/routes/api/draft.start.ts

@@ -2,16 +2,16 @@ import { auth } from "~/lib/auth.server";
 import { database } from "~/database/context";
 import * as schema from "~/database/schema";
 import { eq } from "drizzle-orm";
-import { deleteSeasonTimers, initializeDraftTimers } from "~/models/draft-timer";
 import { isCommissioner } from "~/models/commissioner";
-import { logCommissionerAction } from "~/models/audit-log";
+import { findUserById, getUserDisplayName } from "~/models/user";
 import { getSocketIO } from "../../../server/socket";
-import { logger } from "~/lib/logger";
+import { startDraft } from "~/services/draft-autostart";
 
 import type { ActionFunctionArgs } from "react-router";
+
 export async function action(args: ActionFunctionArgs) {
   const { request } = args;
-  const session = await auth.api.getSession({ headers: args.request.headers });
+  const session = await auth.api.getSession({ headers: request.headers });
   const userId = session?.user.id ?? null;
 
   if (!userId) {
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ export async function action(args: ActionFunctionArgs) {
 
   const db = database();
 
-  // Get season details
   const season = await db.query.seasons.findFirst({
     where: eq(schema.seasons.id, seasonId),
   });
@@ -36,65 +35,27 @@ export async function action(args: ActionFunctionArgs) {
     return Response.json({ error: "Season not found" }, { status: 404 });
   }
 
-  // Check if user is commissioner
   if (!(await isCommissioner(season.leagueId, userId))) {
     return Response.json({ error: "Only commissioners can start the draft" }, { status: 403 });
   }
 
-  // Check if draft already started
+  const user = await findUserById(userId);
-  if (season.status === "draft" || season.status === "active" || season.status === "completed") {
+  const actorDisplayName = user ? (getUserDisplayName(user) ?? userId) : userId;
-    return Response.json({ error: "Draft already started or completed" }, { status: 400 });
-  }
 
-  // Validate draft slots exist before modifying any state
+  const result = await startDraft({
-  const draftSlots = await db.query.draftSlots.findMany({
-    where: eq(schema.draftSlots.seasonId, seasonId),
-  });
-
-  if (draftSlots.length === 0) {
-    return Response.json({ error: "No draft slots found for this season" }, { status: 400 });
-  }
-
-  // Update season status to draft
-  await db
-    .update(schema.seasons)
-    .set({
-      status: "draft",
-      currentPickNumber: 1,
-    })
-    .where(eq(schema.seasons.id, seasonId));
-
-  // Standard mode: each pick starts with exactly the increment (no carry-over bank).
-  // Chess clock mode: each team starts with the full initial time bank.
-  const initialTime =
-    season.draftTimerMode === "standard"
-      ? season.draftIncrementTime || 30
-      : season.draftInitialTime || 120;
-
-  // Reset timers for all teams
-  await deleteSeasonTimers(seasonId);
-  await initializeDraftTimers(
     seasonId,
-    draftSlots.map((slot) => ({ id: slot.teamId })),
-    initialTime
-  );
-
-  await logCommissionerAction({
-    seasonId,
-    leagueId: season.leagueId,
     actorUserId: userId,
-    action: "draft_started",
+    actorDisplayName,
-    details: { pickNumber: 1 },
+    db,
+    io: getSocketIO(),
   });
 
-  // Emit socket event
+  if (!result.success) {
-  try {
+    const status =
-    getSocketIO().to(`draft-${seasonId}`).emit("draft-started", {
+      result.error === "Draft already started or completed" ? 400
-      seasonId,
+      : result.error === "No draft slots found for this season" ? 400
-      currentPickNumber: 1,
+      : 500;
-    });
+    return Response.json({ error: result.error }, { status });
-  } catch (error) {
-    logger.error("Socket.IO error:", error);
   }
 
   return Response.json({ success: true });

app/routes/leagues/$leagueId.draft.$seasonId.tsx

@@ -297,6 +297,12 @@ export default function DraftRoom() {
     return () => clearInterval(id);
   }, []);
 
+  const secondsUntilAutoStart = useMemo(() => {
+    if (season.status !== "pre_draft" || !season.autoStartDraft || !season.draftDateTime) return null;
+    const diff = Math.ceil((new Date(season.draftDateTime).getTime() - nowForPauseCheck.getTime()) / 1000);
+    return diff > 0 ? diff : 0;
+  }, [season.status, season.autoStartDraft, season.draftDateTime, nowForPauseCheck]);
+
   const draftBoardUrl = `/leagues/${season.leagueId}/draft-board/${season.id}`;
   const roomClosureCountdown = useMemo(() => {
     if (!isDraftComplete) return null;
@@ -1342,6 +1348,8 @@ export default function DraftRoom() {
                     onStart={handleStartDraft}
                     onPause={handlePauseDraft}
                     onResume={handleResumeDraft}
+                    autoStartDraft={season.autoStartDraft}
+                    secondsUntilAutoStart={secondsUntilAutoStart}
                   />
                 </div>
               )}
@@ -1544,9 +1552,17 @@ export default function DraftRoom() {
               <div className="h-full flex flex-col">
                 <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4">
                   {isCommissioner && season.status === "pre_draft" && (
-                    <Button className="w-full min-h-[48px]" onClick={handleStartDraft}>
+                    <CommissionerDraftControls
-                      Start Draft
+                      seasonStatus={season.status}
-                    </Button>
+                      isDraftComplete={isDraftComplete}
+                      isPaused={isPaused}
+                      onStart={handleStartDraft}
+                      onPause={handlePauseDraft}
+                      onResume={handleResumeDraft}
+                      buttonClassName="w-full min-h-[48px]"
+                      autoStartDraft={season.autoStartDraft}
+                      secondsUntilAutoStart={secondsUntilAutoStart}
+                    />
                   )}
 
                   {userTeam && (

app/routes/leagues/$leagueId.settings.server.ts

@@ -520,6 +520,14 @@ export async function action(args: Route.ActionArgs) {
         seasonUpdates.draftTimerMode = draftTimerMode;
       }
 
+      // Determine effective draftDateTime after this save so we can validate autoStartDraft
+      const effectiveDateTime =
+        "draftDateTime" in seasonUpdates ? seasonUpdates.draftDateTime : season.draftDateTime;
+      const autoStartDraft = formData.get("autoStartDraft") === "on" && effectiveDateTime !== null;
+      if (autoStartDraft !== season.autoStartDraft) {
+        seasonUpdates.autoStartDraft = autoStartDraft;
+      }
+
       const overnightPauseMode = formData.get("overnightPauseMode") as "none" | "league" | "per_user" | null;
       if (overnightPauseMode && ["none", "league", "per_user"].includes(overnightPauseMode)) {
         if (overnightPauseMode !== season.overnightPauseMode) {

app/routes/leagues/$leagueId.settings.tsx

@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ export default function LeagueSettings({ loaderData, actionData }: Route.Compone
   const [draftTime, setDraftTime] = useState<string>(
     season?.draftDateTime ? format(new Date(season.draftDateTime), "HH:mm") : ""
   );
+  const [autoStartDraft, setAutoStartDraft] = useState<boolean>(season?.autoStartDraft ?? false);
 
   // Draft order state (separate form, separate dirty flag)
   const [draftOrderTeams, setDraftOrderTeams] = useState<string[]>(
@@ -249,6 +250,7 @@ export default function LeagueSettings({ loaderData, actionData }: Route.Compone
     setDraftRounds(season?.draftRounds || 20);
     setDraftDate(season?.draftDateTime ? new Date(season.draftDateTime) : undefined);
     setDraftTime(season?.draftDateTime ? format(new Date(season.draftDateTime), "HH:mm") : "");
+    setAutoStartDraft(season?.autoStartDraft ?? false);
     setHasUnsavedSettingsChanges(false);
   };
 
@@ -372,6 +374,8 @@ export default function LeagueSettings({ loaderData, actionData }: Route.Compone
                 onDraftDateChange={(v) => { setDraftDate(v); markDirty(); }}
                 draftTime={draftTime}
                 onDraftTimeChange={(v) => { setDraftTime(v); markDirty(); }}
+                autoStartDraft={autoStartDraft}
+                onAutoStartDraftChange={(v) => { setAutoStartDraft(v); markDirty(); }}
                 timerMode={timerMode}
                 onTimerModeChange={(v) => { setTimerMode(v); markDirty(); }}
                 draftSpeed={draftSpeed}

app/routes/leagues/$leagueId.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { Link, useSearchParams } from "react-router";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
 import type { Route } from "./+types/$leagueId";
 
-import { Link2 } from "lucide-react";
+import { Link2, TriangleAlert } from "lucide-react";
 import { Button } from "~/components/ui/button";
 import { GradientIcon } from "~/components/ui/GradientIcon";
 import { CommissionersPanel } from "~/components/league/CommissionersPanel";
@@ -173,6 +173,28 @@ export default function LeagueHome({ loaderData }: Route.ComponentProps) {
         </div>
       </div>
 
+      {isUserCommissioner &&
+        season?.status === "pre_draft" &&
+        season.autoStartDraft &&
+        !isDraftOrderSet &&
+        season.draftDateTime &&
+        new Date(season.draftDateTime).getTime() - Date.now() < 60 * 60 * 1000 && (
+        <div className="mb-6 flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-lg border border-orange-500/50 bg-orange-500/10 px-4 py-3 text-orange-700 dark:text-orange-400">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <TriangleAlert className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0" />
+            <span className="font-medium">Draft order not set.</span>
+            <span className="hidden text-sm sm:inline">
+              The draft is scheduled to auto-start soon but no draft order has been configured.
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          <Button asChild size="sm" variant="outline" className="shrink-0 border-orange-500/60 text-orange-700 hover:bg-orange-500/20 dark:text-orange-400">
+            <Link to={`/leagues/${league.id}/settings#draft-order`}>
+              Set Draft Order
+            </Link>
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       {season?.status === "draft" && (
         <div className="mb-6 flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-lg border border-yellow-500/50 bg-yellow-500/10 px-4 py-3 text-yellow-700 dark:text-yellow-400">
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">

app/routes/leagues/__tests__/draft-reset.test.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ const createMockSeason = (overrides: {
   draftRounds: 20,
   flexSpots: 0,
   draftDateTime: null,
+  autoStartDraft: false,
   draftInitialTime: 120,
   draftIncrementTime: 15,
   draftTimerMode: 'chess_clock' as const,

app/routes/leagues/__tests__/settings-update.test.ts

@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ const mockSeason = {
   draftRounds: 20,
   flexSpots: 0,
   draftDateTime: null,
+  autoStartDraft: false,
   draftInitialTime: 120,
   draftIncrementTime: 15,
   draftTimerMode: 'chess_clock' as const,

app/routes/leagues/new.tsx

@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ export async function action(args: Route.ActionArgs) {
   const templateId = formData.get("templateId");
   const draftRounds = formData.get("draftRounds");
   const draftDateTime = formData.get("draftDateTime");
+  const autoStartDraft = formData.get("autoStartDraft") === "on" && !!(typeof draftDateTime === "string" && draftDateTime);
   const draftSpeed = formData.get("draftSpeed");
   const draftTimerMode = (formData.get("draftTimerMode") as "chess_clock" | "standard") || "chess_clock";
 
@@ -222,6 +223,7 @@ export async function action(args: Route.ActionArgs) {
         : null,
       draftRounds: draftRoundsNum,
       draftDateTime: typeof draftDateTime === "string" && draftDateTime ? new Date(draftDateTime) : null,
+      autoStartDraft,
       draftInitialTime: draftInitialTimeNum,
       draftIncrementTime: draftIncrementTimeNum,
       draftTimerMode,
@@ -613,6 +615,8 @@ function Step3DraftSettings({
   setDraftDate,
   draftTime,
   setDraftTime,
+  autoStartDraft,
+  setAutoStartDraft,
   timerMode,
   setTimerMode,
   draftSpeed,
@@ -637,6 +641,8 @@ function Step3DraftSettings({
   setDraftDate: (v: string) => void;
   draftTime: string;
   setDraftTime: (v: string) => void;
+  autoStartDraft: boolean;
+  setAutoStartDraft: (v: boolean) => void;
   timerMode: "chess_clock" | "standard";
   setTimerMode: (v: "chess_clock" | "standard") => void;
   draftSpeed: string;
@@ -713,6 +719,19 @@ function Step3DraftSettings({
           This can be changed before the draft starts.
           {localTz && <> Times are in your local timezone ({localTz}).</>}
         </p>
+        {draftDate && draftTime && (
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-3 pt-1">
+            <Checkbox
+              id="autoStartDraft"
+              checked={autoStartDraft}
+              onCheckedChange={(v) => setAutoStartDraft(v === true)}
+            />
+            <Label htmlFor="autoStartDraft" className="font-normal cursor-pointer">
+              Auto-start at scheduled time
+            </Label>
+          </div>
+        )}
+        <input type="hidden" name="autoStartDraft" value={draftDate && draftTime && autoStartDraft ? "on" : ""} />
       </div>
 
       {/* Timer Mode */}
@@ -1025,6 +1044,7 @@ export default function NewLeague({ loaderData }: Route.ComponentProps) {
   const [draftRounds, setDraftRounds] = useState(20);
   const [draftDate, setDraftDate] = useState("");
   const [draftTime, setDraftTime] = useState("");
+  const [autoStartDraft, setAutoStartDraft] = useState(false);
   const [timerMode, setTimerMode] = useState<"chess_clock" | "standard">("chess_clock");
   const [draftSpeed, setDraftSpeed] = useState("standard");
   const [overnightMode, setOvernightMode] = useState<"none" | "league" | "per_user">("none");
@@ -1068,7 +1088,7 @@ export default function NewLeague({ loaderData }: Route.ComponentProps) {
     return buildFormDataFromSnapshot({
       leagueName, teamCount, joinAsPlayer, selectedTemplate,
       selectedSports: [...selectedSports],
-      draftRounds, draftDate, draftTime, timerMode, draftSpeed,
+      draftRounds, draftDate, draftTime, autoStartDraft, timerMode, draftSpeed,
       overnightMode, overnightStart, overnightEnd, overnightTimezone,
       scoringPreset, scoringRules, userTimezone,
     });
@@ -1114,7 +1134,7 @@ export default function NewLeague({ loaderData }: Route.ComponentProps) {
     saveWizardState({
       leagueName, teamCount, joinAsPlayer, selectedTemplate,
       selectedSports: [...selectedSports],
-      draftRounds, draftDate, draftTime, timerMode, draftSpeed,
+      draftRounds, draftDate, draftTime, autoStartDraft, timerMode, draftSpeed,
       overnightMode, overnightStart, overnightEnd, overnightTimezone,
       scoringPreset, scoringRules, userTimezone,
     });
@@ -1204,6 +1224,8 @@ export default function NewLeague({ loaderData }: Route.ComponentProps) {
                 setDraftDate={setDraftDate}
                 draftTime={draftTime}
                 setDraftTime={setDraftTime}
+                autoStartDraft={autoStartDraft}
+                setAutoStartDraft={setAutoStartDraft}
                 timerMode={timerMode}
                 setTimerMode={(mode) => {
                   setTimerMode(mode);

app/services/draft-autostart.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+import * as schema from "~/database/schema";
+import { eq } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { logger } from "~/lib/logger";
+
+import type { PostgresJsDatabase } from "drizzle-orm/postgres-js";
+import type { Server as SocketIOServer } from "socket.io";
+
+type Db = PostgresJsDatabase<typeof schema>;
+
+export interface StartDraftOptions {
+  seasonId: string;
+  actorUserId: string;
+  actorDisplayName: string;
+  db: Db;
+  io: SocketIOServer;
+}
+
+export interface StartDraftResult {
+  success: boolean;
+  error?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Core draft-start logic shared by the commissioner HTTP route and the
+ * auto-start timer. Accepts `db` directly (not via AsyncLocalStorage) so it
+ * works both inside React Router request context and in the server timer loop.
+ */
+export async function startDraft(options: StartDraftOptions): Promise<StartDraftResult> {
+  const { seasonId, actorUserId, actorDisplayName, db, io } = options;
+
+  const season = await db.query.seasons.findFirst({
+    where: eq(schema.seasons.id, seasonId),
+  });
+
+  if (!season) {
+    return { success: false, error: "Season not found" };
+  }
+
+  // Idempotency guard — status may have changed between the outer check and here
+  if (season.status !== "pre_draft") {
+    return { success: false, error: "Draft already started or completed" };
+  }
+
+  const draftSlots = await db.query.draftSlots.findMany({
+    where: eq(schema.draftSlots.seasonId, seasonId),
+  });
+
+  if (draftSlots.length === 0) {
+    return { success: false, error: "No draft slots found for this season" };
+  }
+
+  await db
+    .update(schema.seasons)
+    .set({
+      status: "draft",
+      currentPickNumber: 1,
+      draftStartedAt: new Date(),
+    })
+    .where(eq(schema.seasons.id, seasonId));
+
+  // Standard mode: each pick gets exactly the increment time.
+  // Chess clock mode: each team starts with the full initial bank.
+  const initialTime =
+    season.draftTimerMode === "standard"
+      ? season.draftIncrementTime || 30
+      : season.draftInitialTime || 120;
+
+  await db.delete(schema.draftTimers).where(eq(schema.draftTimers.seasonId, seasonId));
+
+  await db.insert(schema.draftTimers).values(
+    draftSlots.map((slot) => ({
+      seasonId,
+      teamId: slot.teamId,
+      timeRemaining: initialTime,
+    }))
+  );
+
+  await db.insert(schema.commissionerAuditLog).values({
+    seasonId,
+    leagueId: season.leagueId,
+    actorUserId,
+    actorDisplayName,
+    action: "draft_started",
+    affectedTeamIds: [],
+    details: { pickNumber: 1, autoStarted: actorUserId === "system" },
+  });
+
+  try {
+    io.to(`draft-${seasonId}`).emit("draft-started", {
+      seasonId,
+      currentPickNumber: 1,
+    });
+  } catch (err) {
+    // Socket emit failure is non-fatal; DB state is already committed
+    logger.error("[startDraft] Socket emit failed:", err);
+  }
+
+  return { success: true };
+}

app/test/fixtures/season.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export const mockSeason = {
   draftRounds: 20,
   flexSpots: 0,
   draftDateTime: new Date('2025-12-01T19:00:00'),
+  autoStartDraft: false,
   draftInitialTime: 120,
   draftIncrementTime: 15,
   currentPickNumber: 1,

database/schema.ts

@@ -206,6 +206,7 @@ export const seasons = pgTable("seasons", {
   draftRounds: integer("draft_rounds").notNull().default(20),
   flexSpots: integer("flex_spots").notNull().default(0),
   draftDateTime: timestamp("draft_date_time"),
+  autoStartDraft: boolean("auto_start_draft").notNull().default(false),
   draftInitialTime: integer("draft_initial_time").notNull().default(120), // seconds
   draftIncrementTime: integer("draft_increment_time").notNull().default(30), // seconds
   draftTimerMode: draftTimerModeEnum("draft_timer_mode").notNull().default("chess_clock"),

drizzle/0108_faulty_purple_man.sql

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+ALTER TABLE "seasons" ADD COLUMN "auto_start_draft" boolean DEFAULT false NOT NULL;

drizzle/meta/_journal.json

@@ -757,6 +757,13 @@
       "when": 1778868190284,
       "tag": "0107_outgoing_mikhail_rasputin",
       "breakpoints": true
+    },
+    {
+      "idx": 108,
+      "version": "7",
+      "when": 1778997704083,
+      "tag": "0108_faulty_purple_man",
+      "breakpoints": true
     }
   ]
 }

server/timer.ts

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 import * as schema from "~/database/schema";
-import { eq, and, asc, sql } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { eq, and, asc, sql, lte, isNotNull } from "drizzle-orm";
 import type { InferSelectModel } from "drizzle-orm";
 import { getSocketIO } from "./socket";
 import { executeAutoPick, calculatePickInfo } from "~/models/draft-utils";
 import { isInOvernightWindow, getOvernightResumeUTC } from "~/lib/overnight-pause";
 import { logger } from "./logger";
 import { db } from "./db";
+import { startDraft } from "~/services/draft-autostart";
 
 let timerInterval: NodeJS.Timeout | null = null;
 let timerTickRunning = false;
@@ -109,11 +110,50 @@ export function stopDraftTimerSystem(): void {
   }
 }
 
+async function checkAndAutoStartDrafts(): Promise<void> {
+  const io = getSocketIO();
+  const seasonsToStart = await db.query.seasons.findMany({
+    where: and(
+      eq(schema.seasons.status, "pre_draft"),
+      eq(schema.seasons.autoStartDraft, true),
+      isNotNull(schema.seasons.draftDateTime),
+      lte(schema.seasons.draftDateTime, new Date())
+    ),
+  });
+
+  for (const season of seasonsToStart) {
+    logger.log(`[Timer] Auto-starting draft for season ${season.id}`);
+    const result = await startDraft({
+      seasonId: season.id,
+      actorUserId: "system",
+      actorDisplayName: "System (auto-start)",
+      db,
+      io,
+    });
+    if (result.success) continue;
+    if (result.error === "Draft already started or completed") continue;
+
+    logger.error(`[Timer] Auto-start failed for season ${season.id}: ${result.error}`);
+
+    if (result.error === "No draft slots found for this season") {
+      // Disable auto-start to stop the retry loop. The commissioner will see
+      // the setting is now off and can re-enable it once the order is set.
+      await db
+        .update(schema.seasons)
+        .set({ autoStartDraft: false })
+        .where(eq(schema.seasons.id, season.id));
+      logger.log(`[Timer] Disabled autoStartDraft for season ${season.id} — no draft order set`);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Update all active draft timers
  * Called every second by the timer interval
  */
 async function updateDraftTimers(): Promise<void> {
+  await checkAndAutoStartDrafts();
+
   const io = getSocketIO();
 
   // Get all active drafts