> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.nexrender.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# nx:layer-start-set

> Sets the start time of a layer

Controls when a layer begins playing in the timeline. This allows you to precisely time when elements appear in your composition.

## Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "type": "function",
  "name": "nx:layer-start-set",
  "params": {
    "layerName": "Intro Text",
    "value": 2.5
  }
}
```

## Parameters

<ParamField path="layerName" type="string" required>
  Name of the layer to modify
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="value" type="number" required>
  Start time value in seconds. This sets when the layer begins in the timeline.
</ParamField>

## Notes

* The start time is measured from the beginning of the composition
* Negative values will start the layer before the composition begins
* This affects when the layer becomes active in the timeline