diff --git a/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/client/ui/pause.rs b/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/client/ui/pause.rs
index 66d4648..0e84960 100644
--- a/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/client/ui/pause.rs
+++ b/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/client/ui/pause.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ use crate::{
     client::{audio::SoundSettings, control::CharacterInputEnabled},
     loading_assets::UIAssets,
     protocol::PlaySound,
+    utils::Cooldown,
 };
 use bevy::{color::palettes::css::BLACK, prelude::*};
 
@@ -26,9 +27,6 @@ struct VolumeValue(ProgressBar);
 #[derive(Resource)]
 struct PauseMenuSelection(ProgressBar);
 
-#[derive(Resource)]
-struct VolumeChangeCooldown(Timer);
-
 #[derive(Message)]
 struct VolumeChangeEvent {
     direction: f32,
@@ -108,10 +106,6 @@ fn setup(mut commands: Commands, assets: Res<UIAssets>, settings: Res<SoundSetti
     ));
 
     commands.insert_resource(PauseMenuSelection(ProgressBar::Music));
-    commands.insert_resource(VolumeChangeCooldown(Timer::from_seconds(
-        0.09,
-        TimerMode::Repeating,
-    )));
 }
 
 fn spawn_progress(bar: ProgressBar, value: u8, font: Handle<Font>) -> impl Bundle {
@@ -280,22 +274,15 @@ fn apply_volume_change(
     mut commands: Commands,
     selection: Res<PauseMenuSelection>,
     mut settings: ResMut<SoundSettings>,
-    mut cooldown: ResMut<VolumeChangeCooldown>,
-    time: Res<Time>,
+    mut cooldown: Cooldown<90>,
     mut events: MessageReader<VolumeChangeEvent>,
 ) {
     let Some(event) = events.read().last() else {
         return;
     };
 
-    // On first press, apply immediately and reset timer
-    if event.just_pressed {
-        cooldown.0.reset();
-    } else {
-        cooldown.0.tick(time.delta());
-        if !cooldown.0.just_finished() {
-            return;
-        }
+    if !cooldown.ready(event.just_pressed) {
+        return;
     }
 
     commands.trigger(PlaySound::VolumeChange);
diff --git a/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/cooldown.rs b/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/cooldown.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bfa6a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/cooldown.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+use bevy::{ecs::system::SystemParam, prelude::*};
+
+/// A cooldown timer that triggers immediately on first request, then throttles subsequent triggers.
+///
+/// Useful for input handling where you want immediate feedback on first action,
+/// but want to rate-limit continuous actions (like volume control).
+/// Automatically ticks with time, no manual `time` parameter needed.
+///
+/// # Type Parameters
+/// * `MILLIS` - The cooldown delay in milliseconds between triggers
+///
+/// # Example
+/// ```ignore
+/// fn handle_input(
+///     keyboard: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
+///     mut cooldown: Cooldown<50>, // 50ms between repeats
+///     mut volume: ResMut<Volume>,
+/// ) {
+///     let is_new = keyboard.just_pressed(KeyCode::ArrowUp);
+///     let is_active = keyboard.pressed(KeyCode::ArrowUp);
+///
+///     if is_active && cooldown.ready(is_new) {
+///         volume.0 += 0.01;
+///     }
+/// }
+/// ```
+#[derive(SystemParam)]
+pub struct Cooldown<'w, 's, const MILLIS: u64> {
+    timer: Local<'s, CooldownTimer<MILLIS>>,
+    time: Res<'w, Time>,
+}
+
+struct CooldownTimer<const MILLIS: u64> {
+    timer: Timer,
+}
+
+impl<const MILLIS: u64> Default for CooldownTimer<MILLIS> {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            timer: Timer::from_seconds((MILLIS as f32) / 1000.0, TimerMode::Repeating),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'w, 's, const MILLIS: u64> Cooldown<'w, 's, MILLIS> {
+    /// Check if the cooldown is ready to trigger.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `true` if:
+    /// - `reset` is true (immediate trigger and reset timer), or
+    /// - The cooldown timer has finished (subsequent triggers after delay)
+    ///
+    /// When `reset` is true, the timer is reset and returns immediately.
+    /// Otherwise, the timer is ticked automatically.
+    pub fn ready(&mut self, reset: bool) -> bool {
+        if reset {
+            self.timer.timer.reset();
+            true
+        } else {
+            self.timer.timer.tick(self.time.delta()).just_finished()
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[derive(Resource, Default)]
+    struct Counter(u32);
+
+    #[test]
+    fn cooldown_triggers_immediately_on_reset() {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins);
+        app.init_resource::<Counter>();
+
+        #[derive(Resource, Default)]
+        struct ShouldReset(bool);
+
+        fn increment_with_cooldown(
+            mut counter: ResMut<Counter>,
+            mut cooldown: Cooldown<50>,
+            should_reset: Res<ShouldReset>,
+        ) {
+            if cooldown.ready(should_reset.0) {
+                counter.0 += 1;
+            }
+        }
+
+        app.init_resource::<ShouldReset>();
+        app.add_systems(Update, increment_with_cooldown);
+
+        // First call with reset should trigger immediately
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<ShouldReset>().0 = true;
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 1);
+
+        // Without reset, should not trigger
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<ShouldReset>().0 = false;
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn cooldown_throttles_continuous_triggers() {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins);
+        app.init_resource::<Counter>();
+
+        #[derive(Resource, Default)]
+        struct ShouldReset(bool);
+
+        fn increment_with_cooldown(
+            mut counter: ResMut<Counter>,
+            mut cooldown: Cooldown<50>,
+            should_reset: Res<ShouldReset>,
+        ) {
+            if cooldown.ready(should_reset.0) {
+                counter.0 += 1;
+            }
+        }
+
+        app.init_resource::<ShouldReset>();
+        app.add_systems(Update, increment_with_cooldown);
+
+        // First call with reset triggers immediately
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<ShouldReset>().0 = true;
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 1);
+
+        // Continuous calls without reset should not trigger yet
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<ShouldReset>().0 = false;
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 1);
+
+        // Sleep for less than cooldown
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(40));
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 1);
+
+        // Sleep past cooldown - should trigger again
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(15));
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 2);
+
+        // Sleep past cooldown again - should trigger a third time
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(55));
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().resource::<Counter>().0, 3);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/mod.rs b/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/mod.rs
index 9a62426..964dadd 100644
--- a/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/hedz_reloaded/src/utils/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 pub mod auto_rotate;
 pub mod billboards;
+pub mod cooldown;
 pub mod debounce;
 pub mod explosions;
 pub mod observers;
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ pub mod squish_animation;
 pub mod trail;
 
 use bevy::prelude::*;
+pub use cooldown::Cooldown;
 pub use debounce::Debounce;
 pub(crate) use observers::global_observer;