I've no intent to detract from the proposed wish but I have a comment and a suggestion. First, I use looping extensively almost daily and for the reasons I mostly use, the looping feature is reliant on immediate startup when I hit F10.

I use it for quick reference when searching for alternate chord progressions, building chord progressions, auditioning verses, choruses, bridges, and songwriting. I don't see a situation the count-in is a benefit to any of those applications. The OP lists having time to get prepared with his instrument. Looking at his previous posts, it appears this wish is related to practice. So, the wish is certainly valid for that situation.

My suggestion to the wish is if implemented, this setting would be optional.

Note to loydb: You can have a count-in and loop currently in BIAB by using the Repeats Feature. The number of repeats allowed varies by the measures set to repeat due to the 255 bar limit but the program flags this if the total bars are exceeded. I tested 13 bars and 15 repeats were possible. This may be a suitable workaround for you until this wish is implemented.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Repeats.jpg (139.34 KB, 6 downloads)
13 Bar Repeat.jpg (39.39 KB, 6 downloads)

BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.