Never use "will" in the clause where you use "while/when/before/after/by the time/as soon as/if/unless".
1. "Never" is a strong word!
2. Since 'if' and 'unless' do not introduce time clauses, we can't conclude that only time clauses are included in the "rule" - only that the "rule" applies to certain subordinate adverbial clauses, usually, but not always, related to temporal relations. The list of subordinating conjunctions given is representative, but not complete.
3. "will" is not the only word not to be used in the subordinate clause in these cases. A more complete list is "will", "would", and "going to".
4. Examples:
Helen won't go unless Bill goes, too.
Helen won't go unless Bill will go, too. :(
Keep reading until you reach the end of the paragraph.
Keep reading until you're going to reach the end of the paragraph. :(
I'd better mail these packages before I forget.
I'd better mail these packages before I will forget. :(
Larry and Peter said they would stop by after they bought the tickets.
Larry and Peter said they would stop by after they would buy the tickets. :(
They would stop by after they had bought the tickets.
They would stop by after they would have bought the tickets. :(
5. Exceptions.
a. The rule does not apply to "when" as a question word.
When will you be home from work tonight?
When is Cheryl going to buy the car she likes so much?
b. The rule does not apply to "when" or "if" when they introduce an indirect question. (In these sentences, "whether" can replace "if".)
No one knows when an earthquake will occur.
I didn't know if I would feel like eating that early.
We needed to find out if George would help us.
c. The rule is relaxed after "before" in certain idiomatic expressions of will, i.e., willingness or willfulness -- expressions which combine volition with futurity. Note that there is sometimes a shade of exasperation expressed by the speaker. Both elements of the pairs shown are acceptable (in my opinion) in casual speech.
I've finally stopped the children from fighting,
but it won't be long before they'll be at it again.
but it won't be long before they're at it again.
Janice got in a car accident when she ran a red light.
It will be a long while before she'll try that again.
It will be a long while before she tries that again.
Ken gave me very bad advice,
but it was a long time before he would admit he was wrong.
but it was a long time before he admitted he was wrong.
It will be a cold day before I'll let my daughter marry that man!
It will be a cold day before I let my daughter marry that man!