Delay

The Delay node allows you to pause workflow execution for a specified amount of time or until a specific date and time. This gives you control over the timing and pacing of your automated actions.

Instead of everything happening instantly, you can introduce strategic pauses β€” making your automation feel more natural.

How the Delay Node Works

The Delay node offers two ways to control timing in your workflows:

  • Wait for a duration: Pause the workflow for a specific amount of time from when the node is reached. You can set delays in:

    • Seconds – For very short pauses (1-59 seconds)

    • Minutes – For short to medium delays (1-60 minutes)

    • Hours – For longer delays (1-24+ hours)

  • Schedule for a specific date & time: Pause the workflow until a particular moment arrives. For example, "Resume this workflow on December 15th at 9:00 AM." This is perfect for scheduling future actions or coordinating with specific events.

Use cases

  • Follow-up sequences - Wait 5 minutes before sending a follow-up email.

  • Natural response timing - Delay social media responses to look more natural.

  • Scheduled reports - Delay until 9 AM the next morning to send a summary report.

Pro tip: Combine Delays with Signals. For example, delay 24 hours after detecting a competitor mention, then send an executive summary.