Wait

The Wait block pauses a workflow for a set time, then continues. Use it to space out actions, respect API rate limits, or give an external system time to finish. A short wait runs in line; a long one suspends the run and resumes later.

Configuration

Wait Amount

The duration to pause, as a positive number.

Unit

The time unit. For a short, in-line wait, choose Seconds or Minutes. With Async on, choose Minutes, Hours, or Days.

Async

Off, the run sleeps in line for the duration (up to 5 minutes). On, the run suspends and resumes after the delay, which is what lets a wait run for hours or days without holding the execution open. A suspended wait records when it will resume in <wait.resumeAt>.

Outputs

OutputWhat it is
<wait.status>waiting, completed, or cancelled
<wait.waitDuration>The wait duration, in milliseconds
<wait.resumeAt>ISO timestamp a suspended (async) wait resumes at

Examples

Space out API calls

A short wait between two calls keeps the workflow under an API's rate limit. The same shape works for polling: wait, then re-check an external job.

Send a delayed follow-up

With Async on, the run suspends for two days and resumes to send the follow-up, without holding the execution open in between.

Best Practices

  • Use a short in-line wait for seconds to a few minutes. Turn on Async for hours or days so the run doesn't stay open the whole time.
  • Remember waits extend the run. The wait counts toward total duration, which shows in the logs.
  • A wait is cancellable. Stopping the run cancels an active wait, and status reports cancelled.