Help Center

Wait / Delay Nodes

The Wait node lets you pause a workflow before the next step runs. This is useful when you want to delay a message, task, or other action by a specific amount of time.

What Wait / Delay Nodes Do

A Wait node pauses the workflow until the selected delay has passed. Once the delay ends, the workflow continues to the next node automatically.

Wait nodes are commonly used for:

• sending follow-up emails after a lead is created
• delaying reminder texts until later in the day
• spacing out workflow steps over several days
• waiting until a specific time after a trigger event

How to Add a Wait Node

1. Open the workflow builder.
2. Click the + button where you want to add a step.
3. Under Logic, select Wait.
4. Choose the delay type and amount.
5. Click Apply.
6. Save the workflow.

Standard Wait Options

In most workflows, the Wait node is based on the moment the workflow reaches that node. You can delay the workflow by:

• Minutes
• Hours
• Days

Example:

• Wait 30 minutes — the workflow continues 30 minutes later
• Wait 2 hours — the workflow continues 2 hours later
• Wait 3 days — the workflow continues 3 days later

Resume At for Day-Based Waits

When using a day-based wait, you may also see a Resume at option. This lets you choose the time of day when the workflow should continue after the delay.

For example:

• Wait 2 days
• Resume at 9:00 AM

In that case, the workflow waits two days and then continues at 9:00 AM.

Wait Limits

Standard waits have built-in limits depending on the unit you choose:

Appointment-Based Waits

If a workflow uses the Appointment Created trigger, the Wait node becomes appointment-aware. In that case, you can use:

• Wait before appointment
• Wait after appointment

These waits are based on the appointment’s scheduled time rather than the moment the workflow reaches the node.

Note: Appointment-based waits are covered in more detail in the Using Appointment-Based Triggers & Waits article.

How Wait Nodes Affect Workflow Runs

When a workflow reaches a Wait node, the run pauses until the delay ends. During that time, the workflow run may appear as:

• Waiting for delay — for normal waits
• Waiting for event — for certain event-based logic in other workflow types

Once the wait is over, the workflow continues automatically.

Holiday and Weekend Pause

If your account uses Holiday and Weekend Pause settings for workflow messaging, those settings can affect when email and text actions actually send after a wait ends.

For example, a workflow may finish waiting on Saturday, but the email or text may not send until the next allowed day and time.

Important: A Wait node controls when the workflow resumes. Separate account-level pause settings may still affect when a message is sent.

Common Uses for Wait Nodes

• wait 10 minutes before sending an immediate follow-up email
• wait 1 day before creating a follow-up task
• wait 3 days before sending a second nurture email
• wait until a specific morning time for better email timing
• delay actions before or after appointments

Best Practices

• Use shorter waits for urgent follow-up and longer waits for nurture workflows.
• Use Resume at when you want messages to send at a more predictable time of day.
• Keep the full workflow timing in mind when adding several waits in the same workflow.
• Test workflows with waits before publishing, especially when email or text timing matters.
• For appointment reminders, use appointment-based waits instead of standard waits whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a standard Wait node start counting?

It starts counting from the moment the workflow reaches the Wait node.

Can I wait for less than 10 minutes?

No. The minimum standard minute-based wait is 10 minutes.

Can I wait for more than 90 days?

No. The maximum standard day-based wait is 90 days.

What is the difference between a standard wait and an appointment-based wait?

A standard wait is based on when the workflow reaches the node. An appointment-based wait is based on the appointment’s scheduled time.

Does a Wait node guarantee that an email or text sends immediately after the delay ends?

Not always. If your account uses holiday or weekend pause settings, the workflow may resume but the message can still wait until the next allowed sending time.

If you need help using Wait nodes in workflows, contact support@leadcenter.ai.