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> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.meetgail.com/platform/workflows/node-reference/logic-and-flow/delay/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.meetgail.com/_mcp/server.

# Delay

> Pauses a run for a set amount of time or until a specific moment.

The Delay node puts a workflow on hold. You can pause for a fixed amount of time,
such as one day, or wait until a specific date and time. The pause is reliable,
so the run picks up right where it left off even if it spans hours or days.

## When to use it

* You want to wait before a follow-up, like pausing a day after a quote before
  checking in with the customer.
* You want to hold a run until a scheduled moment, such as a renewal date.
* You want to space out steps so they do not all happen at once.

## Inputs

| Field         | What it's for                                                             | Example                 |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Wait mode     | Choose whether to pause for a duration or until a specific date and time. | Duration                |
| Amount        | How long to wait when using a duration.                                   | 1 day                   |
| Date and time | The moment to wait for when waiting until a date.                         | A policy's renewal date |

A pause can be up to 14 days long. When you wait until a date, that moment must
be in the future when the node runs.

## Outputs

The Delay node produces no value. It resumes the run once the wait is over.

## Example

After sending Sarah Chen an initial quote, an agency's workflow uses a Delay node
to wait one day before the next step, which sends a friendly follow-up message.
Because the pause is reliable, the follow-up goes out on schedule even though the
workflow sat idle overnight.

![The Delay node configuration panel, showing the duration mode set to one day.](/_fern-img/953722f97e4f0f703dba45f7e31ca18362fe2c3f7fc3afa698b99ae011f0aec3.webp)

> **Note**
>
> When you wait until a date that comes from an earlier step, make sure that
> moment is still in the future by the time the run reaches the Delay. A date
> that has already passed will fail, so add a fallback path if that is possible.

## Related nodes

#### [Start](/platform/workflows/node-reference/logic-and-flow/start)

Trigger a workflow on a recurring schedule instead of pausing mid-run.

#### [For Each](/platform/workflows/node-reference/logic-and-flow/for-each)

Repeat a set of steps for every item in a list.

> Documentation for Gail, the AI platform for financial services. Learn how to set up GailGPT and Gail Agent to automate customer communications for insurance, banking, and finance.