> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.spara.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.spara.com/agents/workflows/steps/wait.md).

# Wait Step

The **Wait** step pauses a lead's progression through the workflow for a fixed duration before continuing to the next step.

<figure><img src="/files/f3Do7vFTnmbHN39DUOMY" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Wait step configuration panel.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Configuration

Set the **duration** and **unit**:

* **Minutes**: e.g., 30 minutes
* **Hours**: e.g., 4 hours
* **Days**: e.g., 2 days

The minimum duration is 1 unit (1 minute, 1 hour, or 1 day). The maximum is **30 days**.

{% hint style="info" %}
For scheduling actions at a specific clock time rather than a relative delay, use the [Time of Day Step](/agents/workflows/steps/time-of-day.md) instead.
{% endhint %}

## Common Patterns

{% columns %}
{% column %}
**Give leads time to act**

Place a Wait before a follow-up step. For example: send an email, wait 2 days, then call phone if no reply.
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
**Space out outreach**

Avoid contacting leads too frequently by adding Wait steps between Send Email, Send Text, and Call Phone steps.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

## Behavior During Unpublish/Republish

If a workflow is unpublished while a lead is mid-wait, that lead's timer is paused. When the workflow is republished, the timer resumes from where it left off.


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