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The Wait block allows you to pause the conversation for a specified duration, creating natural conversation rhythm and controlling message timing. This is useful for emphasizing important messages, creating dramatic pauses, or ensuring users have time to read content before proceeding to the next step.
This should be used wisely. For general typing speed adjustments, use the Typing emulation settings instead.

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Configuration Options

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Timing Control

  • Seconds to Wait: Specify the exact number of seconds to pause
  • Variable Support: Use variables to create dynamic wait times based on conditions
  • Flexible Duration: Accept decimal values for precise timing control
  • Real-time Preview: See the effect immediately during bot testing

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Settings

  • Pause the Flow: Control whether to interrupt the natural block processing flow
  • Processing Control: Decide when long-running actions should be preceded by messages
  • User Experience: Balance between natural conversation flow and technical requirements

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Features

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Natural Conversation Pacing

  • Message Emphasis: Add pauses after important announcements
  • Reading Time: Give users adequate time to process complex information
  • Dramatic Effect: Create suspense or emphasis in conversation flow
  • Rhythm Control: Maintain natural conversation timing

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Dynamic Wait Times

Use variables to create contextual wait times:
  • User-based Timing: Adjust pauses based on user preferences
  • Content-based Delays: Longer waits for complex information
  • Conditional Pauses: Different timing based on conversation state

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Flow Management

  • Processing Control: Manage when messages appear relative to background processes
  • Synchronization: Coordinate timing with external system responses
  • User Experience: Prevent overwhelming users with rapid-fire messages

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Advanced Features

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Contextual Timing

Short message: 1-2 seconds
Medium message: 3-4 seconds
Long content: 5+ seconds
Variable timing: {{Wait Time}} seconds

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Flow Interruption Control

The “Pause the flow” option provides granular control:
  • Standard Flow: Bot processes all blocks between inputs continuously
  • Paused Flow: Forces a break to display messages before continuing
  • Long-running Actions: Show status messages before time-consuming operations

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Integration with Other Blocks

  • Pre-redirect Pauses: Ensure users read final messages before redirects
  • API Call Delays: Show loading messages before external API calls
  • Form Submission: Pause before processing to show confirmation messages
  • Error Handling: Controlled timing for error message sequences

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Variable-Based Timing

Create intelligent wait systems: 
Wait Time Calculation:
- Simple message: {{Base Wait Time}}
- Complex message: {{Base Wait Time}} * 2
- User preference: {{User Reading Speed}}
- Content length: {{Message Length}} / 10

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Best Practices

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Timing Guidelines

  • Brief Pauses: 1-2 seconds for emphasis or natural conversation flow
  • Medium Pauses: 3-5 seconds for important information absorption
  • Longer Pauses: 5+ seconds only for critical content or dramatic effect
  • Avoid Excessive Waits: Don’t exceed 10 seconds without clear justification

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User Experience Considerations

  • Mobile Users: Consider that mobile users may switch apps during long pauses
  • Attention Span: Respect user attention and avoid unnecessary delays
  • Context Sensitivity: Adjust timing based on conversation urgency
  • Cultural Factors: Consider cultural differences in conversation pacing

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Strategic Placement

  • After Announcements: Pause after important information delivery
  • Before Redirects: Give users time to read final messages
  • Between Topics: Create natural breaks between conversation sections
  • Error Recovery: Use pauses to let users process error information

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Performance Optimization

  • Server Resources: Long waits don’t consume additional server resources
  • User Sessions: Consider session timeout implications for very long waits
  • Analytics Impact: Factor in wait times when analyzing conversation metrics
  • Testing Efficiency: Use shorter waits during development and testing

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Example Use Cases

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Information Emphasis

Bot: "Your order has been confirmed! 🎉"
Wait: 2 seconds
Bot: "You'll receive a confirmation email shortly."

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Pre-redirect Timing

Bot: "Thanks for completing our survey!"
Wait: 3 seconds
Bot: "Redirecting you to our special offers page..."
Wait: 2 seconds
Redirect: to offers page

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Processing Notifications

Bot: "Processing your request..."
Wait: 2 seconds (with pause flow enabled)
Script: Perform API call
Bot: "Processing complete! Here are your results:"

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Dramatic Conversation Flow

Bot: "The results are in..."
Wait: 3 seconds
Bot: "You scored 95%! Congratulations! 🎉"

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Troubleshooting

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Common Timing Issues

  • Too Short: Users miss important information due to insufficient reading time
  • Too Long: Users lose engagement or think the bot is broken
  • Inconsistent: Varying wait times without clear reasoning confuse users
  • Context Mismatch: Formal timing in casual conversations (or vice versa)
  • Invalid Values: Variables containing non-numeric values cause errors
  • Negative Numbers: Negative wait times default to zero seconds
  • Decimal Precision: Very precise decimals may not work as expected
  • Empty Variables: Undefined variables may cause unexpected behavior

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Flow Control Issues

  • Pause Timing: Incorrect pause flow settings affect message sequencing
  • Block Processing: Long-running actions may not respect pause settings
  • Session Timeouts: Very long waits may cause session expiration
  • User Abandonment: Extended pauses may cause users to leave conversation

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Platform-Specific Challenges

  • Mobile Switching: Users switching apps during waits may miss subsequent messages
  • Network Issues: Slow connections may compound wait time effects
  • Browser Behavior: Different browsers may handle timing differently
  • Embedded Environments: Wait behavior may vary in iframe or embedded contexts
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