Delays & Timing Rules

This guide shows how to configure delay blocks and timing rules in Sender automation workflows to control when contacts proceed to the next step.

Where to Find This Setting

In the Sender dashboard, go to: Automations (left sidebar) → select the workflow you want to edit → the workflow opens in the visual builder. Click any existing Define delay block on the canvas, or click a + icon between steps and select Delay from the ADD A NEW STEP menu. The Delay Setup panel opens on the right side of the screen.

Steps to Configure Delays & Timing Rules

Step 1 — Open the Delay Setup Panel

Click the Define delay block in your workflow. The Delay Setup panel appears on the right. To add a new delay, click the + icon between any two steps and select Delay from the step menu (alongside Condition, Email, SMS, Action, and Split). You can optionally enter a label in the DELAY TITLE (OPTIONAL) field to identify the block in your workflow.

Step 2 — Select a Delay Type

Open the WAIT FOR dropdown and choose one of three delay types:

• Time delay — pauses the workflow for a fixed duration (e.g., 2 days, 4 hours).
• Specific date & time — pauses the workflow until a specific calendar date and time.
• Custom date field — pauses the workflow relative to a date stored in a subscriber's custom field (e.g., a birthday or renewal date).

Step 3 — Configure the Delay Duration

The fields that appear depend on the delay type selected in Step 2. For Time delay: Enter a number in the OF field and select a unit from the SELECT TIME PERIOD UNIT dropdown — Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, or Months. Toggle SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS to restrict when the workflow resumes. The advanced panel exposes RESUME FLOW ON day-of-week selectors (Sun through Sat) and a TIME field with hour, minute, and AM/PM inputs. For Specific date & time: Click the Choose date & time field to open a calendar picker. Select a date and set the time using the hour and minute inputs below the calendar. For Custom date field: Select a field from the CUSTOM DATE FIELD dropdown, then choose a timing rule from the UNTIL dropdown — Before, After, or Exact time. If you select Before or After, enter an offset number and unit (Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, or Months). Exact time resumes the workflow at the precise date stored in the field.

Step 4 — Save the Delay Block

Click Save to apply the delay configuration. The block label on the canvas updates to show the configured wait duration (e.g., "Wait 2 Days"). If advanced settings are enabled, the day-of-week and time restrictions also take effect.

What Happens After You Save

After saving, the delay applies to new contacts entering the block. Contacts already waiting in a previously configured delay continue under the original timing. The workflow status remains Draft or Active unless you change it manually. The Completion indicator in the top-right corner of the builder updates to reflect the configured step.

Common Issues

Contacts are not progressing past the delay → The delay duration may still be active. Verify the OF value and SELECT TIME PERIOD UNIT match your intended wait period. For Specific date & time, confirm the selected date has not already passed.

Emails are sending at unexpected times → Advanced settings may be restricting delivery days. Toggle SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS and check which days are selected under RESUME FLOW ON and what TIME is set.

Custom date field delay is not working → The subscriber's custom date field may be empty or improperly formatted. Confirm the correct field is selected in the CUSTOM DATE FIELD dropdown and that subscribers have valid date values.

Delay block still shows "Define delay" → The block was not saved. Click the block to open Delay Setup, complete all required fields, and click Save.

FAQs

Can I change a delay after activation?

Yes. Click the delay block, update the settings, and click Save. Changes apply only to new contacts entering the block.

What time units are available for Time delay? Five units: Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, and Months.

What do the advanced settings control?

The RESUME FLOW ON day selectors restrict the workflow to resume only on chosen days. The TIME field sets the exact hour and minute the workflow should continue. This is useful for ensuring contacts proceed during business hours or specific days.

Do existing contacts follow updated delay settings?

No. Contacts already waiting in the delay block continue under the timing that was active when they entered it.

Can I use multiple delay blocks in a row?

Yes. Add additional Delay blocks by clicking the + icon after any step and selecting Delay. Each block applies its own independent wait period.

What happens if a Specific date & time has already passed?

Contacts entering the delay block after the configured date has passed will proceed to the next step immediately.