> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dualship.run/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Delay Node

> Pause flow execution for a specified duration

The `delay` node pauses flow execution for a specified number of milliseconds. Use it for rate limiting, throttling, or simulating processing time.

## Configuration

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "wait",
  "type": "delay",
  "config": {
    "duration": 1000
  }
}
```

## Config Fields

| Field      | Type   | Required | Default | Description                       |
| ---------- | ------ | -------- | ------- | --------------------------------- |
| `duration` | number | Yes      | -       | Delay in milliseconds (max 30000) |

## Limits

* **Minimum**: Must be greater than 0
* **Maximum**: 30000ms (30 seconds) - values above this are capped

## Output

```json theme={null}
{
  "delayed_ms": 1000,
  "started_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  "ended_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:01Z"
}
```

| Field        | Type   | Description                      |
| ------------ | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| `delayed_ms` | number | Actual delay duration            |
| `started_at` | string | ISO timestamp when delay started |
| `ended_at`   | string | ISO timestamp when delay ended   |

## Examples

### Simple Delay

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "wait_1s",
  "type": "delay",
  "config": {
    "duration": 1000
  }
}
```

### Rate Limiting

Add delay between API calls to avoid rate limits:

```json theme={null}
[
  {
    "id": "fetch_first",
    "type": "http",
    "config": {
      "url": "https://api.example.com/data/1"
    }
  },
  {
    "id": "rate_limit_pause",
    "type": "delay",
    "config": {
      "duration": 500
    }
  },
  {
    "id": "fetch_second",
    "type": "http",
    "config": {
      "url": "https://api.example.com/data/2"
    }
  }
]
```

### Webhook Retry Backoff

```json theme={null}
[
  {
    "id": "retry_delay",
    "type": "delay",
    "config": {
      "duration": 2000
    }
  },
  {
    "id": "retry_webhook",
    "type": "http",
    "config": {
      "url": "{{webhook_url}}",
      "method": "POST",
      "body": "{{payload}}"
    }
  }
]
```

### Polling Interval

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "poll_interval",
  "type": "delay",
  "config": {
    "duration": 5000
  }
}
```

## Use Cases

### API Rate Limiting

When calling external APIs with rate limits, add delays between requests:

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "api_throttle",
  "type": "delay",
  "config": {
    "duration": 100
  }
}
```

### Simulated Processing

For testing or demo purposes:

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "simulate_processing",
  "type": "delay",
  "config": {
    "duration": 2000
  }
}
```

### Debouncing

Prevent rapid repeated actions:

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "debounce",
  "type": "delay",
  "config": {
    "duration": 300
  }
}
```

## Accessing Delay Output

```
{{wait.output.delayed_ms}}    -> 1000
{{wait.output.started_at}}    -> "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
{{wait.output.ended_at}}      -> "2024-01-15T10:30:01Z"
```

## Related

* [Loop Node](/nodes/loop) - Iterate with delays
* [Parallel Node](/nodes/parallel) - Run operations concurrently
* [HTTP Node](/nodes/http) - Make API calls with timing