Pause & Resume Node

Pause & Resume Node

The Pause & Resume node is used to pause a workflow and resume it once the specified conditions are met.

It supports two major scenarios:

• Time-based Waiting: Pause execution for a specific duration or until a specified time.
• Human interaction: Pause execution until a user submits a form, cancels it, or the form times out.

Resume Method

The Pause & Resume node supports multiple resume methods:

Associated Form

When you select a form-based resume method, you’ll need to associate a form with it.

Two methods are currently supported:

• Select a form created by an upstream Interactive Form node.
• Create a new form directly within the Pause & Resume node.

If the form requires complex fields, layouts, or access verification configured in advance, you can first create it using the Interactive Form node, then reference it in the Pause & Resume node. For simple data collection, it can be created directly within the Pause & Resume node.

Timeout Limit

Form-based resume methods support timeout configuration of up to 72 hours.

• If the user submits the form within the timeout period, the workflow enters the Completed branch.
• If the timeout is exceeded, the workflow enters the Timeout branch.

Branches & Subsequent Paths

The Pause & Resume node routes the workflow to different branches based on the actual result.

Output Variables

The output variables depend on the resume method you select.

• Time-based methods (After Duration or At Scheduled Time): typically produce no form output variables.
• Form-based methods (Show Form in Chat or Respond via Form Link): once the user submits the form, the field values become available as output variables for downstream nodes to reference.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Collecting Additional Information in the Current Conversation

In a customer support workflow, a user reports a device issue but does not provide the device model or screenshots.

Here’s how the workflow can be designed:

1. The AI detects that required information is missing.
2. An Interactive Form is generated with fields for device model, issue description, and contact information.
3. In the Pause & Resume node, select Show Form in Chat as the resume method.
4. The user fills out and submits the form in the chat.
5. The workflow resumes and continues processing using the submitted field values.

This approach works best when the user needs to provide information right away.

Example 2: Approval via a Form Link

After an employee submits a leave request, it goes to their supervisor for approval.

Here's how the workflow can be designed:

1. The workflow generates an approval form.
2. The form link is sent to the supervisor via email or Slack.
3. In the Pause & Resume node, select Respond via Form Link as the resume method.
4. The workflow pauses and waits for the supervisor to respond.
5. The supervisor opens the link, approves or rejects the request, and submits the form.
6. The workflow resumes.
7. A IF/ELSE node then routes the workflow based on the supervisor’s approval decision.

This approach is a good fit for manual approval processes that are cross-channel, asynchronous, and long-running.