# Delay

Action `hourglass`

`action.delay`

Pause workflow execution for a specified number of seconds. The incoming payload passes through unmodified after the delay completes. Useful for rate-limiting API calls, waiting for external processes, or adding timing between sequential actions.

## Ports

Direction | Name | Data Type | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
Input | Input | Any | Incoming payload (passed through)
Output | Output | Any | Same payload after delay

## Configuration

Field | Type | Default | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
seconds | Number | `1` | Number of seconds to pause execution

## Output Variables

Passthrough — all upstream variables are inherited unchanged.

## Example

Rate-limit API calls in a loop: