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

# Delay

# Delay

The Delay node pauses the execution of a spell for a specified duration before allowing the flow to continue. It is useful for introducing intentional delays or timing intervals between actions in a spell.

## Inputs

* `flow` (required): The incoming flow that will be delayed.
* `duration` (float, default: 1): The duration of the delay in seconds.

## Outputs

* `flow`: The flow output after the specified delay has elapsed.

## Configuration

This node has no additional configuration options.

## Usage

1. Connect the `flow` input to the node preceding the Delay node in your spell.
2. Set the `duration` input to the desired delay time in seconds. The default value is 1 second if not specified.
3. Connect the `flow` output to the next node in your spell that should execute after the delay.

When the spell reaches the Delay node, execution will pause for the specified `duration` before continuing to the next connected node.

## Example

Here's an example of how to use the Delay node in a spell:

```markdown theme={null}
1. Start
2. HTTP Request
   URL: https://api.example.com/data
3. Delay
   duration: 5
4. Log
   message: Data received after 5 second delay
5. End
```

In this example, the spell makes an HTTP request to fetch some data. The Delay node is then used to pause execution for 5 seconds before logging a message and ending the spell. This introduces an intentional delay between the HTTP request and the logging statement.

## Best Practices

* Use the Delay node sparingly, as excessive delays can make your spells feel slow and unresponsive. Only introduce delays when absolutely necessary.
* Be mindful of the overall execution time of your spell when adding Delay nodes. Long running spells may hit timeouts or cause performance issues.
* Consider using the Delay node in combination with other time-based nodes like Cron Schedule or Interval to build powerful automations with precise timing control.

## Common Issues

* Forgetting to set the `duration` input will cause the Delay node to use the default value of 1 second, which may not be the intended behavior. Always double check your delay durations.
* Connecting the `flow` output of the Delay node back to its own `flow` input will create an infinite loop that will cause your spell to hang indefinitely. Avoid creating circular flows.