> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.does.qa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.does.qa/test-steps/runner/pause.md).

# Pause

Pause waits for a fixed or dynamic number of seconds. Use it when timing is the only signal you have, but prefer element waits whenever the UI gives a reliable state to watch.

![Pause Test Step](https://app.does.qa/screenshots/node/action_wait_forSeconds.png)

## When to use it

* Add a short buffer when an animation has no Element to wait on.
* Delay before a screenshot when the page settles visually but leaves no assertable state.
* Prefer [Wait For Element To Be Displayed](/test-steps/runner/wait-for-element-to-be-displayed.md) or another element wait when the UI exposes one.

## Configure

### Basics

| Field       | What to set                                                                   |
| ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Type**    | `Fixed` (default) or `Dynamic`                                                |
| **Seconds** | For Fixed: 1 to 60. For Dynamic: text and/or [Values](/values/value-store.md) |

### Advanced

| Field                                 | What to set                                          |
| ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Status on fail**                    | [Failed Status](/test-step-options/failed-status.md) |
| **When should screenshots be taken?** | `Always` or `On Failures` (default)                  |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro tip:** Fixed seconds suit stable delays. Dynamic seconds read from the [Value Store](/values/value-store.md) when the wait length should change per run.
{% endhint %}

## Related

* [Wait For Element To Be Displayed](/test-steps/runner/wait-for-element-to-be-displayed.md)
* [Wait For Element Text](/test-steps/runner/wait-for-element-text.md)
* [Runner](/test-steps/runner.md)

**Tags:** `runner`, `wait`, `forSeconds`, `wait`, `time`, `sleep`, `pause`, `delay`, `state`