---
title: "Timer Node"
slug: "timer-node"
description: "Learn how to use the Timer node to pause workflows, automate tasks, and enhance efficiency in your processes with practical examples and configurations."
tags: ["Node", "Workflow Builder"]
updated: 2025-12-01T18:23:55Z
published: 2025-12-09T16:46:27Z
canonical: "docs.unqork.io/timer-node"
---

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

# Timer Node

The **Timer node** pauses a workflow for a set amount of time. When the timer ends, the [workflow](/v1/docs/introduction-to-workflow) resumes. For example, you can add a Timer node to resume your workflow two minutes after a message is sent. After two minutes pass, the workflow resumes and continues to the next node in the workflow.

Here are some examples of when to use Timer node automation:

- Ingesting papers.
- Restarting a workflow following a submission failure.
- Sending an email confirmation receipt.
- Delaying a submission approval.

You'll find the Timer node in the list of nodes to the left of the [Workflow Builder](/v1/docs/introduction-to-workflow).

## Settings Menu Description

After adding a Timer node to your workflow, select it to open a **Settings Menu**. This menu displays as a blue menu bar, either above or below the node itself. The menu has the following options:

![User interface showing a timer labeled 'timer-1' with an edit option.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/timerNode.webp?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)

| **Setting** | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Edit** | Takes you to the Edit Timer Event window, where you can configure related settings. |
| **Delete** (**Down Arrow**) | This button removes the node from the workflow. |

### Edit Timer Event Drawer Description

The following settings are available in the **Edit Timer Event** drawer:

![Form to edit timer event with fields for label, path, and type selection.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/editTimerNode.webp?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)

| **Setting** | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Label** | The name of the node. By default, the Label displays as `timer-1`. The label you enter here is optional and displays below the node on the workflow canvas. Define your labels by associating them with the role of the node. |
| **Path** | The path of the node. By default, the Path displays as `timer-1`. A path is a unique identifier that other components can reference. |
| **Type** | The timer type you can select. |
| ↳ | **Relative** | Toggles the timer start time to **Relative**. A relative Timer Event repeats when an amount of time passes. For example, a relative Timer Event runs one time after a relative amount of time passes. > [!NOTE] > You can enter fractional units of time. For example, a relative time of 3.25 hours triggers every 195 minutes. |
| ↳ | **Time Amount** | Enter the amount of time. Time length is determined by the Time Unit setting. |
| **Time Unit** | Specify the Time Amount value’s unit type. Units include: - Minutes - Hours - Days - Weeks - Months - Years |
| **Exact** | Toggles the timer start time to **Exact**. An exact Timer Event repeats at a precise time of day on a frequency of daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. For example, an exact time of a Weekly event at 15:50 starts every seven days at 15:50. |
| ↳ | **Frequency** | Specify how often the event should trigger. Frequency units include: - **Daily**: Triggers every day at the specified time (UTC). - **Weekly**: Triggers once a week on the specified day and time (UTC). - **Monthly**: Triggers once a month on the specified date and time (UTC). - **Yearly**: Triggers once a month on the specified month, date, and time (UTC). |
| **Cron** | Toggles the timer to use a **cron expression**. Cron expressions can run tasks periodically at fixed times, dates, or intervals. > [!TIP] > To learn more about using cron expressions, view our [Introduction to Cron Expressions](/v1/docs/introduction-to-cron-expressions) article. |
| **Close** | Closes the Edit Timer Event drawer, returning your focus to the pool. |

## Demonstration of a Timer Node

In this example, set up a workflow to call modules related to credit score checks and rechecks. Using these modules, your end-user can submit their data. Add the Timer node to begin a task that sends a final recheck credit score.

> [!NOTE]
> This demonstration is for illustrative purposes only and cannot be replicated due to [Training](https://training.unqork.io/) environment security.

### Configure the Task Nodes

First, add four [Task nodes](/v1/docs/task-node) to the Authenticated swimlane. You can connect the Task nodes to your own modules as needed.

1. Drag and drop four **Task** nodes into the **Authenticated** swimlane.
2. Click **Edit** and configure each Task node as follows:

| **Label** | Path | Module |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Credit Check** | enablementlabcreditscorecheck | Enablement Lab: Credit Score Check |
| **Recheck Credit Score** | enablementlabcreditscorecheck | Enablement Lab: Credit Score Recheck |
| **Reviewed Score** | enablementlabfinalrecheckscore | Enablement Lab: Final Recheck Score |
| **Final Score** | enablementlabfinalresults | Enablement Lab: Final Results |
3. After editing each Task node, click **X** (Close).
4. Connect the output port (right) of the **Start** node to the input port (left) of the `Credit Check` **Task** node.
5. Connect the output port (right) of the `Recheck Credit Score` **Task** node to the input port (left) of the `Credit Check` **Task** node.

> [!NOTE]
> You'll connect your remaining Task nodes at a later time.

### Configure the Exclusive Gateway Node

Add an [Exclusive Gateway](/v1/docs/exclusive-gateway-node) node to split your workflow for end-users checking their credit score. The workflow continues for your end-users who want to wait to recheck their score. The workflow ends for end-users who want their final score only.

1. Drag and drop an **Exclusive Gateway** node in the **Authenticated** swimlane.
2. Click **Edit**.
3. In the **Label** field, enter `Recheck?`.
4. Click **X** (Close).
5. Connect the output port (right) of the `Recheck Credit Score` **Task** node to the input port (left) of the `Recheck?` **Exclusive Gateway** node.

### Configure the Timer Node

Add a Timer node to send a final recheck of your end-user's credit score. In this case, you'll set up the Timer node to recheck your end-user's credit score after one minute.

1. Drag and drop a **Timer** node in the **Authenticated** swimlane.
2. Click **Edit**.
3. In the **Label** field, enter `Wait To Recheck`.
4. In the **Path** field, enter `timer-1`.
5. From the **Type** selection, select **Relative**.
6. In the **Time Amount** field, enter `1`.
7. In the **Time Unit** field, enter `Minutes`. [![Editing a timer event with label, path, and time settings in a user interface.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/timerNodeConfigure.webp?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/Timer%20node%20config1.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)
8. Click **X** (Close).

### Configure the Exclusive Gateway Node With Gateway Links

When you connect an [Exclusive Gateway](/v1/docs/exclusive-gateway-node) node to another node, the connector becomes a Gateway link. This link is where you enter the logic. So, if your end-user answers **Yes** in the Recheck Credit Score module, they are directed to re-enter their information and recheck their score. When your end-user clicks **Next** to resubmit, the submission pauses for one minute and then displays the final credit score.

When the workflow resumes, your end-user sees the Reviewed Score Task module to view their score. If your end-user answers **No**, they proceed to the Final Score Task node. There, they see their final credit score.

Add and configure the Exclusive Gateway node:

1. Drag and drop an **Exclusive Gateway** node in the **Authenticated** swimlane. Position the node after the `Recheck Credit Score` **Task** node.
2. Click **Edit**.
3. In the **Label** field, enter `Yes`.
4. Click **X** (Close).
5. Connect the output port (right) of the `Recheck?` **Exclusive Gateway** node to the input port (left) of the `Wait To Recheck` **Timer** node. This connector becomes a Gateway Link.
6. Connect the output port (right) of the `Recheck?` **Exclusive Gateway** node to the input port (left) of the `Final Score` **Task** node. This connector becomes a Gateway Link.
7. **Edit** your Gateway Links as follows:

| **Gateway Link** | Label | Default | Logic |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Recheck? Gateway to Wait To Recheck** | Yes | Off | `recheckCreditScore="yes"` |
| **Recheck? Gateway to Final Score** | No | On |  |
8. Click **X** (Close) after editing each Exclusive Gateway link.
9. Connect the output port (right) of the `Wait To Recheck` **Timer** node to the input port (left) of the `Reviewed Score` **Task** node.

### Configure the End Nodes

1. Drag and drop two **End** nodes into the **Authenticated** swimlane.
2. Select the first **End** node.
3. Click **Edit**.
4. In the **Label** field, enter `End-1`.
5. Click **X** (Close).
6. Connect the output port (right) of the `Reviewed Score` **Task** node to the input port (left) of the `End-1` **End** node.
7. Select the second **End** node.
8. Click **Edit**.
9. In the **Label** field, enter `End-2`.
10. Connect the output port (right) of the `Final Score` **Task** node to the input port (left) of the `End-2` **End** node.
11. Click **X** (Close).
12. Click **Save...**.
13. Click **Save**.

Your completed workflow looks like the following:

[![Flowchart illustrating the credit check process with recheck options and final scores.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/timerNodeWorkflow.webp?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/Timer%20node%20config%20complete.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)

Preview your workflow. Navigate the workflow using the pathway that contains the Timer node. Express view displays a screen similar to the image below:

![Unqork platform notification indicating that the submission has been paused.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/timerNodePause.webp?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T11%3A29%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T12%3A29%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=m5ELNuNrNnSD%2Bd7SKi1VN3gX3HaGC%2FyHd1gxf1gFweI%3D)

After the Timer node completes, the next node in the workflow triggers.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is a standard, globally-accepted timezone used to regulate clocks and time around the world.

**Cron** is a time-based job scheduler in Unix-like operating systems that allows users to schedule commands or scripts to run automatically at specific times or intervals. These scheduled tasks, called "cron jobs," can be used for routine system maintenance like backups, software updates, or running custom scripts to perform tasks like deleting old files or sending out email notifications.

End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product.