Sequence timers control the timing and order of every step in your automation builder. When timers are configured correctly, your contacts move through each communication or process step at exactly the right moment — whether that's an hour after signup, three days after a purchase, or the following Monday morning. When timers are missing or misconfigured, contacts can skip steps entirely, which means emails go unsent, tasks go uncreated, and follow-ups fall through the cracks.

This article explains how sequence timers behave under four conditions: when a timer is configured, when a timer is unconfigured, when communication or process steps are unfinished, and when no timer exists between steps. Understanding these behaviors will help you build reliable automations and troubleshoot unexpected contact movement in your sequences.

What Are Sequence Timers?

Sequence Timers refers to a variety of different types of timers available in a sequence in an automation. The available timers are:

• Delay Timers
• Date Timers
• Field Timers
• Appointment Timers

What Happens When a Sequence Timer Is Not Configured

Sequence timers must be properly configured in order for your contacts to flow correctly through the sequence.

When Communication or Process Steps Are Unfinished

If all of the sequence timers are configured, but some of the communication/process pieces are not configured or marked as ready, the sequence will skip the unfinished pieces and proceed to the next ready object.

Connecting Two Timers Back to Back

While the automation builder allows you to connect a timer to another timer, this is usually not necessary. One timer between objects provides many flexible scheduling options.

When No Timer Exists Between Steps

If there are no timers between communication/process in a sequence, the communication/process will run immediately. Note: This is not recommended or your customers will receive multiple communications rapidly.

 FAQ

Can I connect two timers to each other in a sequence? A: Yes, the automation builder allows you to connect a timer directly to another timer. However, this configuration does not produce useful results. A single timer placed between two communication or process steps gives you all the scheduling flexibility you need.

What happens if I publish a sequence before all steps are configured? A: If a timer is unconfigured, contacts will stop at that timer and skip every communication or process step that follows it. If a timer is configured but a step is not marked as ready, the sequence skips that step and moves to the next ready object. Review all timers and steps before publishing your sequence.

Is it okay to run a sequence with no timers? A: Running a sequence without timers between steps causes all communication and process steps to execute immediately and back to back. This is not recommended, as your contacts will receive multiple communications in rapid succession.