Skip to main content
HITL timeouts set a deadline for human responses. When the timeout expires, the workflow auto-resolves the pending requirement based on the on_timeout policy. 
from agno.workflow import Workflow
from agno.workflow.step import Step
from agno.workflow.types import OnTimeout
from agno.db.sqlite import SqliteDb

workflow = Workflow(
    name="timeout_workflow",
    db=SqliteDb(db_file="workflow.db"),
    steps=[
        Step(
            name="draft_email",
            agent=draft_agent,
            requires_output_review=True,
            output_review_message="Review the draft (auto-approves in 5 minutes)",
            hitl_timeout=300,
            on_timeout=OnTimeout.approve,
        ),
        Step(name="send_email", agent=send_agent),
    ],
)
Timeout is checked at continue_run() time. There is no background timer. If the timeout has elapsed when continue_run() is called, the requirement is auto-resolved.

​
Parameters

ParameterTypeDefaultDescription
hitl_timeoutintNoneSeconds before auto-resolving. None = no timeout
on_timeoutOnTimeoutNoneAction when timeout expires

​
OnTimeout Options

ValueBehavior
OnTimeout.approveAuto-confirm the output
OnTimeout.skipSkip the step
OnTimeout.cancelCancel the workflow

​
Timeout Flow

run_output = workflow.run("Draft an email about the team lunch")

if run_output.is_paused:
    for req in run_output.steps_requiring_output_review:
        print(f"Draft: {req.step_output.content}")
        print(f"Timeout at: {req.timeout_at}")
        print(f"On timeout: {req.on_timeout}")

    # If called after timeout expires, auto-resolves based on on_timeout
    run_output = workflow.continue_run(run_output)
The timeout_at datetime is available on the StepRequirement for frontend countdown display.

​
With Output Review

Timeout is most useful with output review. If a reviewer doesn’t respond in time, the workflow proceeds automatically. 
Step(
    name="generate_report",
    agent=report_agent,
    requires_output_review=True,
    output_review_message="Review the report",
    hitl_timeout=600,           # 10 minutes
    on_timeout=OnTimeout.approve,  # Auto-approve after 10 minutes
)

​
With Confirmation

Timeout also works with pre-execution confirmation: 
Step(
    name="deploy",
    agent=deploy_agent,
    requires_confirmation=True,
    confirmation_message="Deploy to production?",
    hitl_timeout=120,            # 2 minutes
    on_timeout=OnTimeout.cancel,  # Cancel if no response
)

​
Choosing an OnTimeout Policy

PolicyUse When
approveOutput is low-risk and delays are costly. The step’s output is likely acceptable
skipThe step is optional. Skipping doesn’t break the workflow
cancelThe step is critical. Proceeding without review is unacceptable

​
Developer Resources