Why a task is paused or asking for approval
Sometimes a task pauses and waits for you. This is intentional — the agent needs something from you before it can continue. This article explains the common reasons and what to do.
A pause is a good sign
When a task pauses to ask, it means the agent reached a point where guessing could lead to the wrong result. Pausing to check with you is how it avoids mistakes. The work isn't stuck — it's waiting on you.
Common reasons a task pauses
It needs a detail it can't guess
The agent may be missing a piece of information only you can provide — a preference, a specific name, a choice between options. It will ask, and once you answer, it continues.
It wants approval before acting
Some actions affect the outside world, like sending an email, posting a message, or making a change in a connected tool. The agent pauses to get your go-ahead before doing them, so nothing happens without your say-so.
It hit a fork in the road
When there's more than one reasonable way forward, the agent may ask which direction you'd prefer rather than pick one for you.
It needs access it doesn't have
If a task requires a connected tool that isn't set up yet, the agent will pause and let you know what to connect.
What to do when a task is waiting
- Open the task to see exactly what it's asking.
- Read the question or approval request. It will tell you what the agent wants to do or know.
- Reply or approve. Answer the question, or approve or decline the action.
- The task resumes automatically once you respond.
There's no rush — a paused task will wait for you. It won't act without your input.
Reducing how often a task pauses
If a task is asking more than you'd like, you can give it more autonomy so it makes more decisions on its own. Keep in mind that certain sensitive actions will always ask, no matter the setting.