Workflow Pause Actions: Safely Test and Debug GHL Automations

Workflow Pause Actions introduce a simple but powerful change inside the Standard Builder. You can now pause or resume any individual action in a workflow using a toggle directly on the node. This means the action stays in place, keeps its settings, and does not need to be removed or reconnected.

When an action is paused, it becomes visually dimmed inside the workflow. This makes it easy to see which steps are active and which ones are temporarily turned off. There is no guessing and no hidden behavior. What you see in the builder is exactly how the workflow will behave when it runs.

Paused actions are skipped during execution. Contacts continue moving through the workflow and only trigger the steps that are active. If a paused action sits between other enabled steps, the workflow simply moves past it. If the paused action is the only path forward, the contact will skip that action and continue wherever active steps exist.

Once you are ready, you can turn the action back on with the same toggle. The step resumes normal behavior instantly, with no setup required. Workflow Pause Actions make it easier to test changes, isolate issues, and adjust live automations without slowing everything down.

Before Workflow Pause Actions, testing workflows in GoHighLevel was harder than it needed to be. If an action was not working or needed a change, most users had to delete it or disconnect it. Once that step was gone, it often meant rebuilding it later. Even small tests came with the risk of losing work.

Some users avoided this by cloning workflows instead. While that helped with testing, it created extra work. Cloned workflows had to be updated, reconnected, and checked before going live. Over time, this led to clutter, confusion, and more chances for mistakes.

Workflow Pause Actions fix this problem by letting you pause steps without removing them. The workflow structure stays clean, and all settings remain saved. You can test, adjust, and move forward without undoing your progress. It turns workflow testing into a calm, controlled process instead of a risky one.

Workflow Pause Actions matter because they remove the risk from making changes. When workflows are live, even a small edit can affect leads, follow-ups, and client trust. Being able to pause a single step gives you a safe way to test changes without touching the rest of the automation. That alone saves time and prevents avoidable mistakes.

For agencies, this feature is a big win. Managing multiple client workflows means problems need to be fixed quickly and carefully. Workflow Pause Actions let you isolate one action, see how the workflow behaves, and adjust without stopping everything else. You no longer have to choose between fixing an issue fast or keeping workflows stable.

This also makes workflows easier to improve over time. You can pause steps during testing, review performance, and re-enable them when ready. Nothing gets lost, and nothing breaks by accident. Workflow Pause Actions turn workflow management into a steady process instead of a stressful one.

Workflow Pause Actions are built to work directly inside the Standard Builder, so you can test and adjust workflows without rebuilding anything. They do not require setup, extra permissions, or new workflow logic. Here is how to use Workflow Pause Actions inside GoHighLevel.

• The Main Menu on the Left side of your screen has all the main areas that you work in when using GHL

1.1 Click on the Automation Menu Item.

• Access the ‘Automation’ section of GoHighLevel

1.2 Click on the Workflows tab

1.3 Click on the All Workflows tab

1.4 Open an existing workflow you want to test or create new one

• Any individual action inside a workflow can be paused.

2.1 Hover over the workflow action you want to disable.

2.2 Look for the Pause and Play toggle on the action node.

• This toggle controls whether the action runs or is skipped.

2.3 Confirm this is the correct step before pausing.

• Paused actions will not run while contacts move through the workflow.

• Pausing an action does not remove it or change its settings.

3.1 Click the Pause toggle on the selected action.

3.2 The action will become visually dimmed in the builder.

• This confirms the step is disabled.

3.3 Save the workflow.

• The workflow will now skip this action during execution.

• Once testing is complete, the action can be restored instantly.

4.1 Hover over the paused action again.

4.2 Click the Play toggle to re-enable the action.

4.3 The action returns to normal behavior immediately.

• No rebuilding or reconnecting is required.

That’s it. Workflow Pause Actions let you test, troubleshoot, and improve workflows without deleting steps or risking live automation logic. You pause what you need, fix the issue, and move forward with confidence.

Workflow Pause Actions are especially useful when agencies need to adjust live client automations. If a follow-up message is firing at the wrong time or an action needs review, you can pause that step without stopping the entire workflow. This allows leads to keep moving while you fix one part of the automation safely.

Another common use case is testing new ideas inside an existing workflow. Agencies often want to try a new action, delay, or condition without risking current results. With Workflow Pause Actions, you can pause the new step, test around it, and only turn it on when you are confident it works as intended.

Workflow Pause Actions also help during client changes. When an offer, message, or process shifts, certain workflow steps may need to be temporarily disabled. Instead of rebuilding workflows or creating temporary versions, you can pause what is not needed and re-enable it later. This keeps workflows clean, organized, and easy to manage.

Workflow Pause Actions work best when you use them intentionally. Before pausing a step, make sure the action is clearly named so you know exactly what it does. Clear labels make it easier to pause the right action and avoid confusion later, especially in larger workflows with many steps.

When testing changes, pause only one action when possible. This helps you isolate issues faster and understand how each step affects the workflow. Workflow Pause Actions allow you to test without cloning workflows, which keeps your automation list cleaner and easier to manage.

After testing, always review paused actions before publishing changes. It is easy to forget a paused step if you are moving quickly. A quick visual scan for dimmed actions helps ensure everything that should be active is turned back on. This habit keeps workflows reliable and prevents missed actions.

These answers help remove confusion and set clear expectations. Workflow Pause Actions give you a safe and controlled way to test, debug, and improve workflows without rebuilding or risking live automations.

Workflow Pause Actions help you build cleaner and more reliable automations. When you can pause individual steps, you spend less time fixing mistakes and more time improving workflows. Testing becomes predictable, and changes feel controlled instead of risky.

You can also expect faster iteration. Workflow Pause Actions remove the need to clone workflows or rebuild actions just to test an idea. This saves time, reduces clutter, and makes it easier to understand how each workflow is meant to function.

Over time, this leads to better workflow management. Teams gain confidence in making updates, agencies reduce errors in live automations, and workflows stay organized. Workflow Pause Actions support steady improvement without disrupting daily operations.

Workflow Pause Actions solve a problem most users have dealt with for years. Testing workflows no longer requires deleting steps, rebuilding logic, or cloning automations just to stay safe. You now have a simple way to control what runs and what does not, without putting live workflows at risk.

This update quietly changes how teams work inside GoHighLevel. Workflow Pause Actions make it easier to test ideas, fix issues, and improve workflows over time. Agencies gain more confidence in making changes, and workflows stay cleaner and easier to understand.

The next step is simple. Open an existing workflow and look for actions you normally hesitate to touch. Use Workflow Pause Actions to test, adjust, and refine them safely. Small improvements add fast when testing no longer feels risky.