# Pause or turn off the agent in a chat

> How to take over a conversation yourself — pause the AI agent for a few minutes, add time with +10 min, hand it back early or turn it off entirely in that chat.

Source: https://docs.watsi.ai/en/chats/pause-agent

**To handle a conversation yourself you have two options: pause the AI agent for a while — it resumes on its own when the pause ends — or turn it off in that chat until you turn it back on.** While paused, the chat shows "Agent paused" with the time it comes back; you can extend it with **+10 min**, up to 24 hours, or hand the conversation back early.

## Turn the agent off in a chat

Use the conversation's **Enable watsi agent** / **Disable watsi agent** switch. When you turn it off, watsi reminds you that you'll have to answer messages manually. The agent doesn't reply in that chat again until you turn it back on.

## Pause the agent

While the agent is paused, the chat shows the **Agent paused** badge with the time it resumes.

- **+10 min** adds 10 minutes to the current pause. A pause never lasts more than **24 hours**.
- Tap the badge to **hand the conversation back to the agent** early.
- When the pause ends, the agent is simply available again: it doesn't send anything on its own.

> **Note**
  If the customer writes during the pause and nobody on the team answers within a few minutes, the
  agent picks up that message so the customer isn't left without a reply. The chat marks it as
  "Agent resumed".

### When you reply yourself

Depending on how your workspace is set up, replying in a chat may show the bar "You replied. What should I do with the agent?" with **Pause 10 min**, **Turn off in this chat** or letting the agent continue.

> **Tip**
  On WhatsApp numbers in coexistence, replying from the WhatsApp Business app on your phone also
  pauses the agent.

## Related

- [Statuses and filters](/chats/statuses-and-filters)
- [Quick messages](/chats/quick-replies)
- [Templates and the 24-hour window](/chats/templates-24h-window)

## FAQ

### How do I stop the AI agent from replying in a chat?

In the chat, use the agent switch (Disable watsi agent) to turn it off in that conversation until you turn it back on. If you only need a while, use the pause; the agent resumes on its own when it ends.

### How long can an agent pause last?

Up to 24 hours. The +10 min button adds 10 minutes to the current pause, without going past 24 hours.