# Pause and delete an automation (/docs/pause-delete)



Paused automations stay saved but do not send DMs. Delete removes the keyword rule. Delivery history for past comments stays. Neither action disconnects Instagram or cancels your plan.

## Statuses you will see [#statuses-you-will-see]

| Badge        | Meaning                                                | Counts toward the active cap |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------- |
| On           | Enabled and still inside its window                    | Yes                          |
| Paused / Off | You turned it off. It stays saved.                     | No                           |
| Ended        | Active to (or the story or live window) is in the past | No                           |

The detail switch reads On or Paused. Description: Paused automations stay saved but do not send DMs.

Ended can still look enabled for a short time until a cleanup job flips it. It already does not count as active.

## Pause (On and Paused) [#pause-on-and-paused]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the automation.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Find the status switch. It reads On or Paused.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Turn it off. Confirm Pause automation? Body: This automation will stop matching comments and sending DMs. It stays saved and you can turn it back on anytime.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Choose Pause. Keep on cancels.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Turn it On again when you want matching comments to send.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Use pause when you are at your [active automation limit](/docs/create-automation) and need a slot for a new rule.

## Delete [#delete]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the automation.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Choose Delete.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Confirm Delete automation? Body: This removes the keyword rule. Delivery history for past comments stays.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Choose Delete. Cancel leaves the rule. Toast: Automation deleted.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="warn">
  Delete does not disconnect Instagram or cancel your plan. Past events remain. New comments no longer match this rule.
</Callout>

To stop **all** processing on an Instagram account, pause or disconnect that account instead. See [Manage Instagram](/docs/manage-instagram).

## Related [#related]

* [Edit an automation](/docs/edit-automation)
* [Events and why a DM did not send](/docs/events-and-skips)
* [Manage Instagram](/docs/manage-instagram)