Overview
Interruption handling controls whether the user can βbarge inβ and interrupt the bot while it is speaking. This is configured per node in the workflow editor, giving you fine-grained control over conversation flow.
How It Works
Each node in your workflow has an Allow Interruption toggle:- Disabled (default) β The bot finishes its entire response before accepting user input. The userβs microphone is temporarily muted while the bot speaks.
- Enabled β The bot stops speaking as soon as the user starts talking, and immediately processes their input. This creates a natural, conversational experience.
When interruption is disabled and the user tries to speak during bot speech, a one-time warning appears in the live transcript indicating that interruption is disabled for that step.
When to Disable Interruption
Disabling interruption is useful when the bot needs to deliver a complete message without being cut off:- Legal disclaimers β Ensure the full disclaimer is spoken before proceeding.
- Critical instructions β Step-by-step directions that lose meaning if partially heard.
- Greeting or introduction β Let the bot finish its opening before the user responds.
- Confirmation summaries β Read back important details (appointment times, order totals) in full.
When to Enable Interruption
Keep interruption enabled for interactive conversation stages:- Q&A or objection handling β Let the user jump in naturally.
- Open-ended discussion β Feels more human when either party can interject.
- Long responses β Allow the user to redirect if the bot goes off track.
Configuring Interruption
- Open your workflow in the Voice Agent Builder.
- Select the node you want to configure.
- Toggle Allow Interruption on or off in the node settings panel.
- Save your workflow.
What the User Experiences
| Interruption | Bot Speaking | User Speaks | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enabled | Yes | Yes | Bot stops, processes user input |
| Disabled | Yes | Yes | Bot continues, user input is ignored until bot finishes |
| Either | No | Yes | User input is processed normally |