How can I implement a 10-minute timeout for Slack 'Send and Wait' approval in n8n?

Below is one approach to solve this problem:

1. Send the Approval Request:
   Use the Slack node “Send and Wait” (or your preferred Slack node) to post the approval request. This node sends the message and waits for a response from the user.

2. Insert a Wait Node:
   Because the Slack node by itself doesn’t offer a built-in timeout (i.e. “if no response within 10 minutes…”) you can follow it with a Wait node. Configure the Wait node to resume on a webhook call so that the workflow can “wake up” when the user responds.

   • In the Wait node (under On Webhook Call) set up the authentication, HTTP method, etc., as needed.
   • Use the Limit Wait Time option by enabling it and choose “After Time Interval.”
   • Set the amount to 10 minutes.
     This configuration tells n8n to automatically resume the workflow after 10 minutes if no webhook call (approval response) is received.

3. Branch the Workflow Based on the Outcome:
   After the Wait node, use an IF node or a similar decision-making node:

   • If the user responded: Continue processing the approval (for example, proceeding with the original channel or operation).
   • If the 10-minute limit is reached (i.e. no response): Continue along the alternative branch that creates a new channel with another user to handle the inquiry.

A high-level overview of the workflow steps could look like this:

• Slack “Send and Wait” Node →
• Wait Node (configured for On Webhook Call with 10-minute Limit) →
• IF Node:
  • If approved (response received) → Follow approval branch
  • If not approved (timeout reached) → Create a channel with another user

This combination leverages the Wait node’s ability to “hold” execution with a timeout, allowing you to add customized behavior (in this case, reassigning the task) when no response is provided within 10 minutes.

Remember, to get the best results make sure that the webhook URL from the Wait node (available via the $execution.resumeUrl variable) is sent to the user (or third-party service) along with your Slack message so that the webhook call can resume your workflow when the response is posted.

This setup allows your workflow to automatically proceed to the alternative branch if no approval is returned within the desired time frame.