feat(agent): add human-like delay between block replies

Adds `agent.humanDelay` config option to create natural rhythm between
streamed message bubbles. When enabled, introduces a random delay
(default 800-2500ms) between block replies, making multi-message
responses feel more like natural human texting.

Config example:
```json
{
  "agent": {
    "blockStreamingDefault": "on",
    "humanDelay": {
      "enabled": true,
      "minMs": 800,
      "maxMs": 2500
    }
  }
}
```

- First message sends immediately
- Subsequent messages wait a random delay before sending
- Works with iMessage, Signal, and Discord providers

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 ### New Features and Changes
 - Onboarding/Models: add first-class Z.AI (GLM) auth choice (`zai-api-key`) + `--zai-api-key` flag.
+- Agents: add human-delay pacing between block replies (per-agent configurable). (#446) — thanks @tony-freedomology.
 
 ### Fixes
 - Agents/OpenAI: fix Responses tool-only → follow-up turn handling (avoid standalone `reasoning` items that trigger 400 “required following item”).

docs/concepts/messages.md

@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ Key settings:
 - `agents.defaults.blockStreamingBreak` (`text_end|message_end`)
 - `agents.defaults.blockStreamingChunk` (`minChars|maxChars|breakPreference`)
 - `agents.defaults.blockStreamingCoalesce` (idle-based batching)
+- `agents.defaults.humanDelay` (human-like pause between block replies)
 - Provider overrides: `*.blockStreaming` and `*.blockStreamingCoalesce` (non-Telegram providers require explicit `*.blockStreaming: true`)
 
 Details: [Streaming + chunking](/concepts/streaming).

docs/concepts/streaming.md

@@ -71,6 +71,16 @@ progressive output.
 - Provider overrides are available via `*.blockStreamingCoalesce` (including per-account configs).
 - Default coalesce `minChars` is bumped to 1500 for Signal/Slack/Discord unless overridden.
 
+## Human-like pacing between blocks
+
+When block streaming is enabled, you can add a **randomized pause** between
+block replies (after the first block). This makes multi-bubble responses feel
+more natural.
+
+- Config: `agents.defaults.humanDelay` (override per agent via `agents.list[].humanDelay`).
+- Modes: `off` (default), `natural` (800–2500ms), `custom` (`minMs`/`maxMs`).
+- Applies only to **block replies**, not final replies or tool summaries.
+
 ## “Stream chunks or everything”
 
 This maps to:

docs/gateway/configuration-examples.md

@@ -218,6 +218,9 @@ Save to `~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.json` and you can DM the bot from that number.
       blockStreamingCoalesce: {
         idleMs: 1000
       },
+      humanDelay: {
+        mode: "natural"
+      },
       timeoutSeconds: 600,
       mediaMaxMb: 5,
       typingIntervalSeconds: 5,

docs/gateway/configuration.md

@@ -1186,6 +1186,15 @@ Block streaming:
   Provider overrides: `whatsapp.blockStreamingCoalesce`, `telegram.blockStreamingCoalesce`,
   `discord.blockStreamingCoalesce`, `slack.blockStreamingCoalesce`, `signal.blockStreamingCoalesce`,
   `imessage.blockStreamingCoalesce`, `msteams.blockStreamingCoalesce` (and per-account variants).
+- `agents.defaults.humanDelay`: randomized pause between **block replies** after the first.
+  Modes: `off` (default), `natural` (800–2500ms), `custom` (use `minMs`/`maxMs`).
+  Per-agent override: `agents.list[].humanDelay`.
+  Example:
+  ```json5
+  {
+    agents: { defaults: { humanDelay: { mode: "natural" } } }
+  }
+  ```
 See [/concepts/streaming](/concepts/streaming) for behavior + chunking details.
 
 Typing indicators:

src/agents/agent-scope.ts

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ type ResolvedAgentConfig = {
   workspace?: string;
   agentDir?: string;
   model?: string;
+  humanDelay?: AgentEntry["humanDelay"];
   identity?: AgentEntry["identity"];
   groupChat?: AgentEntry["groupChat"];
   subagents?: AgentEntry["subagents"];
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ export function resolveAgentConfig(
       typeof entry.workspace === "string" ? entry.workspace : undefined,
     agentDir: typeof entry.agentDir === "string" ? entry.agentDir : undefined,
     model: typeof entry.model === "string" ? entry.model : undefined,
+    humanDelay: entry.humanDelay,
     identity: entry.identity,
     groupChat: entry.groupChat,
     subagents:

src/agents/identity.test.ts

@@ -1,65 +1,28 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
-import { resolveMessagePrefix, resolveResponsePrefix } from "./identity.js";
+import { resolveHumanDelayConfig } from "./identity.js";
 
-describe("message prefix resolution", () => {
-  it("returns configured messagePrefix override", () => {
+describe("resolveHumanDelayConfig", () => {
+  it("returns undefined when no humanDelay config is set", () => {
     const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {};
-    expect(
-      resolveMessagePrefix(cfg, "main", {
-        configured: "[x]",
-        hasAllowFrom: true,
-      }),
-    ).toBe("[x]");
-    expect(
-      resolveMessagePrefix(cfg, "main", {
-        configured: "",
-        hasAllowFrom: false,
-      }),
-    ).toBe("");
+    expect(resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, "main")).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
-  it("defaults messagePrefix based on allowFrom + identity", () => {
+  it("merges defaults with per-agent overrides", () => {
     const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
-      agents: { list: [{ id: "main", identity: { name: "Richbot" } }] },
+      agents: {
+        defaults: {
+          humanDelay: { mode: "natural", minMs: 800, maxMs: 1800 },
+        },
+        list: [{ id: "main", humanDelay: { mode: "custom", minMs: 400 } }],
+      },
     };
-    expect(resolveMessagePrefix(cfg, "main", { hasAllowFrom: true })).toBe("");
-    expect(resolveMessagePrefix(cfg, "main", { hasAllowFrom: false })).toBe(
-      "[Richbot]",
-    );
-  });
 
-  it("falls back to [clawdbot] when identity is missing", () => {
-    const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {};
-    expect(resolveMessagePrefix(cfg, "main", { hasAllowFrom: false })).toBe(
-      "[clawdbot]",
-    );
-  });
-});
-
-describe("response prefix resolution", () => {
-  it("does not apply any default when unset", () => {
-    const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
-      agents: { list: [{ id: "main", identity: { name: "Richbot" } }] },
-    };
-    expect(resolveResponsePrefix(cfg, "main")).toBeUndefined();
-  });
-
-  it("returns explicit responsePrefix when set", () => {
-    const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = { messages: { responsePrefix: "PFX" } };
-    expect(resolveResponsePrefix(cfg, "main")).toBe("PFX");
-  });
-
-  it("supports responsePrefix: auto (identity-derived opt-in)", () => {
-    const withIdentity: ClawdbotConfig = {
-      agents: { list: [{ id: "main", identity: { name: "Richbot" } }] },
-      messages: { responsePrefix: "auto" },
-    };
-    expect(resolveResponsePrefix(withIdentity, "main")).toBe("[Richbot]");
-
-    const withoutIdentity: ClawdbotConfig = {
-      messages: { responsePrefix: "auto" },
-    };
-    expect(resolveResponsePrefix(withoutIdentity, "main")).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, "main")).toEqual({
+      mode: "custom",
+      minMs: 400,
+      maxMs: 1800,
+    });
   });
 });

src/agents/identity.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-import type { ClawdbotConfig, IdentityConfig } from "../config/config.js";
+import type {
+  ClawdbotConfig,
+  HumanDelayConfig,
+  IdentityConfig,
+} from "../config/config.js";
 import { resolveAgentConfig } from "./agent-scope.js";
 
 const DEFAULT_ACK_REACTION = "👀";
@@ -72,3 +76,17 @@ export function resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(
     responsePrefix: resolveResponsePrefix(cfg, agentId),
   };
 }
+
+export function resolveHumanDelayConfig(
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig,
+  agentId: string,
+): HumanDelayConfig | undefined {
+  const defaults = cfg.agents?.defaults?.humanDelay;
+  const overrides = resolveAgentConfig(cfg, agentId)?.humanDelay;
+  if (!defaults && !overrides) return undefined;
+  return {
+    mode: overrides?.mode ?? defaults?.mode,
+    minMs: overrides?.minMs ?? defaults?.minMs,
+    maxMs: overrides?.maxMs ?? defaults?.maxMs,
+  };
+}

src/auto-reply/reply/reply-dispatcher.test.ts

@@ -103,4 +103,55 @@ describe("createReplyDispatcher", () => {
     await dispatcher.waitForIdle();
     expect(onIdle).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   });
+
+  it("delays block replies after the first when humanDelay is natural", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    const randomSpy = vi.spyOn(Math, "random").mockReturnValue(0);
+    const deliver = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    const dispatcher = createReplyDispatcher({
+      deliver,
+      humanDelay: { mode: "natural" },
+    });
+
+    dispatcher.sendBlockReply({ text: "first" });
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    dispatcher.sendBlockReply({ text: "second" });
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(799);
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1);
+    await dispatcher.waitForIdle();
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+
+    randomSpy.mockRestore();
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it("uses custom bounds for humanDelay and clamps when max <= min", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    const deliver = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    const dispatcher = createReplyDispatcher({
+      deliver,
+      humanDelay: { mode: "custom", minMs: 1200, maxMs: 400 },
+    });
+
+    dispatcher.sendBlockReply({ text: "first" });
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    dispatcher.sendBlockReply({ text: "second" });
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1199);
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1);
+    await dispatcher.waitForIdle();
+    expect(deliver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
 });

src/auto-reply/reply/reply-dispatcher.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { HumanDelayConfig } from "../../config/types.js";
 import type { GetReplyOptions, ReplyPayload } from "../types.js";
 import { normalizeReplyPayload } from "./normalize-reply.js";
 import type { TypingController } from "./typing.js";
@@ -14,12 +15,36 @@ type ReplyDispatchDeliverer = (
   info: { kind: ReplyDispatchKind },
 ) => Promise<void>;
 
+const DEFAULT_HUMAN_DELAY_MIN_MS = 800;
+const DEFAULT_HUMAN_DELAY_MAX_MS = 2500;
+
+/** Generate a random delay within the configured range. */
+function getHumanDelay(config: HumanDelayConfig | undefined): number {
+  const mode = config?.mode ?? "off";
+  if (mode === "off") return 0;
+  const min =
+    mode === "custom"
+      ? (config?.minMs ?? DEFAULT_HUMAN_DELAY_MIN_MS)
+      : DEFAULT_HUMAN_DELAY_MIN_MS;
+  const max =
+    mode === "custom"
+      ? (config?.maxMs ?? DEFAULT_HUMAN_DELAY_MAX_MS)
+      : DEFAULT_HUMAN_DELAY_MAX_MS;
+  if (max <= min) return min;
+  return Math.floor(Math.random() * (max - min + 1)) + min;
+}
+
+/** Sleep for a given number of milliseconds. */
+const sleep = (ms: number) => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+
 export type ReplyDispatcherOptions = {
   deliver: ReplyDispatchDeliverer;
   responsePrefix?: string;
   onHeartbeatStrip?: () => void;
   onIdle?: () => void;
   onError?: ReplyDispatchErrorHandler;
+  /** Human-like delay between block replies for natural rhythm. */
+  humanDelay?: HumanDelayConfig;
 };
 
 export type ReplyDispatcherWithTypingOptions = Omit<
@@ -60,6 +85,8 @@ export function createReplyDispatcher(
   let sendChain: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve();
   // Track in-flight deliveries so we can emit a reliable "idle" signal.
   let pending = 0;
+  // Track whether we've sent a block reply (for human delay - skip delay on first block).
+  let sentFirstBlock = false;
   // Serialize outbound replies to preserve tool/block/final order.
   const queuedCounts: Record<ReplyDispatchKind, number> = {
     tool: 0,
@@ -72,8 +99,20 @@ export function createReplyDispatcher(
     if (!normalized) return false;
     queuedCounts[kind] += 1;
     pending += 1;
+
+    // Determine if we should add human-like delay (only for block replies after the first).
+    const shouldDelay = kind === "block" && sentFirstBlock;
+    if (kind === "block") sentFirstBlock = true;
+
     sendChain = sendChain
-      .then(() => options.deliver(normalized, { kind }))
+      .then(async () => {
+        // Add human-like delay between block replies for natural rhythm.
+        if (shouldDelay) {
+          const delayMs = getHumanDelay(options.humanDelay);
+          if (delayMs > 0) await sleep(delayMs);
+        }
+        await options.deliver(normalized, { kind });
+      })
       .catch((err) => {
         options.onError?.(err, { kind });
       })

src/config/schema.ts

@@ -104,6 +104,9 @@ const FIELD_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
   "agents.defaults.model.fallbacks": "Model Fallbacks",
   "agents.defaults.imageModel.primary": "Image Model",
   "agents.defaults.imageModel.fallbacks": "Image Model Fallbacks",
+  "agents.defaults.humanDelay.mode": "Human Delay Mode",
+  "agents.defaults.humanDelay.minMs": "Human Delay Min (ms)",
+  "agents.defaults.humanDelay.maxMs": "Human Delay Max (ms)",
   "commands.native": "Native Commands",
   "commands.text": "Text Commands",
   "commands.restart": "Allow Restart",
@@ -177,6 +180,12 @@ const FIELD_HELP: Record<string, string> = {
     "Optional image model (provider/model) used when the primary model lacks image input.",
   "agents.defaults.imageModel.fallbacks":
     "Ordered fallback image models (provider/model).",
+  "agents.defaults.humanDelay.mode":
+    'Delay style for block replies ("off", "natural", "custom").',
+  "agents.defaults.humanDelay.minMs":
+    "Minimum delay in ms for custom humanDelay (default: 800).",
+  "agents.defaults.humanDelay.maxMs":
+    "Maximum delay in ms for custom humanDelay (default: 2500).",
   "commands.native":
     "Register native commands with connectors that support it (Discord/Slack/Telegram).",
   "commands.text": "Allow text command parsing (slash commands only).",

src/config/types.ts

@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ export type BlockStreamingCoalesceConfig = {
   idleMs?: number;
 };
 
+export type HumanDelayConfig = {
+  /** Delay style for block replies (off|natural|custom). */
+  mode?: "off" | "natural" | "custom";
+  /** Minimum delay in milliseconds (default: 800). */
+  minMs?: number;
+  /** Maximum delay in milliseconds (default: 2500). */
+  maxMs?: number;
+};
+
 export type SessionSendPolicyAction = "allow" | "deny";
 export type SessionSendPolicyMatch = {
   provider?: string;
@@ -922,6 +931,8 @@ export type AgentConfig = {
   workspace?: string;
   agentDir?: string;
   model?: string;
+  /** Human-like delay between block replies for this agent. */
+  humanDelay?: HumanDelayConfig;
   identity?: IdentityConfig;
   groupChat?: GroupChatConfig;
   subagents?: {
@@ -1317,6 +1328,8 @@ export type AgentDefaultsConfig = {
    * idleMs: wait time before flushing when idle.
    */
   blockStreamingCoalesce?: BlockStreamingCoalesceConfig;
+  /** Human-like delay between block replies. */
+  humanDelay?: HumanDelayConfig;
   timeoutSeconds?: number;
   /** Max inbound media size in MB for agent-visible attachments (text note or future image attach). */
   mediaMaxMb?: number;
@@ -1426,6 +1439,7 @@ export type ClawdbotConfig = {
   bindings?: AgentBinding[];
   broadcast?: BroadcastConfig;
   audio?: AudioConfig;
+  routing?: RoutingConfig;
   messages?: MessagesConfig;
   commands?: CommandsConfig;
   session?: SessionConfig;

src/config/zod-schema.ts

@@ -103,6 +103,14 @@ const BlockStreamingCoalesceSchema = z.object({
   idleMs: z.number().int().nonnegative().optional(),
 });
 
+const HumanDelaySchema = z.object({
+  mode: z
+    .union([z.literal("off"), z.literal("natural"), z.literal("custom")])
+    .optional(),
+  minMs: z.number().int().nonnegative().optional(),
+  maxMs: z.number().int().nonnegative().optional(),
+});
+
 const normalizeAllowFrom = (values?: Array<string | number>): string[] =>
   (values ?? []).map((v) => String(v).trim()).filter(Boolean);
 
@@ -775,6 +783,7 @@ const AgentEntrySchema = z.object({
   workspace: z.string().optional(),
   agentDir: z.string().optional(),
   model: z.string().optional(),
+  humanDelay: HumanDelaySchema.optional(),
   identity: IdentitySchema,
   groupChat: GroupChatSchema,
   subagents: z
@@ -1043,6 +1052,7 @@ const AgentDefaultsSchema = z
       })
       .optional(),
     blockStreamingCoalesce: BlockStreamingCoalesceSchema.optional(),
+    humanDelay: HumanDelaySchema.optional(),
     timeoutSeconds: z.number().int().positive().optional(),
     mediaMaxMb: z.number().positive().optional(),
     typingIntervalSeconds: z.number().int().positive().optional(),
@@ -1089,7 +1099,6 @@ const AgentDefaultsSchema = z
       .optional(),
   })
   .optional();
-
 export const ClawdbotSchema = z
   .object({
     env: z

src/discord/monitor.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import { ApplicationCommandOptionType, Routes } from "discord-api-types/v10";
 import {
   resolveAckReaction,
   resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig,
+  resolveHumanDelayConfig,
 } from "../agents/identity.js";
 import { resolveTextChunkLimit } from "../auto-reply/chunk.js";
 import { hasControlCommand } from "../auto-reply/command-detection.js";
@@ -1156,6 +1157,7 @@ export function createDiscordMessageHandler(params: {
         createReplyDispatcherWithTyping({
           responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(cfg, route.agentId)
             .responsePrefix,
+          humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
           deliver: async (payload) => {
             await deliverDiscordReply({
               replies: [payload],
@@ -1662,6 +1664,7 @@ function createDiscordNativeCommand(params: {
       const dispatcher = createReplyDispatcher({
         responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(cfg, route.agentId)
           .responsePrefix,
+        humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
         deliver: async (payload, _info) => {
           await deliverDiscordInteractionReply({
             interaction,

src/imessage/monitor.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-import { resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig } from "../agents/identity.js";
+import {
+  resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig,
+  resolveHumanDelayConfig,
+} from "../agents/identity.js";
 import { chunkText, resolveTextChunkLimit } from "../auto-reply/chunk.js";
 import { hasControlCommand } from "../auto-reply/command-detection.js";
 import { formatAgentEnvelope } from "../auto-reply/envelope.js";
@@ -444,6 +447,7 @@ export async function monitorIMessageProvider(
     const dispatcher = createReplyDispatcher({
       responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(cfg, route.agentId)
         .responsePrefix,
+      humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
       deliver: async (payload) => {
         await deliverReplies({
           replies: [payload],

src/msteams/reply-dispatcher.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-import { resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig } from "../agents/identity.js";
+import {
+  resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig,
+  resolveHumanDelayConfig,
+} from "../agents/identity.js";
 import { createReplyDispatcherWithTyping } from "../auto-reply/reply/reply-dispatcher.js";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig, MSTeamsReplyStyle } from "../config/types.js";
 import { danger } from "../globals.js";
@@ -40,6 +43,7 @@ export function createMSTeamsReplyDispatcher(params: {
   return createReplyDispatcherWithTyping({
     responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(params.cfg, params.agentId)
       .responsePrefix,
+    humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(params.cfg, params.agentId),
     deliver: async (payload) => {
       const messages = renderReplyPayloadsToMessages([payload], {
         textChunkLimit: params.textLimit,

src/signal/monitor.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-import { resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig } from "../agents/identity.js";
+import {
+  resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig,
+  resolveHumanDelayConfig,
+} from "../agents/identity.js";
 import { chunkText, resolveTextChunkLimit } from "../auto-reply/chunk.js";
 import { formatAgentEnvelope } from "../auto-reply/envelope.js";
 import { dispatchReplyFromConfig } from "../auto-reply/reply/dispatch-from-config.js";
@@ -655,6 +658,7 @@ export async function monitorSignalProvider(
       const dispatcher = createReplyDispatcher({
         responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(cfg, route.agentId)
           .responsePrefix,
+        humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
         deliver: async (payload) => {
           await deliverReplies({
             replies: [payload],

src/slack/monitor.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import type { WebClient as SlackWebClient } from "@slack/web-api";
 import {
   resolveAckReaction,
   resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig,
+  resolveHumanDelayConfig,
 } from "../agents/identity.js";
 import {
   chunkMarkdownText,
@@ -1109,6 +1110,7 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
       createReplyDispatcherWithTyping({
         responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(cfg, route.agentId)
           .responsePrefix,
+        humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
         deliver: async (payload) => {
           const effectiveThreadTs = resolveSlackThreadTs({
             replyToMode,