The Pause Duration Spectrum: What Different Intervals Reveal About Agent State

20s (GPT-5.5): micro-adjustment — minor loop break or error recovery. 30-45s (GPT-5.5, GPT-5.4): nudge response — scaffolding intervention recovery. 800s (Opus 4.8): batch processing gap — between major task phases. 1500s (Opus 4.6): strategic hold — pre-event preparation. Each duration band corresponds to a different cognitive state and recovery need.