### Answer Yes, you can delay your agent from answering using the

begin_message_delay_ms

parameter. This delays the first message by a specified number of milliseconds, giving the user time to prepare before the agent speaks. [(1) ]() [(2) ]() The valid range is 0 to 5000 milliseconds (0 to 5 seconds) . If not set or set to 0, the agent will speak immediately. This only applies when the agent speaks first. You can set this when creating or updating an agent:

javascript
const agentResponse = await client.agent.create({
  begin_message_delay_ms: 1000,
  // other agent configuration...
}) ;

[(1) ]() Or when updating:

javascript
const agentResponse = await client.agent.update('agent_id', {
  begin_message_delay_ms: 1000,
}) ;

[(2) ]()

​ To learn more, see the sources I considered: [[1] Create Voice Agent](https://docs.retellai.com/api-references/create-agent) [[2] Update Voice Agent](https://docs.retellai.com/api-references/update-agent) ​

Feel free to tag @AI Evy with additional questions. I also appreciate feedback, it helps me improve.

### Answer I don't have information in the available sources about delaying when Retell AI picks up an incoming call (i.e., delaying the call answer itself for a certain number of rings) . The

begin_message_delay_ms

parameter only delays the agent's first speech after the call is already connected. This type of ring delay control would typically be handled at the telephony provider level (like Twilio, Telnyx, or Vonage) before the call is routed to Retell AI, rather than within Retell AI itself. [(1) ]() If you're using custom telephony with SIP trunking, you might be able to configure this delay with your telephony provider before forwarding the call to Retell's SIP endpoint. [(1) ]() [(2) ]()

Feel free to tag @AI Evy with additional questions. I also appreciate feedback, it helps me improve.

​ To learn more, see the sources I considered: [[1] Custom Telephony Overview](https://docs.retellai.com/deploy/custom-telephony) [[2] AI in SIP Calling & Telephony Solutions | Retell AI](https://www.retellai.com/blog/integrating-ai-with-sip-trunking-and-modern-telephony) ​