> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.automationkit.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# When to Stop Automation

> How and when to stop all messaging for a lead

There are three situations where you should stop automated communication for a lead.

## 1. You Already Spoke to Them

If you called a lead and scheduled an appointment manually, remove them from the initial text sequence. Otherwise they'll keep getting follow-up texts.

See [Handling Leads Manually](/managing/handling-leads) for steps.

## 2. You Sold Them

Setting a lead's status to **Approved / Sold** automatically stops all messaging. No extra steps needed.

## 3. You Want Full Control

If you want to take over completely and stop all automation:

Run the **Kill All Convos** workflow on the contact. This turns off the AI and removes them from all active workflows in one step.

This guarantees no automated messages go out.

## When a Lead Texts STOP

If a lead replies **STOP** to any message:

* They are immediately added to a Do Not Contact list
* All automation and AI responses stop
* They will not receive any further messages from your system

This is a requirement of A2P compliance - the regulations that govern business text messaging in the US. Once a contact opts out via SMS, the system is required to stop all automated messaging to them. [Learn more about A2P compliance](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/guidelines/sms).

<Tip>
  You can still call the lead. STOP only applies to automated SMS - nothing stops you from dialing them.
</Tip>