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

# Freeze windows

> Create, edit, and delete Aegis freeze windows to automatically block all agent write actions during scheduled periods like release nights or change freezes.

A freeze window is a scheduled time period during which Aegis automatically blocks all agent write actions. When an agent attempts a write operation inside a freeze window, Aegis returns `DENY`, the same outcome as any other blocked action, without requiring you to manually intervene. Freeze windows are useful for release lockdowns, change freeze periods, on-call hours, and public holidays.

## Prerequisite: enable the policy

Freeze windows only take effect when the **Freeze Window Enforcement** policy is active. If this policy is disabled, Aegis will not check freeze windows when evaluating agent actions.

<Warning>
  Creating a freeze window does not automatically block agent writes. You must enable the **Freeze Window Enforcement** policy under **Dashboard > Policies** for the schedule to be enforced.
</Warning>

## Creating a freeze window

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Freeze Windows">
    Navigate to **Dashboard > Freeze Windows** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New Window">
    Click the **New Window** button in the top-right corner of the page. A creation form slides into view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the schedule">
    Fill in the following fields:

    * **Timezone**, select the timezone the window times should be interpreted in.
    * **Days**, select the days of the week the freeze applies. You can select individual days, weekdays, or every day.
    * **Start time**, the time each selected day when the freeze begins.
    * **End time**, the time each selected day when the freeze lifts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create window">
    Submit the form. The new window appears in the active freeze windows list immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What happens during a freeze window

When Aegis evaluates an agent action and determines that the current time falls within an active freeze window, it returns `DENY` for any write operation. The agent receives an error response and the action is not executed. Read-only operations are not affected by freeze windows.

<Note>
  A freeze window applies to all agent sessions under your account. There is no per-agent or per-repository scoping at the freeze window level, use policies for more granular control.
</Note>

## Editing a freeze window

To update an existing freeze window:

1. Find the window in the list on the Freeze Windows page.
2. Click the **Edit** button on the right side of the row.
3. The creation form reopens pre-populated with the current values.
4. Adjust any fields and click **Update window**.

The updated schedule takes effect immediately.

## Deleting a freeze window

To remove a freeze window:

1. Find the window in the list on the Freeze Windows page.
2. Click the **Delete** button on the right side of the row.
3. Confirm the deletion in the dialog.

The window is removed and its schedule is no longer enforced.

## Common use cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Release nights" icon="rocket">
    Block agent writes during your deployment window to prevent unintended changes from landing alongside a production release.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Change freeze periods" icon="lock">
    Enforce your organization's change freeze policy automatically without relying on manual communication to agents or developers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Planned maintenance" icon="wrench">
    Prevent agents from writing to infrastructure repositories while systems are undergoing maintenance and in a known-bad state.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Holidays and weekends" icon="calendar">
    Schedule recurring freezes for days when on-call coverage is reduced and you want agents to stand down automatically.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  You can create multiple freeze windows to cover different schedules. For example, one window for weekday business hours and another for weekend coverage. Each window is evaluated independently.
</Tip>