---
title: Manually Extending a Stage Past the Next Stage
slug: zen-master/manually-extending-a-stage-past-the-next-stage
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-11-10T13:49:41.424Z
---

After changing an **Auto **Stage to **Manual **(see, [Switching to Manual or Auto During the Event](docId\:CpoByE-8DDBja2Qg9gY98)), a dialog will be displayed asking you to choose whether you want to **Maintain start time** or **Maintain duration**. In this section we will explain what is the meaning of each option is and what are its consequences for the next stages when you use them to extend a stage, **but the extension is longer than the next stage**. 

## Maintain Start Time Extension Past the Next Stage

In this option the next stage **is skipped**. Every stage after that which is also configured as Auto, **will be according to the originally configured Start Time**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/2Vwh7yjOli6QN-bQLzm5L-20251110-140323.png)

In the example illustrated above the** First Half stage  is manually extended by 15 minutes**. In this case the following will occur:

- During the “First Half” stage the operator switched to manual and selected the **Maintain Start Time** option. 
- After 15 minutes into the first half extension the operator clicked **Start Next Stage** and moved directly to the **Second Half stage** (the **Half Time Break stage is skipped**).
- The start times of the following stages (marked by a red rectangle) will begin automatically according to the original configuration:
  - **Second Half** **stage will begin** at **9:00 PM **(the original configured start time for the Second Half stage).
  - The **Second Half** **will end **automatically at** 9:45 PM** (the original configured start time for the Off stage). 
  - **Note that if the First Half extension were to go past 9:00 PM, for example 9:10 PM, the Second Half would begin at 9:10 PM and end at 9:45 PM.**

## Maintain Duration Extension Past the Next Stage

In this option the next stage, following the manual transition, is skipped. Every stage after that, which is also configured as Auto, will be according to the originally configured **Duration**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/LyUx9rQ3Z38cNxSs1Jykz-20251110-142227.png)

- In the example illustrated above the **First Half stage is manually extended by 15 minutes**. In this case the following will occur:
- During the “First Half” stage the operator switched to manual and selected the **Maintain Duration **option.
- After 15 minutes into the first half extension the operator clicked Start Next Stage and moved to the Half Time Break stage.
- The **start times** of the following stages **will be shifted by 15 minute**s, as they will begin automatically according to the original duration configuration (marked by a red rectangle):
  - **Half Time Break stage will end** automatically at **9:15 PM** (based on the original configured duration for the Half Time Break stage) and the Second Half will start automatically. 
  - The **Second Half** **will end** automatically at **10:00 PM** (based on the original configured duration for the Second Half stage).