> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.intrepidcs.com/vspy-3-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.intrepidcs.com/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.15/vehicle-spy-tutorials/tutorial-1-basics-of-vehicle-spy/part-7-message-timestamps-and-pausing.md).

# Part 7 - Message Timestamps and Pausing

After finishing experimenting with the filter panel, include the **First Filter** only. In this exercise we will examine a couple of other important features found in Messages view.

### 1. Relative and Absolute Time:

Please click the **Scroll** button in Messages view if you are not already in this mode. You may have noticed the Time column in the display. Each message is recorded with its own unique time stamp. By default, Messages view displays the relative time for each message. Relative time is the time difference between consecutive messages. Click the **∆T Time Abs** button (Figure 1: ![](https://cdn.intrepidcs.net/support/VehicleSpy/assets/smOne.gif)) at the top of Messages view to toggle to absolute time. This is the time of the arrival of the message since you started Vehicle Spy.

### 2. Pause:

When using Messages view, the ability to pause is very important. With scrolling on, click the **Pause** button (Figure 2: ![](https://cdn.intrepidcs.net/support/VehicleSpy/assets/smTwo.gif)). The scrolling stops and a scroll bar appears on the right side of the panel (Figure 1: ![](https://cdn.intrepidcs.net/support/VehicleSpy/assets/smThree.gif)). Drag the scroll bar or use the page up/down keys to step through previous message traffic. The **Pause** button functions the same way in both scrolling and static modes.

![Figure 1: Timestamp mode selection and pausing on the Messages view.](https://2396693198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FlRJv2XDCMeZSU0VbeZlG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8ff8b8c3faf95f8835c9a4b272faae75336bcd97%2Fspyexample1.7.gif?alt=media)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.intrepidcs.com/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.15/vehicle-spy-tutorials/tutorial-1-basics-of-vehicle-spy/part-7-message-timestamps-and-pausing.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.