This guide explains how Phantom slots and execution time work in PhantomBuster, what happens when you reach your limits, and how to resolve common errors like “Slot limit reached” or “Execution time exhausted.”
What are Phantom slots
Phantom slots represent the number of Phantoms or Workflows you can keep active in your PhantomBuster Dashboard at the same time.
Example slot limits per plan:
- Starter: 5 slots
- Pro: 15 slots
- Team: 50 slots
Free trial and plan upgrades:
If you start on a Free Trial (5 slots) and upgrade, you won’t automatically get more slots unless you upgrade to a plan with a higher limit. If you already have 5 Phantoms, and your new plan still offers 5, you’ll need to free up at least one slot before you can create or run more automations.
You can find your current plan’s Slots' limits on directly from your Dashboard, by visiting the Usage page in your workspace, or on the PhantomBuster Plans & Pricing page.
What happens when you reach the Phantom Slot limit
When your plan has no available slots left:
- A "No slots left" message will appear at the top of your PhantomBuster Dashboard, just above your active Phantoms.
- If you try to launch a new Phantom or Workflow, a popup message will notify you: "You’ve reached your Phantom slot limit"
This means you’ve hit your plan’s cap on simultaneous automations. You won’t be able to create or run additional Phantoms or Workflows until you free up a slot or upgrade your plan.
Why your slot usage might seem higher than expected
You may notice you’re using multiple slots even if you only see one Phantom on your Dashboard. Here’s why:
- Some Phantoms (like combined, multi-action ones) may take up more than one slot, especially if they perform complex tasks.
- This is most common with formerly called “Flow” Phantoms that bundle multiple steps.
How to free up a slot
To free up a slot without upgrading your plan, you’ll need to delete an active Phantom or Workflow from your Dashboard.
To delete a Phantom:
- Go to your PhantomBuster Dashboard.
- Find the Phantom or Workflow you want to remove.
- Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the Phantom card.
- Select Delete.
What happens next
A confirmation popup will appear, asking if you're sure you want to delete the Phantom or Workflow.
The message will remind you that:
- All associated result files and launch history will be deleted and cannot be recovered.
- Any leads saved to your LinkedIn Leads page will remain available, but they will no longer be linked to the deleted Phantom.
- Any filters or lists using the Phantom as a reference will stay in place.
Be sure to download any important data first. Deletion is permanent.
If you find yourself hitting the slot limit regularly, consider upgrading your plan to run more automations in parallel.
What is execution time
Execution time is the total number of hours your Phantoms and Workflows can run during your billing cycle.
Each PhantomBuster plan includes a monthly allowance. Usage is measured across all members of the workspace.
What happens when you reach the execution time limit
If you see this message: "Execution time exhausted"
It means your workspace has used all available time for the month.
How to manage or increase your execution time
1. Check your current usage:
To view how much execution time you've used:
- Click the Coin icon in the top-right corner of your PhantomBuster Workspace.
- You're now on your Usage page where you can view your monthly allowance and how much has been used.
2. Wait for the reset:
Execution time resets monthly on your billing date, typically between 00:00 and 01:00 (based on your workspace time zone). No action is required.
3. Upgrade your plan:
If your automations stop frequently due to time exhaustion, you can upgrade your subscription to access more execution time per month.