Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A base station may determine a configuration including a set of signature waveforms for a micro-sleep mode of operation in shared spectrum, and may transmit the configuration to at least one user equipment (UE) served by the base station. Additionally, a UE may receive a configuration including a set of signature waveforms for a micro-sleep mode of operation in shared spectrum. The UE may detect at least one signature waveform of the set of signature waveforms, and in response to detecting the at least one signature waveform, operate in the micro-sleep mode for a period of time.