Schedule a task with Cron Jobs
Set a schedule and an exact command without accidentally running it too often.
Where Tools → Advanced → Cron Jobs
Before you start
- Get the complete command and recommended schedule from the application developer. Confirm the server timezone with support.
- Know how long the task takes and whether overlapping runs are safe. Do not paste an unfamiliar command into a scheduled job.
Steps
-
1
Open Cron Jobs. In Cron Email, enter an address you monitor and click Update Email if you want to change where command output is sent. This is separate from creating the job.
-
2
Review all five fields. For example, a once-per-day preset runs once daily, whereas an asterisk in Minute means every minute when the other fields match. Confirm the intended time in the server’s timezone.
-
3
In Command, enter the exact executable and script path supplied for your account. For PHP, use the correct command-line PHP version; the website’s PHP selection may not automatically change a cron command.
-
4
Find the new row under Current Cron Jobs. Later, use that row’s Edit or Delete action for the matching task, checking the full command so you do not change another job.
-
5
Scroll to Add New Cron Job. Choose a suitable preset in Common Settings to fill the schedule fields, or fill Minute, Hour, Day, Month and Weekday yourself.
Common Settings and all five schedule fields are above Command and Add New Cron Job. -
6
Keep useful output while first testing. Do not suppress all output merely to hide errors. Review the schedule and command, then click Add New Cron Job.
Command and Add New Cron Job are below the schedule; existing jobs appear underneath.
Check it worked
- Wait for the scheduled time and confirm the application’s expected result, not just that a row exists.
- Review emailed output and application logs. If a job repeats too often or overlaps, stop/change that specific job and consult the developer.