# Cron Scheduler

> Manage cron jobs on macOS/Linux - list, add, remove, backup, and schedule recurring tasks

- Skill: `dvcrn/cron-scheduler-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dvcrn/cron-scheduler-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dvcrn/cron-scheduler-2/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dvcrn (https://skillmd.com/u/dvcrn)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dvcrn/cron-scheduler-2

---


# Cron Scheduler Skill

A comprehensive skill for managing cron jobs on both macOS and Linux systems.

## Features

1. **List Jobs** - View all cron jobs for the current user
2. **Add Job** - Create new cron jobs with schedule validation
3. **Remove Job** - Delete jobs by line number or pattern
4. **Edit Crontab** - Open crontab in your default editor
5. **Next Runs** - See when each job will execute next
6. **Backup/Restore** - Safely backup and restore crontab configurations
7. **Service Control** - Start/stop/status of cron daemon
8. **Templates** - Common schedule patterns for quick setup

## Requirements

- `crontab` command (pre-installed on macOS/Linux)
- `bash` shell
- Optional: `cronnext` for accurate next-run predictions (Linux)

## Installation

```bash
# Make the script executable
chmod +x ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/cron-scheduler/scripts/cron-helper.sh

# Optional: Add to PATH
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.openclaw/workspace/skills/cron-scheduler/scripts:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc
```

## Usage

### List all cron jobs
```bash
cron-scheduler list
# or
cron-scheduler l
```

### Add a new cron job
```bash
# Daily backup at 2am
cron-scheduler add "0 2 * * *" "~/scripts/backup.sh"

# Every hour
cron-scheduler add "0 * * * *" "~/scripts/hourly-task.sh"

# Every 5 minutes
cron-scheduler add "*/5 * * * *" "~/scripts/monitor.sh"
```

### Remove cron jobs
```bash
# By line number (use 'list' first to see line numbers)
cron-scheduler remove 3

# By pattern (matches anywhere in the line)
cron-scheduler removep "backup"
```

### Edit crontab directly
```bash
cron-scheduler edit
# or
cron-scheduler e
```

### Show next run times
```bash
cron-scheduler next
# or
cron-scheduler n
```

### Backup and restore
```bash
# Create backup
cron-scheduler backup

# List available backups
cron-scheduler restore

# Restore specific backup
cron-scheduler restore ~/.cron-backups/crontab_20240315_143022.bak
```

### Manage cron service
```bash
# Check status
cron-scheduler service status

# Start cron (may require sudo)
cron-scheduler service start

# Stop cron (may require sudo)
cron-scheduler service stop
```

### View templates
```bash
cron-scheduler templates
# or
cron-scheduler t
```

## Cron Schedule Format

```
┌──────────── minute (0 - 59)
│ ┌────────── hour (0 - 23)
│ │ ┌──────── day of month (1 - 31)
│ │ │ ┌------ month (1 - 12)
│ │ │ │ ┌---- day of week (0 - 6, Sunday=0)
* * * * *
```

### Common Examples

| Schedule | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `0 0 * * *` | Daily at midnight |
| `0 2 * * *` | Daily at 2am |
| `0 * * * *` | Every hour |
| `*/5 * * * *` | Every 5 minutes |
| `0 9 * * 1-5` | Weekdays at 9am |
| `0 0 * * 0` | Weekly on Sunday |
| `0 0 1 * *` | Monthly on 1st |

## Platform Support

- **macOS**: Uses `launchctl` for service management
- **Linux**: Uses `systemctl` for service management

## Safety Features

- Temporary files used for atomic crontab modifications
- Backup created before any destructive operations
- Confirmation prompt before restore
- Schedule validation before adding jobs