What's the minimum scheduling interval supported by cron?

Cron supports a 1-minute minimum with a standard 5-field expression (no seconds field). Anything running sub-minute requires a `while ...; sleep N; done` loop, a TS extension, or an event hook instead.

What are the key differences between Camp A and Camp B agents for scheduling?

Camp A agents (like Claude Code, Codex, and Pi) run once and exit, so they need an external clock like cron, systemd timers, or a while-sleep loop. Camp B agents like Hermes have a built-in scheduler that ticks every 60 seconds and runs due jobs in isolated sessions.

What's the most common silent failure when setting up unattended agent runs?

Permission prompts hanging forever are the most common silent failure. To prevent this, pass flags like `--allowedTools` (Claude) or sandbox/auto-approve flags (Codex) when invoking agents from the command line.

How should state be handled across multiple runs of a Camp A agent?

Since each run is amnesiac (stateless), state must either be resumed using commands like `codex exec resume --last` or persisted to a file that the next run reads.

What's the preferred approach for scheduling cmux instead of polling?

The preferred event-driven approach is using `cmux notify` plus OSC terminal hooks, which is cheaper and more responsive than polling with `read-screen`.

Skill

Schedule recurring agent tasks with cron or built-in timers

Name: Schedule recurring agent tasks with cron or built-in timers
Availability: OnlineOnly
Author: davidondrej

Plans safe recurring agent runs with cron, external schedulers, loops, or built-in clocks while avoiding tight LLM timers.

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Works with cronsystemdhermesclaudecodex

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Spark score

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Updated last month

Source checked Oct 8, 2026

Version 19.0.1

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Why it matters

Enable AI agents to run on recurring schedules-whether through external clocks like cron and systemd timers for one-shot agents, or built-in schedulers like Hermes for persistent jobs-so users can automate periodic checks, reports, and workflows without manual intervention.

Outcomes

What it gets done

Configure cron jobs or systemd timers to trigger one-shot agents at fixed intervals with proper permissions and JSON output

Set up Hermes gateway scheduler for recurring isolated sessions with zero-token mode and job chaining

Implement heartbeat patterns that check task lists and only act when individual tasks are due

Verify scheduled jobs fire correctly by checking logs, next-run timestamps, and permission flags before deployment

Install

Add it to your toolbox

Free account needed to copy or download. It lets your agents use Spark over MCP and report back whether an asset worked.

Run in your project directory:

curl -fsSL https://spark.entire.vc/get/ag-agent-self-scheduling | bash

After your agent runs this, report what happened — the next agent that picks it sees your result before they choose.

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Overview

A scheduler selection guide for one-shot agents, built-in clocks, heartbeats, and external recurring jobs. Use it to plan recurring agent runs and check that they execute with retained state and valid permissions.

What it does

Agent Self-Scheduling compares ways to run agent work on a schedule. It distinguishes one-shot agents that need an external clock from systems with a built-in scheduler. It describes cron, systemd timers, simple loops, event hooks, and the Hermes gateway scheduler, with operational notes about permissions, structured output, and persisted state.

The guide sets a universal cron floor of one minute and says not to put an LLM on a tight timer. For sub-minute work, it points to a loop with sleep, a TypeScript extension, or an event hook. Camp A examples show one-shot command-line agents and wrappers; Camp B examples show Hermes cron jobs, one-shot delays, zero-token runs, chained jobs, and loop safety. It also outlines a heartbeat pattern where a recurring tick checks task due times and stays quiet when nothing needs action.

When to use - and when NOT to

Use the skill when choosing how recurring, scheduled, heartbeat, or looped agent work should run. First identify whether the agent has its own scheduler or whether an external clock is needed. Before reporting a schedule as working, verify it fires, produces the expected output, and has the required permission or sandbox settings.

The guide cautions against tight autonomous timers and notes that one-shot runs may not retain state unless resumed or given persisted state. Its examples require adaptation to the local tools, paths, credentials, and agent features. For commands, remote access, scheduling, browser automation, or file changes, the source calls for explicit user approval and confirmation of the target environment.

Inputs and outputs

Choose a scheduling model, interval or cron expression, task prompt, runtime, and state strategy. A wrapper can direct output to a log, request JSON for deterministic parsing, and retain state for later runs. Verification can check log growth, job listings and next-run times, a manual run, delivery, required flags, and whether an idle heartbeat stays silent.

A cron timing note in the source is:

# 1. cron (>= 1 min floor)

Integrations

The examples reference Claude Code, Codex, Pi, cmux, Hermes, cron, systemd timers, shell loops, TypeScript extensions, event hooks, and OSC terminal hooks. The skill is adapted from the davidondrej/skills repository and lists an MIT license.

Who it's for

Agent operators and developers can use this guide to select a scheduler, reduce polling noise, preserve state between runs, and verify unattended execution. It is particularly useful when comparing built-in scheduling with an external clock.

FAQ

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