CronJob Scheduling (Schedule)

Overview

The CronJob scheduling feature in FlashPanel allows you to automate server operations by executing shell commands at specified intervals. This powerful automation system supports routine maintenance, backups, updates, and custom scripts, making server management more efficient and reliable.

Key Features

• Flexible Scheduling: Support for standard cron expressions with visual editor
• User Context: Execute commands under specific Linux users
• Real-time Monitoring: Live execution logs and status tracking
• Template Library: Pre-defined templates for common scheduling patterns
• Custom Scripts: Integration with custom script library
• AI-Powered Descriptions: Automatic description generation for commands

Creating a Scheduled Job

You can create scheduled jobs through the FlashPanel console via the CronJobs tab in your server's management console.

Required Information

When creating a new scheduled job, you need to provide:

• Command: The shell command to execute

  # Example: Laravel artisan command
  php /home/flashvps/default/artisan schedule:run
  
  # Example: Database backup
  mysqldump -u root -p$DB_PASSWORD mydatabase > /backups/db_$(date +\%Y\%m\%d).sql
  
  # Example: Log cleanup
  find /var/log -name "*.log" -mtime +7 -delete

• User: System user that will execute the command (e.g., flashvps, root)

• Cron Expression: Defines when and how often the command runs

• Description: Optional description for easy identification (max 100 characters)

Cron Expression Builder

The system provides an intuitive cron expression builder with:

📚 Want to learn more about Cron Expressions?

For a comprehensive guide to cron expressions, syntax, examples, and best practices, visit our detailed Cron Job & Expressions Guide.

Visual Editor

Five input fields representing:

• Minute (0-59)
• Hour (0-23)
• Day of Month (1-31)
• Month (1-12 or JAN-DEC)
• Day of Week (0-6 or SUN-SAT)

Predefined Templates

Template	Cron Expression	Description
Every Minute	* * * * *	Runs every minute
Hourly	0 * * * *	Runs at the start of each hour
Nightly	0 0 * * *	Runs daily at midnight
Weekly	0 0 * * 0	Runs every Sunday at midnight
Monthly	0 0 1 * *	Runs on the 1st of each month
Yearly	0 0 1 1 *	Runs on January 1st
On Reboot	@reboot	Runs once at system startup

Real-time Explanation

The system provides instant feedback showing when your cron job will execute in human-readable format.

Managing Scheduled Jobs

Viewing Jobs

All scheduled jobs are displayed in a comprehensive table showing:

• ID: Unique identifier
• Description: Job description or auto-generated summary
• Cron: Expression with tooltip explanation
• User: Linux user executing the command
• Actions: Available operations

Available Actions

View Command Details

Click on any row to expand and view the full command in a syntax-highlighted editor.

Edit Job

Modify existing jobs using the same interface as creation, with all current values pre-populated.

View Logs

Access execution logs to monitor job performance and troubleshoot issues. Logs include:

• Command output
• Error messages
• Execution timestamps
• Exit codes

Delete Job

Remove scheduled jobs with confirmation dialog to prevent accidental deletion.

Common Use Cases

Laravel Applications

For Laravel applications using Laravel's task scheduling, create a job that runs every minute:

# Command
php /path/to/your/laravel/app/artisan schedule:run

# Cron Expression
* * * * *

# User
flashvps

Database Backups

# Daily MySQL backup at 2 AM
mysqldump -u root -p$DB_PASSWORD database_name > /backups/db_$(date +\%Y\%m\%d).sql

# Cron Expression
0 2 * * *

System Maintenance

# Weekly system updates on Sunday at 3 AM
apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y

# Cron Expression
0 3 * * 0

Log Management

# Daily cleanup of old log files
find /var/log -name "*.log" -mtime +30 -delete

# Cron Expression
0 1 * * *

Application Cache

# Hourly cache clearing
php /var/www/html/artisan cache:clear

# Cron Expression
0 * * * *

Advanced Features

Custom Script Integration

Select from your custom script library when creating scheduled jobs, allowing you to reuse tested commands across multiple schedules.

AI-Powered Descriptions

The system can automatically generate descriptive names for your commands using AI analysis, making it easier to identify jobs at a glance.

Real-time Updates

All changes are reflected in real-time through WebSocket connections, ensuring your team sees updates immediately.

User Permissions

Jobs can be executed under different Linux users, providing proper permission isolation and security.

Troubleshooting

Job Not Running?

If your scheduled job isn't executing:

1. Check Command Path: Ensure all paths are absolute and correct
2. Verify Permissions: Make sure the specified user has necessary permissions
3. Review Logs: Check the job logs for error messages
4. Test Command: Run the command manually as the specified user
5. Validate Cron Expression: Use the built-in explanation to verify timing

Common Issues

Path Problems

# Wrong (relative path)
php artisan schedule:run

# Correct (absolute path)
php /home/flashvps/myapp/artisan schedule:run

Permission Errors

# Ensure the user has access to required directories
# Check file ownership and permissions
ls -la /path/to/your/script

Environment Variables

# Commands may need full environment setup
/bin/bash -l -c "source ~/.bashrc && your_command"

Security Considerations

• Always use absolute paths in commands
• Run jobs with minimal required privileges
• Avoid storing sensitive data in command strings
• Use environment variables for credentials
• Regularly review and audit scheduled jobs
• Monitor job execution logs for suspicious activity

Best Practices

1. Use Descriptive Names: Add clear descriptions to identify jobs easily
2. Test Commands: Always test commands manually before scheduling
3. Monitor Logs: Regularly check execution logs for errors
4. Use Appropriate Users: Choose the right Linux user for each task
5. Backup Critical Jobs: Document important scheduled tasks
6. Avoid Overlapping: Ensure long-running jobs don't overlap
7. Handle Failures: Include error handling in your scripts
8. Regular Cleanup: Remove unused or obsolete jobs

The CronJob scheduling feature provides a robust foundation for server automation, helping you maintain efficient and reliable server operations with minimal manual intervention.