Docs: add actionable cron quick start (#5446)
* Docs: add cron quick start examples * Docs: de-duplicate cron tool-call examples * Docs: fix cron code block fences
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@@ -25,6 +25,49 @@ cron is the mechanism.
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- **Isolated**: run a dedicated agent turn in `cron:<jobId>`, optionally deliver output.
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- Wakeups are first-class: a job can request “wake now” vs “next heartbeat”.
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## Quick start (actionable)
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Create a one-shot reminder, verify it exists, and run it immediately:
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```bash
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openclaw cron add \
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--name "Reminder" \
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--at "2026-02-01T16:00:00Z" \
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--session main \
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--system-event "Reminder: check the cron docs draft" \
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--wake now \
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--delete-after-run
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openclaw cron list
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openclaw cron run <job-id> --force
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openclaw cron runs --id <job-id>
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```
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Schedule a recurring isolated job with delivery:
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```bash
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openclaw cron add \
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--name "Morning brief" \
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--cron "0 7 * * *" \
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--tz "America/Los_Angeles" \
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--session isolated \
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--message "Summarize overnight updates." \
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--deliver \
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--channel slack \
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--to "channel:C1234567890"
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```
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## Tool-call equivalents (Gateway cron tool)
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For the canonical JSON shapes and examples, see [JSON schema for tool calls](/automation/cron-jobs#json-schema-for-tool-calls).
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## Where cron jobs are stored
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Cron jobs are persisted on the Gateway host at `~/.openclaw/cron/jobs.json` by default.
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The Gateway loads the file into memory and writes it back on changes, so manual edits
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are only safe when the Gateway is stopped. Prefer `openclaw cron add/edit` or the cron
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tool call API for changes.
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## Beginner-friendly overview
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Think of a cron job as: **when** to run + **what** to do.
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@@ -173,6 +216,82 @@ Prefixed targets like `telegram:...` / `telegram:group:...` are also accepted:
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- `telegram:group:-1001234567890:topic:123`
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## JSON schema for tool calls
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Use these shapes when calling Gateway `cron.*` tools directly (agent tool calls or RPC).
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CLI flags accept human durations like `20m`, but tool calls use epoch milliseconds for
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`atMs` and `everyMs` (ISO timestamps are accepted for `at` times).
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### cron.add params
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One-shot, main session job (system event):
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```json
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{
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"name": "Reminder",
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"schedule": { "kind": "at", "atMs": 1738262400000 },
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"sessionTarget": "main",
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"wakeMode": "now",
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"payload": { "kind": "systemEvent", "text": "Reminder text" },
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"deleteAfterRun": true
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}
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```
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Recurring, isolated job with delivery:
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```json
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{
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"name": "Morning brief",
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"schedule": { "kind": "cron", "expr": "0 7 * * *", "tz": "America/Los_Angeles" },
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"sessionTarget": "isolated",
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"wakeMode": "next-heartbeat",
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"payload": {
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"kind": "agentTurn",
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"message": "Summarize overnight updates.",
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"deliver": true,
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"channel": "slack",
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"to": "channel:C1234567890",
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"bestEffortDeliver": true
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},
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"isolation": { "postToMainPrefix": "Cron", "postToMainMode": "summary" }
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}
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```
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Notes:
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- `schedule.kind`: `at` (`atMs`), `every` (`everyMs`), or `cron` (`expr`, optional `tz`).
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- `atMs` and `everyMs` are epoch milliseconds.
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- `sessionTarget` must be `"main"` or `"isolated"` and must match `payload.kind`.
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- Optional fields: `agentId`, `description`, `enabled`, `deleteAfterRun`, `isolation`.
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- `wakeMode` defaults to `"next-heartbeat"` when omitted.
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### cron.update params
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```json
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{
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"jobId": "job-123",
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"patch": {
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"enabled": false,
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"schedule": { "kind": "every", "everyMs": 3600000 }
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}
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}
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```
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Notes:
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- `jobId` is canonical; `id` is accepted for compatibility.
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- Use `agentId: null` in the patch to clear an agent binding.
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### cron.run and cron.remove params
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```json
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{ "jobId": "job-123", "mode": "force" }
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```
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```json
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{ "jobId": "job-123" }
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```
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## Storage & history
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- Job store: `~/.openclaw/cron/jobs.json` (Gateway-managed JSON).
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@@ -251,7 +370,7 @@ openclaw cron add \
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Isolated job with model and thinking override:
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````bash
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```bash
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openclaw cron add \
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--name "Deep analysis" \
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--cron "0 6 * * 1" \
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@@ -263,6 +382,7 @@ openclaw cron add \
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--deliver \
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--channel whatsapp \
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--to "+15551234567"
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```
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Agent selection (multi-agent setups):
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```bash
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@@ -272,14 +392,12 @@ openclaw cron add --name "Ops sweep" --cron "0 6 * * *" --session isolated --mes
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# Switch or clear the agent on an existing job
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openclaw cron edit <jobId> --agent ops
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openclaw cron edit <jobId> --clear-agent
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````
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````
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```
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Manual run (debug):
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```bash
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openclaw cron run <jobId> --force
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````
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```
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Edit an existing job (patch fields):
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