Schedule Workflows
The Workflow Scheduler in rtrvr.ai allows you to automate tasks to run in the background at specified intervals using cron schedules. This is particularly useful for repetitive tasks like data extraction, reporting, or monitoring, allowing you to set up workflows and have them run automatically.
Core Concepts
Here are the core concepts of the Workflow Scheduler:
- →Cron Schedules: Define when your workflows should run using cron expressions.
- →Automated Execution: Workflows run automatically in the background without requiring manual intervention.
- →Background Processing: Once a schedule is set, workflows run in the background without needing the browser to be open.
- →Reusing Workflows: Select previously successful workflows to schedule for automated execution.
Setting Up a Workflow Schedule
Here's how to schedule a workflow:
- →Create a Successful Workflow: Ensure you have a working workflow that you want to automate.
- →Access the Scheduler: Navigate to the "Scheduler" settings within the rtrvr.ai side panel.
- →Enter a Cron Schedule: Specify when you want your workflow to run using a cron expression.
- →Select the Workflow: Choose the workflow you want to run from the list of saved workflows.
- →Enable the Schedule: Enable the workflow to start running at the specified times.
Understanding Cron Schedules
Cron expressions are used to specify the timing of scheduled tasks. A cron expression typically consists of five or six fields:
| Field | Description | Allowed Values |
|---|---|---|
| Minute | The minute of the hour the task will run | 0-59 |
| Hour | The hour of the day the task will run | 0-23 |
| Day of Month | The day of the month the task will run | 1-31 |
| Month | The month of the year the task will run | 1-12 (or JAN-DEC) |
| Day of Week | The day of the week the task will run | 0-6 (0 is Sunday, or SUN-SAT) |
Example Cron Schedules
- →
0 0 * * *Runs the workflow every day at midnight. - →
0 9 * * 1-5Runs the workflow every weekday (Monday to Friday) at 9 AM. - →
0 12 * * 6Runs the workflow every Saturday at 12 PM. - →
0 0 1 * *Runs the workflow on the first day of every month.
Tips for Workflow Scheduling
- →Test Thoroughly: Before scheduling, make sure your workflow runs smoothly.
- →Start Simple: If you're new to cron expressions, start with basic schedules and then increase the complexity as you are comfortable.
- →Monitor Regularly: Check the execution logs to ensure your workflows are running as expected.