> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Set Up Cron Jobs (Scheduled Tasks)

> Run a command or open a web address automatically on a schedule with cron jobs in the FREAKHOSTING Web Panel, for example for WordPress cron, backups scripts or Laravel's scheduler.

A **cron job** runs a task for you on a schedule, such as every hour or once a day. You can run a **command** on your website or **request a URL** (open a web address), which is handy for apps that tell you to "set up a cron".

> **Difficulty**
>
> Intermediate

> **Time**
>
> 5 minutes

***

## Add a cron job

**1. Open Developer tools**

Go to [**Websites**](https://web.freakhosting.com/websites), click your website, then open **Advanced** → **Developer tools** and scroll to **Cron jobs**.

**2. Click Add**

The **Add cron job** form opens.

**3. Choose the type**

* **Run command**: runs a command on your website, for example a PHP script.
* **Request URL**: opens a web address, for example `https://yourdomain.com/wp-cron.php`.

**4. Enter the command or URL**

Fill in **Command** or **Request URL**.

**5. Choose how often it runs**

Pick an **Interval**: every minute, every 15 minutes (the default), every hour, every day, every week, every month, or **Custom** to enter your own cron schedule.

![Add cron job form with Run command and Request URL options, a Request URL field, and an Interval drop-down](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI/images/web-panel/cron-add.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI\&q=85\&s=e491e673186c99ac54599233e75a114b)

Add a cron job

**6. Click Add**

You'll see *Cron job added*. The job appears in the list with its schedule in plain words and in cron format, for example *Every hour – 0 \* \* \* \**.

> [!NOTE]
>
> A **Request URL** job is saved as a command that fetches the address quietly in the background, so in the list it shows as a `wget` command instead of the URL you typed. That's expected.

To change or remove a job, click **⋮** on its row and choose **Edit** or **Delete**.

![Developer tools page showing a cron job that runs every hour with its command, the Allow editing of cron from website container toggle, and IonCube loader and Redis toggles below](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI/images/web-panel/cron-ioncube-redis.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI\&q=85\&s=5f513e0e4a34bf3ab8f7ee3027fafca5)

The Cron jobs list in Developer tools

***

## Custom schedules

**Custom** uses the standard five-part cron format: minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week.

| Schedule | Cron format |
| - | - |
| Every 5 minutes | `*/5 * * * *` |
| Every day at 03:00 | `0 3 * * *` |
| Every Monday at 09:30 | `30 9 * * 1` |
| First day of every month at midnight | `0 0 1 * *` |

> [!NOTE]
>
> Schedules use **Central European Time** (CET, or CEST in summer), which is one hour ahead of UK time. For example, `0 3 * * *` runs at 02:00 UK time.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> Installing WordPress from the [Apps tab](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-install-wordpress-and-web-apps.md) adds a cron job for you (`wp-cli cron event run --due-now`) that runs WordPress's scheduled tasks every hour. Leave it in place.

## Common examples

> **WordPress: run wp-cron on a schedule**
>
> WordPress installed from the Apps tab already has an hourly job. If scheduled posts need to run more often, add a **Request URL** job for `https://yourdomain.com/wp-cron.php` every 15 minutes.

> **Run a PHP script**
>
> Use **Run command** with `php` followed by the path to the script inside your home directory, for example `php public_html/cron.php`.

> **Laravel scheduler**
>
> Use **Run command** with `php artisan schedule:run` run from your Laravel folder, every minute.
>
> Commands start in your home directory, so include the folder, for example `php my-laravel-app/artisan schedule:run`.

***

## Allow editing of cron from website container

This toggle is **off** by default. When it's off, cron jobs can only be changed in the Web Panel. Turn it on only if your software needs to manage its own cron jobs (for example with the `crontab` command over SSH).

> [!WARNING]
>
> Leave this off unless you need it. If your website is ever hacked, malware often adds its own cron jobs so it can come back after you clean it up.

***

## Troubleshooting

> **My cron job doesn't seem to run**
>
> 1. Check the interval in the list is what you expect.
> 2. Run the same command over [SSH](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-connect-with-ssh-and-sftp.md), or open the URL in your browser, to see if it works by hand.
> 3. Make sure paths are correct. Commands run on your website, so use paths inside your home directory.

> **A Request URL job fails**
>
> The URL must be reachable on the internet, so your domain needs to point to FREAKHOSTING and have a working [SSL certificate](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-ssl-certificates-and-https.md) if you use `https://`.

> **I see cron jobs I didn't add**
>
> If **Allow editing of cron from website container** is on, software on your website can add jobs. Delete anything you don't recognise, turn the toggle off, and check your website for malware.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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