cron-setup

# Cron Job Setup

Our conventions for creating cron jobs in OpenClaw.

## Default Settings

| Setting | Default | Why |
|---------|---------|-----|
| **Model** | `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5` | Reliable tool calls, works with any Anthropic Max plan — no OpenRouter needed |
| **Session** | `isolated` | Cron jobs run in their own session, not the main chat |
| **Delivery** | `"mode": "none"` | Job handles its own output (posts to Discord, etc.) |
| **Timeout** | 120-180s | Most jobs should finish fast |

## Model Notes

- **Default to Sonnet** (`anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5`). Reliable, portable (no OpenRouter API key needed).
- **DeepSeek is unreliable** for tool calls — don't use it for cron jobs.
- **Use Opus** (`anthropic/claude-opus-4-6`) only as a last resort — expensive for scheduled tasks.
- **Model ID format:** Use `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5` not the full dated version (`anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514`).

## Job Template

```json
{
  "name": "descriptive-kebab-case-name",
  "schedule": {
    "kind": "cron",
    "expr": "*/30 * * * *",
    "tz": "America/New_York"
  },
  "sessionTarget": "isolated",
  "payload": {
    "kind": "agentTurn",
    "message": "TASK INSTRUCTIONS HERE",
    "model": "openrouter/deepseek/deepseek-v3.2",
    "timeoutSeconds": 120
  },
  "delivery": {
    "mode": "none"
  }
}
```

## Schedule Patterns

| Pattern | Cron Expression | Notes |
|---------|----------------|-------|
| Every 30 min | `*/30 * * * *` | Good for inbox checks, monitoring |
| Every hour | `0 * * * *` | Self-reflection, status checks |
| Daily at 4 AM | `0 4 * * *` | Cleanup, backups (during quiet hours) |
| Daily at 6 AM | `0 6 * * *` | Morning digests, daily summaries |
| Weekly Monday 2 PM | `0 14 * * 1` | Weekly outreach, reviews |
| One-shot | Use `"kind": "at"` instead | Reminders, one-time tasks |

## Task Instruction Conventions

1. **Be explicit with commands** — Give the cron agent exact bash commands to run. It doesn't have our context.
2. **Include sk...