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

# Schedules

> Run Tracecat workflows on a time-based cadence: configure cron schedules, fixed intervals, and trigger payloads for recurring automations.

## Overview

Schedules run a workflow on a time-based cadence. The workflow must be saved before a schedule can be created.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/tracecat/9IEnC4OWdnuB3EvN/img/triggers/schedule.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9IEnC4OWdnuB3EvN&q=85&s=c23b3352768786c01c75022fe5af55ad" alt="Schedule trigger" width="2874" height="1838" data-path="img/triggers/schedule.png" />

## Schedule types

Schedule types:

* Interval schedules use `every`.
* Cron schedules use `cron`.

Cron uses standard 5-field or 6-field expressions.

## Schedule fields

* Status: `online` or `offline`.
* Start time: optional.
* End time: optional.
* Timeout: optional, and `0` means no timeout.
* Offset: interval-only, using an ISO 8601 duration.

## When to use schedules

Use schedules for:

* Polling an external system on a fixed cadence.
* Running cleanup or maintenance workflows on a timer.
* Syncing data or refreshing enrichments throughout the day.