Set the schedule for an automation
Scheduling controls when your automation runs. Automations support two scheduling modes, plus optional start/end dates.
If you are setting up your rule for the first time, see Create an automation from scratch to understand how scheduling fits into the full setup.
Scheduling mode 1: Take action (recurring)
This is the default option (“Take Action”). You define two frequencies:
- Check frequency: How often the system evaluates the conditions.
- Action frequency: How often the system can execute the action(s) after conditions are met.
To understand how conditions are evaluated during each check, see Set conditions for an automation.
To decide what happens when conditions are met, see Add actions to an automation.
Rules to remember:
- Action frequency can’t be shorter than check frequency.
- After the first action happens, future actions follow the action frequency (even if checks happen more often).
Available frequency options
|
Option |
Meaning |
|
Once hourly |
Runs every hour |
|
Once in 3 hours |
Runs every 3 hours |
|
Once in 6 hours |
Runs every 6 hours |
|
Once in 12 hours |
Runs every 12 hours |
|
Once a day |
Runs daily |
|
Once in 2 days |
Runs every 2 days |
|
Once in 3 days |
Runs every 3 days |
|
Once in 4 days |
Runs every 4 days |
|
Once in 7 days |
Runs weekly |
|
Once in 14 days |
Runs every 14 days |
|
Once in 30 days |
Runs every 30 days |
|
Once in 90 days |
Runs every 90 days |
|
Only once |
Runs a single time |
Scheduling mode 2: Specific days & times (dayparting)
Use Specific Days & Times when you want the automation to run on selected days of the week and specific times of day.
In this mode:
- Checking and action happen at the same time (there’s no separate check vs action frequency).
Show more options: start and end dates
You can optionally set a start date, an end date, or both.
- The automation runs only inside that date range.
- Once the end date is reached, the system automatically pauses the automation.
To learn how paused automations behave and how to reactivate them, see How to manage Automations.
Related links
- Add actions to an automation
- Set conditions for an automation
- Create an automation from scratch
- How to manage Automations
- How to read automation logs
Need more help?
If you have questions about your setup or the best rule structure for your account, contact your dedicated Customer Success Manager or reach out to the support team via live chat.