How to set up a cron job

A cron job runs a script automatically on a schedule — handy for backups, WordPress tasks or any recurring job.

Create a cron job

  1. Log in to cPanel and, under Advanced, click Cron Jobs.
  2. Under Add New Cron Job, pick how often it should run using the Common Settings dropdown (for example Once Per Day).
  3. Enter the command to run.
  4. Click Add New Cron Job.

Common commands

To run a PHP script: php /home/youruser/public_html/script.php. For a WordPress cron, your plugin or developer will give you the exact command.

Tips

Don't schedule jobs more often than you need — every minute is rarely necessary and wastes resources. Add your email at the top to get output by email. Unsure of the command? Ask us.

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