n8n Schedule Trigger and Cron: Run Workflows on a Timetable

Many useful automations run on a clock: daily reports, payment reminders, weekly summaries. The Schedule Trigger handles this.

Setting a schedule

Choose an interval such as every X minutes, hours, days or weeks, or use a cron expression for precise timing. A cron expression has fields for minute, hour, day, month and weekday.

Time zone

Check the time zone in the workflow settings. A report meant for 9 am can arrive at the wrong time if the zone is wrong.

Active workflows only

A schedule runs only when the workflow is active, and n8n must be running. A computer that is asleep will miss runs: see why a workflow does not trigger.

Avoid duplicates

If a workflow runs often, record what it has already processed, for example by marking rows as done, so the same item is not handled twice.

Long jobs

If one run may take longer than the interval, runs can overlap. Use a longer interval or process in batches.

Examples

Daily summary of new leads, weekly report sent to your team, and reminders for unpaid invoices (invoice reminders).

Quick answers

Why did my scheduled workflow not run?

It may be inactive, n8n may have been stopped or the time zone may be wrong.

What is a cron expression?

A short text with fields for minute, hour, day, month and weekday that defines a schedule.

How do I avoid duplicate processing?

Mark processed items, for example with a status column.