How to manage the cron task scheduler in Plesk

The following tutorial will show you how to configure and manage crontabs in Plesk, a Windows hosting control panel. Crontab will allow you to automatically run scheduled tasks on the server, and if selected, you will receive an automatic email showing the results.

1. Log in to your Windows Plesk control panel and navigate to Additional Tools, then click on Scheduled Tasks.
2. Select User: Choose the user for whom you want to manage the crontab, then click Next.
3. Set Email for Cron Reports:
   1. You will see two options: Schedule New Task and Preferences.
   2. Click on Preferences, enter the email address where you want to receive cron reports and click “OK.”

Setting Up a New Cron Job:

1. Create New Task:
   Click on Schedule New Task, which opens a page titled Editing the Crontab task for (username).
2. Configure Task Details:
   1. Switched on: Ensure this box is checked to activate the task.
   2. Minutes: Specify the desired minute interval.
   3. Hour: Specify the hour for the task.
   4. Day of the Month: Enter * to apply the task across the month.
   5. Command: Enter the path of the file to execute, e.g., /usr/bin/python -s /var/mailman/cron/checkdbs, then click OK.

After clicking OK, you’ll see a confirmation message: “Information: New task has been scheduled.” The new task will appear in the list.

Managing Existing Tasks

1. To edit an existing task, click on it to modify details.
2. To remove a task, check the box next to it, click Remove, confirm by ticking the checkbox, and click OK. You’ll receive a message: “Information: Scheduled task has been removed.”

You are now set to manage cron jobs in Plesk. Good luck!