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Scheduled Flows

Scheduled Flows in FlowRunner™ let you automate business processes by defining when and how often a flow should execute. Whether generating weekly reports, running maintenance tasks, or processing recurring updates, scheduled flows ensure automation runs seamlessly at the times you specify.

Creating a Schedule

To set up a schedule for a flow version:

  1. Open the Flow Manager and click the Configure Flow Schedule icon:
    configure schedule

  2. In the Configure Flow Schedule popup, define the schedule’s parameters, including:

  3. Start Time: When the flow should first execute.
  4. Frequency: How often the flow should run.
  5. Expiration (optional): The date/time when the schedule should stop automatically.

configure flow schedule

Schedules are activated when the flow version is started, either through the FlowRunner user interface or programmatically via the API. Note that each flow version can have its own unique schedule.

Flow Execution Policy

The Flow Execution Policy section in the Configure Flow Schedule popup provides additional control over how your flows are triggered:

  • Allow only scheduled flow instances: Enabling this option ensures that new flow instances are created exclusively by the scheduler. If disabled, and the flow begins with a trigger, instances can also be created by events generated by the trigger. Use this option to guarantee that scheduling remains the sole mechanism for starting new instances when enabled.
  • Allow flow instantiation via API when the schedule expires: This option is available only when an expiration date/time is set. When enabled, new flow instances can be created via the Call Flow API after the schedule has expired.

These options give you fine-grained control over how and when flows can be executed, ensuring alignment with your automation strategy.

Start Times and Expiration

The start time determines when a schedule first triggers and sets the timing for recurring executions. Adding an expiration date ensures the schedule stops after a specific period, preventing unnecessary resource usage and providing better control over long-running processes.

Frequency Options

FlowRunner™ offers flexible frequency settings to match various automation needs:

schedule frequencies

  • Once: Execute the flow at a specific time.
  • Every X seconds: Repeat execution at intervals of 60 seconds or longer.
  • Daily: Run the flow every day or at custom intervals.
  • Weekly: Execute on specific days each week, ideal for tasks like reporting.
  • Monthly: Schedule execution on specific days or recurring weekdays each month.
  • Cron: Use a cron expression for advanced scheduling.

Removing a Schedule

To stop a scheduled flow:
1. Open the Configure Flow Schedule popup.
2. Click the Remove Scheduling button.

This action deactivates the schedule, preventing future executions. Active instances of the flow that were triggered before removal will continue to run until completed.