A cron job is a command the server runs for you on a timetable, for example every 15 minutes or once a day. Websites use cron jobs to send reminder emails, run WordPress scheduled tasks or clear out old files.
Set up a cron job in cPanel
- Log in to cPanel at https://cloud.lurstanhost.net:2083.
- Under Advanced, open Cron Jobs.
- Under Add New Cron Job, pick a time from Common Settings, such as once per fifteen minutes. Or set the minute, hour, day, month and weekday yourself.
- Type the command in the Command box.
- Select Add New Cron Job. The job appears under Current Cron Jobs, where you can edit or delete it.
Example commands
Run a PHP script:
/usr/local/bin/php /home/USERNAME/public_html/script.php
Replace USERNAME with your cPanel username. The cPanel home page shows your home folder under General Information.
Run WordPress scheduled tasks on a timetable instead of on page visits:
/usr/local/bin/php /home/USERNAME/public_html/wp-cron.php >/dev/null 2>&1
Then add define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true); to your wp-config.php file, so WordPress does not also run them on every visit.
If your script needs a particular PHP version, open a support ticket and we will give you the right command.
Emails from cron jobs
When a job prints anything, the server emails it to the address under Cron Email at the top of the Cron Jobs page. To stop these emails for one job, add >/dev/null 2>&1 to the end of its command.
Good practice
- Run a job only as often as it needs. Every 15 minutes or once an hour is enough for most websites.
- A job must finish and stop. Scripts that run all the time are not allowed on shared hosting. See our Acceptable Use Policy.
- Email sent by a job counts towards the limit of 200 messages an hour for each domain.
