Scheduled actions
Schedule something once or run it repeatedly using RocketStack Scheduler, Cron, and Functions.
One-time
Recurring
Run once
For a specific future date and time.
Trigger an action once at a specific date and time.
Example uses
Run repeatedly
For work that follows a recurring expression.
Run recurring application work using a cron expression.
Example uses
Application-managed scheduling
RocketStack workflow
One-time flow
Recurring flow
Define when the application action should run.
Run the backend logic when the scheduled action fires.
Add asynchronous processing or workflow state when the scheduled action needs it.
Queue
KV
Example workflow
Simulated client-side demo with illustrative timings — no schedules are created in your account.
Example workflow
Illustrative timing — not a live schedule.
{
"accountId": "acct_123",
"type": "trial.reminder"
}Choose a schedule type and run the example workflow.
Use the RocketStack HTTP API or generated SDKs. Examples below use real request fields.
Mode
Step 1 of 4
Create the Function
Language
Deploy the backend logic that should run when the schedule fires.
// Deploy as ZIP: runtime nodejs20.x, handler index.handler
// Scheduler/Cron delivery includes payloadTemplate on the event.
export async function handler(event) {
const data = event.payloadTemplate || {};
const { accountId, type } = data;
await sendTrialReminder({ accountId, type });
return { sent: true, accountId };
}Ready to schedule your first action?
Keep your application where it is. Create RocketStack schedules from server-side routes and keep API keys off the client.
Keep your Next.js application where it is and create RocketStack schedules from server-side routes or actions.
// app/api/schedule-reminder/route.ts — server-side only
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const { accountId } = await request.json()
const runAt = new Date(Date.now() + 60 * 60 * 1000).toISOString()
const res = await fetch('https://api.rocketstack.sh/schedules', {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.ROCKETSTACK_API_KEY}`,
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
},
body: JSON.stringify({
name: `trial-reminder-${accountId}`.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9-_]/g, '-'),
runAt,
deliveryTarget: {
type: 'function',
functionId: process.env.ROCKETSTACK_FUNCTION_ID
},
payloadTemplate: {
accountId,
type: 'trial.reminder'
}
})
})
const body = await res.json()
return Response.json({ scheduleId: body.data.scheduleId, runAt }, { status: 201 })
}Related reading: View the Next.js template
Next.js starter
Clone a Next.js application with one-time Scheduler actions, recurring Cron jobs, and typed Function processing.
Principle 1
Convert user-facing dates and time zones before creating a schedule. Scheduler runAt values must be RFC 3339 with a timezone; Cron uses an IANA timezone (default UTC).
Principle 2
A repeated invocation should not send duplicate notifications or apply the same state change twice.
Principle 3
When a scheduled Function starts larger asynchronous work, enqueue that work to Queue so the schedule delivery stays short.
Principle 4
Record application-level completion state rather than assuming that invocation means the business action succeeded.
Use RocketStack MCP to deploy the Function and create the Scheduler or Cron resource behind the workflow.
Add a one-time trial reminder to this application using RocketStack.
Requirements:
- Deploy a RocketStack Function that sends the reminder
- Create a RocketStack Scheduler action for one hour after signup
- Pass the account and user identifiers in the invocation payloadTemplate
- Keep the workflow safe to retry
- Store secrets in server-side environment variables
- Surface failed executions clearlyScheduler, Cron, Functions, Queue, and KV are available on Free with lower monthly allowances.
PRIVATE ALPHA
Bring a real application, complete the setup during a guided session, and help shape the product.
Apply for the alphaIncoming events
Acknowledge webhooks immediately, then process each event safely in the background.
File workflows
Store uploads immediately, then process documents, images, CSVs, or AI tasks asynchronously.
Create a free account and deploy the Scheduler, Cron, and Function behind your first scheduled workflow.