Scheduling & Automation

Flow Master's scheduling system enables unattended automation, allowing your flows to run automatically based on time, events, or conditions.

Table of Contents

• Scheduling Overview
• Schedule Types
• Creating Schedules
• Managing Scheduled Flows
• Monitoring and Logging
• Advanced Scheduling
• Troubleshooting

Scheduling Overview

What is Scheduling?

Scheduling allows flows to execute automatically without manual intervention:

• Time-based: Run at specific times or intervals
• Event-based: Trigger on system events or file changes
• Condition-based: Execute when certain conditions are met
• Recurring: Repeat on defined schedules

Benefits of Scheduling

• Unattended Operation: Run tasks overnight or during off-hours
• Consistency: Execute tasks at exact intervals
• Efficiency: Automate repetitive daily/weekly tasks
• Monitoring: Track execution history and success rates

Prerequisites

• Flow Master running with proper permissions
• Flows tested and working correctly in manual mode
• System configured to stay awake during scheduled times
• Network connectivity for cloud-dependent automations

Schedule Types

Time-Based Schedules

Fixed Time

Interval-Based

Cron Expressions

Event-Based Schedules

File System Events

System Events

Application Events

Conditional Schedules

Resource-Based

State-Based

Creating Schedules

Step 1: Select Flow

1. Navigate to Flows tab
2. Select the flow you want to schedule
3. Click "Schedule Flow" button
4. Review flow compatibility for unattended execution

Step 2: Choose Schedule Type

1. One-time: Single execution at specific time
2. Recurring: Repeat based on pattern
3. Conditional: Execute when conditions met
4. Manual: Trigger via hotkey or API

Step 3: Configure Timing

Simple Scheduling

Advanced Scheduling

Step 4: Set Execution Parameters

Environment Settings

Flow Parameters

Step 5: Test and Activate

1. Test Run: Execute once to verify settings
2. Validate Schedule: Confirm next execution time
3. Enable Schedule: Activate automatic execution
4. Monitor: Check first few executions

Managing Scheduled Flows

Schedule Dashboard

Overview Information

Schedule List

Schedule Operations

Editing Schedules

1. Modify Timing: Change execution times or frequency
2. Update Parameters: Adjust flow variables
3. Change Conditions: Update execution criteria
4. Pause/Resume: Temporarily disable without deleting

Bulk Operations

Schedule Dependencies

Flow Chains

Conditional Dependencies

Monitoring and Logging

Execution Monitoring

Real-Time Status

Historical Tracking

Logging Configuration

Log Levels

Log Retention

Notifications and Alerts

Success Notifications

Failure Alerts

Advanced Scheduling

Dynamic Scheduling

Adaptive Timing

Machine Learning Integration

Enterprise Features

Multi-User Scheduling

Integration APIs

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Schedule Not Running

Execution Failures

Performance Problems

Best Practices

Schedule Design

• Conservative Timing: Allow extra time for completion
• Resource Planning: Consider system capacity
• Error Handling: Plan for failure scenarios
• Testing: Thoroughly test scheduled flows
• Documentation: Document schedule purposes and dependencies

System Maintenance

Security Considerations

• Access Control: Limit who can create/modify schedules
• Credential Management: Secure storage of automation credentials
• Audit Logging: Track all schedule-related activities
• Network Security: Secure communication for remote flows
• Data Protection: Encrypt sensitive automation data