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Workflow Trigger - Scheduler

Run time‑based, contactless automations in GHL Customer Care. Schedule hourly/daily/weekly/monthly, preview next runs, skip weekends, and integrate via webhooks & apps.

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  1. Key Benefits of the Workflow Scheduler Trigger
  2. Advanced (Cron) Scheduling
  3. Skip Weekends & Stop On
  4. Contactless Actions & Skip Behavior
  5. How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger
  6. Example Use Cases
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Related Articles

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Run automations on a precise clock with the Workflow Scheduler Trigger in GHL Customer Care. This contactless, time‑based trigger is ideal for operations, data hygiene, reporting, and integrations that don’t require a contact. This article shows how to use the scheduler trigger.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is the Workflow Scheduler Trigger?

The Workflow Scheduler Trigger is a native, contactless trigger that starts a workflow on a schedule you define—no contact enrollment required. It’s purpose‑built for recurring jobs like daily summaries, weekly performance posts, spreadsheet syncs, and web-hook pings. All run times follow your account timezone, with clear status indicators so you always know it’s working.

Key Benefits of the Workflow Scheduler Trigger

This section explains how Scheduler improves reliability and design simplicity for time‑driven automations while reducing maintenance costs compared to workarounds.

  • Clock‑based automation: Start workflows exactly when you need—hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, on a specific date/time, or via cron.

  • Contactless by design: Run ops tasks without enrolling contacts. Contact‑only actions are automatically skipped to avoid failures.

  • Timezone aware: Schedules run according to your account timezone to keep reporting and operations consistent.

  • Built‑in safeguards: Skip Weekends and Stop On (end date) help ensure compliance with business rules.

  • Safe to publish: Use Check Trigger Schedule to preview the next five executions before you go live.

  • Integrations ready: Pair with actions like Webhook (Outbound), Google Sheets, Airtable, Slack, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, and task creation for powerful ops automations.

Advanced (Cron) Scheduling

When presets aren’t enough, use cron to describe complex cadences (lists, ranges, and step values).

  • Syntax: Standard cron format: *minute *hour *day *month *weekday.
     

  • Examples:
     

    • '0 9 * * 1' (Mondays at 9 AM),
       

    • '30 14 1 * *' (1st of month at 2:30 PM),
       

    • '0 */2 * * *' (every 2 hours).

Note: Expressions that run more than once per hour are not allowed.
Advanced (Cron) Scheduling (image 1 of 9) What this shows Note: Expressions that run more than once per hour are not allowed. What this shows Illustrates the "Advanced (Cron) Scheduling" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot appears in the "Advanced (Cron) Scheduling" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". The text alongside this image reads: Note: Expressions that run more than once per hour are not allowed. This part of the guide covers 1 field, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Guardrails help you respect business calendars and project timelines. Use Skip Weekends to automatically avoid Saturday/Sunday, and Stop On to end the schedule on a specific date/time. Image 1 of 9 What this coversNote: Expressions that run more than once per hour are not allowed.
Fields in this part of the guide Examples:
Next stepGuardrails help you respect business calendars and project timelines. Use Skip Weekends to automatically avoid Saturday/Sunday, and Stop On to end the schedule on a specific date/time.
All 2 steps in this procedure
  1. Syntax: Standard cron format: *minute *hour *day *month *weekday.
  2. Examples:

Skip Weekends & Stop On

Guardrails help you respect business calendars and project timelines. Use Skip Weekends to automatically avoid Saturday/Sunday, and Stop On to end the schedule on a specific date/time.

  • Skip Weekends: Removes Saturday/Sunday occurrences from applicable schedules (Daily, Weekly, Every N days, Cron patterns that include weekends).

  • Stop On: Sets a final date/time after which future executions stop.

  • Works with Preview: both options are reflected in the next five executions list.

Skip Weekends & Stop On (image 2 of 9) What this shows Skip Weekends: Removes Saturday/Sunday occurrences from applicable schedules (Daily, Weekly, Every N days, Cron patterns that include weekends). What this shows Illustrates the "Skip Weekends & Stop On" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot appears in the "Skip Weekends & Stop On" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". The text alongside this image reads: Skip Weekends: Removes Saturday/Sunday occurrences from applicable schedules (Daily, Weekly, Every N days, Cron patterns that include weekends). Stop On: Sets a final date/time after which future executions stop. Works with Preview: both options are reflected in the next five executions list. Immediately after, the guide continues: Scheduler is meant for contactless operations. Steps that require a contact context won’t run; the workflow continues to the next supported step. Image 2 of 9 What this coversSkip Weekends: Removes Saturday/Sunday occurrences from applicable schedules (Daily, Weekly, Every N days, Cron patterns that include weekends). Stop On: Sets a final date/time after which future executions stop. Works with Preview: both options are reflected in the next five executions list.
Buttons and menus referenced Skip WeekendsStop Onfuture
Next stepScheduler is meant for contactless operations. Steps that require a contact context won’t run; the workflow continues to the next supported step.
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Skip Weekends: Removes Saturday/Sunday occurrences from applicable schedules (Daily, Weekly, Every N days, Cron patterns that include weekends).
  2. Stop On: Sets a final date/time after which future executions stop.
  3. Works with Preview: both options are reflected in the next five executions list.

Contactless Actions & Skip Behavior

Scheduler is meant for contactless operations. Steps that require a contact context won’t run; the workflow continues to the next supported step.

  • Good fits: Web-hook (Outbound), Custom Web-hook, Google Sheets, Airtable, Slack, Internal Email/SMS to teammates, Update/Set Custom Values, Create Task.

  • Skipped in contactless runs: Any step that explicitly needs a contact (for example, “Send SMS to Contact”).

  • Result: Skipped steps are noted in Execution Logs; downstream steps continue if they don’t require contact data.

How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger

Follow this guided setup to create a schedule, validate run times, and publish confidently.

  1. Go to Automations → Workflows.

    Step 1 of 9: Go to Automations → Workflows What this shows Step 1 of 9: Go to Automations → Workflows. What this shows Shows where to go for step 1 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you go to Automations → Workflows. For context, this section explains: Follow this guided setup to create a schedule, validate run times, and publish confidently. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. The next step is to create a new workflow or open an existing one. Step 1 of 9Image 3 of 9 Where to goGo to Automations → Workflows.
    Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
    Buttons and menus referenced Automations → WorkflowsAdd TriggerSchedulerChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLastEvery N daysOne‑off date/timeAdvanced (cron‑style)
    Next stepCreate a new workflow or open an existing one.
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Automations → Workflows. this image
    2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
    3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler.
    4. Choose an interval type:
    5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval.
    6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.

  2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.

  3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler.

    Step 3 of 9: Add Trigger → choose Scheduler What this shows Step 3 of 9: Add Trigger → choose Scheduler. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 3 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This animation accompanies step 3 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you add Trigger → choose Scheduler. For context, this section explains: Follow this guided setup to create a schedule, validate run times, and publish confidently. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. The next step is to choose an interval type. Step 3 of 9Image 4 of 9 What to chooseAdd Trigger → choose Scheduler.
    Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
    Buttons and menus referenced Add TriggerSchedulerAutomations → WorkflowsChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLastEvery N daysOne‑off date/timeAdvanced (cron‑style)
    Next stepChoose an interval type:
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Automations → Workflows.
    2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
    3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler. this image
    4. Choose an interval type:
    5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval.
    6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.

  4. Choose an interval type:

    • Custom (Nth weekday like 2nd Friday / 4th Monday; supports multiple times)

    • Daily (one or more times in a day)

    • Weekly (select days of week + time)

    • Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)

    • Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)

    • One‑off date/time (run once)

    • Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules

      Step 7 of 7: Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules What this shows Step 7 of 7: Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules What this shows Shows what this covers for step 7 of 7 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot accompanies step 7 of 7 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. Step 7 of 7Image 5 of 9 What this coversAdvanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
      Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
      Buttons and menus referenced Advanced (cron‑style)Automations → WorkflowsAdd TriggerSchedulerChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLastEvery N daysOne‑off date/time
      All 7 steps in this procedure
      1. Custom (Nth weekday like 2nd Friday / 4th Monday; supports multiple times)
      2. Daily (one or more times in a day)
      3. Weekly (select days of week + time)
      4. Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)
      5. Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)
      6. One‑off date/time (run once)
      7. Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules this image

  5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval.

    Step 5 of 9: Set the time(s) for the selected interval What this shows Step 5 of 9: Set the time(s) for the selected interval. What this shows Shows what this covers for step 5 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This animation accompanies step 5 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you set the time(s) for the selected interval. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. The next step is to click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional). Step 5 of 9Image 6 of 9 What this coversSet the time(s) for the selected interval.
    Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
    Buttons and menus referenced Set the time(s)Automations → WorkflowsAdd TriggerSchedulerChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLastEvery N daysOne‑off date/time
    Next stepClick on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Automations → Workflows.
    2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
    3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler.
    4. Choose an interval type:
    5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval. this image
    6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.

  6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional) 

    Step 6 of 9: Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if… What this shows Step 6 of 9: Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 6 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot accompanies step 6 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional). This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. The next step is to preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions). Step 6 of 9Image 7 of 9 What to chooseClick on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
    Buttons and menus referenced Advanced SettingsSkip WeekendsStop OnAutomations → WorkflowsAdd TriggerSchedulerChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLast
    Next stepPreview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Automations → Workflows.
    2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
    3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler.
    4. Choose an interval type:
    5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval.
    6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional) this image
    7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.

  7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).

    Step 7 of 9: Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm… What this shows Step 7 of 9: Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions). What this shows Shows how to confirm for step 7 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot accompanies step 7 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions). This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. The next step is to add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task). Step 7 of 9Image 8 of 9 How to confirmPreview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
    Buttons and menus referenced PreviewCheck Trigger ScheduleAutomations → WorkflowsAdd TriggerSchedulerChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLastEvery N days
    Next stepAdd actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Automations → Workflows.
    2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
    3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler.
    4. Choose an interval type:
    5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval.
    6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions). this image
    8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.

  8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).

  9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.

    Step 9 of 9: Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured… What this shows Step 9 of 9: Publish the workflow. What this shows Shows how to confirm for step 9 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". This screenshot accompanies step 9 of 9 in the "How to Use the Workflow Scheduler Trigger" section of "Workflow Trigger - Scheduler". At this point in the walkthrough you publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. Step 9 of 9Image 9 of 9 How to confirmPublish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on.
    Fields in this part of the guide Daily (one or more times in a day)Weekly (select days of week + time)Monthly (choose day 1–31 or Last + time)Every N days (e.g., every 2 days at 9:00 AM)One‑off date/time (run once)Advanced (cron‑style) for complex schedules
    Buttons and menus referenced PublishAutomations → WorkflowsAdd TriggerSchedulerChoose an interval typeCustomDailyWeeklyMonthlyLastEvery N daysOne‑off date/time
    All 9 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Automations → Workflows.
    2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
    3. Add Trigger → choose Scheduler.
    4. Choose an interval type:
    5. Set the time(s) for the selected interval.
    6. Click on Advanced Settings: toggle Skip Weekends and set Stop On if you need an end date. (Optional)
    7. Preview the next run times using Check Trigger Schedule to confirm cadence (shows the next five executions).
    8. Add actions suited for contactless runs (e.g., Web-hook (Outbound), Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, internal email/SMS to teammates, Custom Values, Create Task).
    9. Publish the workflow. Scheduler will start running at the configured times from now on. this image

Example Use Cases

  • Sheet Refresh: Update Airtable records every 4 hours via the Airtable integration.
  • Routine Reports: Send daily summaries or weekly performance emails/Slack posts.
  • Timed Reminders: Schedule follow-ups every morning at 8 AM.
  • Ops Jobs: Nightly data hygiene, syncs to Google Sheets/Asana/Slack, webhook pings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Scheduler contactless?

Yes. It does not enroll contacts. Steps that require a contact are skipped; the run continues to the next supported step.

Q. Does Scheduler backfill missed executions?

No. Scheduler triggers on upcoming times while the workflow is Published. Past occurrences are not executed retroactively.

Q. Can I schedule multiple times in a single day?

Yes. Daily and Custom options support multiple times.

Q. How does “Skip Weekends” work?

Saturday/Sunday occurrences are automatically removed from the schedule. Preview reflects this immediately.

Q. What does “Stop On” do?

It sets a final date/time after which future scheduled runs will stop.

Q. What actions work best with Scheduler?

Contactless actions such as Web-hook (Outbound), Google Sheets, Airtable, Slack, internal notifications, Custom Values, and task creation.

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