Claude Code scheduled tasks

Source: Claude Code Docs Topic: Claude Code scheduling modes, /loop, and session-scoped recurring prompts.

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1. Three scheduling modes

Anthropic compares cloud tasks, desktop tasks, and session-scoped /loop tasks. The table is useful because it spells out where work runs, whether the machine must stay on, whether the session must remain open, and whether the schedule survives restarts.

2. /loop is lightweight but ephemeral

The /loop skill schedules recurring prompts inside the current session. It is explicitly session-scoped and disappears when the process exits, which makes it good for polling and reminders but not for durable automation.

3. Scheduled tasks are first-class tooling

Claude uses dedicated cron tools such as CronCreate, CronList, and CronDelete. Scheduled prompts can also invoke other commands or skills, which means the scheduler is operating on harness primitives rather than only on plain text reminders.

4. Runtime semantics matter

The docs specify local-timezone interpretation, low-priority enqueueing between turns, deterministic jitter, and one-shot reminders. Anthropic is therefore documenting scheduling as runtime behavior, not only as UX sugar.