Unraveling the Enigma of Cron Jobs in WordPress

As one of the most widely used platforms for creating websites and blogs, WordPress has become a popular choice for personal and business use. With an extensive user base and a plethora of plugins available, it is easily one of the most versatile options out there. But, have you ever heard of Cron Jobs?

What on Earth is a Cron Job?

In simpler terms, a Cron job is essentially a scheduled task that runs automatically at specific intervals. In the context of WordPress, Cron jobs play a vital role in performing various automated tasks, such as sending scheduled emails, updating plugins, and publishing posts at fixed timings to keep your website up-to-date and well-functioning.

WordPress has two types of Cron jobs- WP-Cron and Server Cron. If you’re perplexed about which one to choose, read on to find out the differences between them.

WP-Cron

WP-Cron, also known as WordPress Cron, is a scheduled task based on the WordPress platform that runs each time your site is triggered. Whenever someone visits your site, WP-Cron kicks in to perform minor tasks that don’t need many server resources.

Server Cron

Server Cron, on the other hand, is a scheduled task that runs directly on the server. Unlike WP-Cron, it is more reliable as it isn’t dependent on your site’s traffic. Depending on your needs, you can schedule Server Cron jobs to run every minute or every day.

How to Set up a Cron Job in WordPress

Now that you’re well-versed with the types of Cron jobs, let’s move on to the actual process of setting up a Cron job in WordPress. But before we proceed, you need to have access to your website’s cPanel or any other server management tool to carry out the following steps.

Step 1: Access the cPanel dashboard

First things first, you will need to log in to your website’s control panel, also referred to as the cPanel. If you’re not sure how to access it, get in touch with your website’s hosting company for help.

Step 2: Locate the Cron Jobs section

Once you’ve logged into the cPanel, go over to the Advanced section where you’ll find the Cron Jobs section.

Step 3: Select the frequency of the cron job

After finding the Cron Jobs section, choose the frequency of your Cron job. You can select from the five preset options mentioned below:

• Every minute
• Every five minutes
• Every 10 minutes
• Every 15 minutes
• Every 30 minutes

In the input field, enter the frequency you’ve chosen. For instance, if you’d like the Cron job to run every five minutes, enter `*/5` in the input field.

Step 4: Enter the command

After selecting the frequency of the Cron job, enter the command you’d like to run. Enter the full path to the script or file you wish to run in the command field, which can differ based on the task you’d like the Cron job to perform.

If you’d like to execute the `wp-cron.php` script, the command would read as:

`php /home/user/public_html/wp-cron.php`

Step 5: Set up your Cron job

Once you’ve entered the command, give your Cron job a name and click on “Add New Cron Job.” Now, the Cron job is added to your server and will run at the selected frequency.

Note that WP-Cron jobs will only run when someone visits your site. If you wish to run a Cron job independent of traffic, resort to Server Cron.

How to Set up a Server Cron Job in WordPress

If you’re looking to automate more complex tasks, Server Cron is your best bet. Here are the steps involved in setting up a Server Cron job:

Step 1: SSH into your server

To set up a Server Cron job, you first need to SSH into your server using a program like PuTTY.

Step 2: Locate the crontab file

Upon successfully SSHing into your server, you need to locate the crontab file. The crontab file is a configuration file that contains a list of all the Cron jobs scheduled to run on the server.

Type in the following command to locate the crontab file:

`crontab -e`

Step 3: Enter the Cron job command

After accessing the crontab file, enter the Cron job command specifying what needs to be done and how often it needs to be done. For instance, if you want the Cron job to run every five minutes, enter the following command:

`*/5 * * * * /usr/bin/php /path/to/wp-cron.php`

Now, the wp-cron.php script would run every five minutes.

Step 4: Save the crontab file

Once you’ve entered the Cron job command, save the crontab file by pressing Ctrl+X, followed by Y, and lastly, Enter.

Step 5: Verify the Cron job has been added

Check if the Cron job has been added by running the following command in the terminal:

`crontab -l`

This command will list out all the Cron jobs that have been added to the crontab file.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, setting up a Cron job in WordPress can be of tremendous help in automating tasks on your website, thereby saving you a lot of time and effort. WP-Cron and Server Cron are two distinct Cron jobs, and each has its distinct advantages. By following the steps mentioned above, you can set up a Cron job in WordPress and enjoy the benefits of automation. If you require further assistance or guidance, feel free to get in touch with your website’s hosting company or developer.