Docs/APIs/Cron Expression Generator

Cron Expression Generator

Generate cron expressions from natural language

OperationalCredits 5 per callp50 1685msData GenerationStar

Overview

Cron Expression Generator works by analyzing natural language schedule descriptions and using AI to generate accurate cron expressions. Perfect for setting up automated tasks and scheduled jobs.

Endpoint

One host, one path per API. The block below shows this call in four languages; every one of them is the same HTTP request. Making requests covers the timeouts, retries and parameter rules that apply to all of them. The SDKs wrap the same call in a typed client.

GEThttps://api.apiverve.com/v1/crongenerator
curl "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/crongenerator?schedule=every%20weekday%20at%209am" \
  -H "x-api-key: your_api_key_here"
const res = await fetch('https://api.apiverve.com/v1/crongenerator?schedule=every%20weekday%20at%209am', {
  headers: { 'x-api-key': 'your_api_key_here' },
});

if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);

const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data);
import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/crongenerator?schedule=every%20weekday%20at%209am",
    headers={"x-api-key": "your_api_key_here"},
    timeout=15,
)
res.raise_for_status()

print(res.json()["data"])
package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"io"
	"net/http"
)

func main() {
	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/crongenerator?schedule=every%20weekday%20at%209am", nil)
	req.Header.Set("x-api-key", "your_api_key_here")

	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		panic(err)
	}
	defer res.Body.Close()

	out, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
	fmt.Println(string(out))
}

Replace your_api_key_here with the key from your dashboard. When the inputs arrive as a list rather than one at a time, batch requests run up to 200 of them through this same API in a single call.

Authentication

Send your key in the x-api-key header. That is the only auth step — there is no token exchange and no per-endpoint scope to configure. Authentication covers creating, rotating and revoking keys.

401 is the only auth verdict

A 401 means the key is missing, invalid or expired. A 403 means the key is valid but not permitted here — blocked by a key restriction or an IP allow-list. Running out of credits is a 429.

Parameters

Sent in the query string. Premium parameters are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.

ParameterTypeDescription
scheduleRequiredstringNatural language description of the schedule (max 200 characters)
length 0–200

Response

Every API returns the same three top-level keys, so one response handler covers your whole integration: status, error and data. Only data changes shape. Response format covers the envelope, the other output formats and how premium fields are withheld.

Sample response
{
  "status": "ok",
  "error": null,
  "data": {
    "schedule": "every weekday at 9am",
    "expression": "0 9 * * 1-5",
    "description": "Runs every weekday at 9:00 AM."
  }
}

Response fields

Paths are relative to data. Premium fields are absent rather than zeroed on plans that do not include them, so check for presence instead of comparing to 0.

FieldTypeExampleDescription
schedulestring"every weekday at 9am"Original natural language schedule description provided
expressionstring"0 9 * * 1-5"Generated cron expression in standard 5-field format
descriptionPremiumstring"Runs every weekday at 9:00 AM."Human-readable explanation of the cron expression behavior

Errors

Read the HTTP status first, then error for the specific reason. The body names the parameter that has to change. Error handling covers the full status list and which of them are worth retrying.

StatusMeaningWhat to do
400Input was rejectedRead error; it names the parameter.
401Key missing or invalidCheck the header name and the key value.
403Key valid, but not permittedA key restriction or IP allow-list; see key scoping.
429Rate limited, or out of creditsRead error to tell them apart; see rate limits.

Use cases

Task Automation
Convert natural language schedules into cron expressions for automated task scheduling in Linux, Jenkins, or CI/CD pipelines
Backup Scheduling
Generate cron expressions for automated backup schedules without memorizing complex cron syntax
Report Generation
Create cron expressions for scheduled report generation and email delivery tasks
System Maintenance
Generate cron expressions for maintenance windows, cleanup tasks, and system health checks

Other ways to use Cron Expression Generator

Set up Cron Expression Generator on APIVerve, or reach the same source a different way. Your APIVerve account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.

Give it to an AI agentConnect over MCP and your agent calls it as a native tool — Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT.VerveKitReference →

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