System updates occasionally require a server restart to take effect.

The Smart Scheduled Maintenance feature in RunCloud lets you schedule routine server restarts on a recurring basis, or trigger them automatically only when a system update requires a restart.

Accessing Scheduled Maintenance

To manage your automated restart settings:

  1. Log in to your RunCloud dashboard.
  2. Select the server you want to configure.
  3. Click Settings in the left menu and scroll down to the Scheduled Maintenance section. You will see two options, both disabled by default:
    • Scheduled Restart
    • Auto-Restart When Required

Method 1: Scheduled Restart

This option restarts your server on a set, recurring schedule, regardless of whether there are pending system updates.

  1. Toggle the Scheduled Restart switch to On.
  2. Under the Schedule Type dropdown, you have two options:
    • Pre-defined schedule: Choose one of RunCloud’s built-in preset times (for example, Daily at 1 AM (+00:00)).
    • Custom cron schedule: Select Custom (advanced – cron) from the dropdown. This reveals a Custom Cron Expression field where you can define a precise schedule using standard cron format (for example, 0 28 3 ? * MON-FRI * to run at 03:28 AM, Monday through Friday (+00:00)).
  3. Review the read-only boxes below the dropdown to confirm your parsed Schedule and the exact date and time of the Next restart.
  4. Check the required confirmation box: “I understand the risks of an unattended scheduled restart.”
  5. Click the blue Save Restart Schedule button.

Note: To learn more about cron expressions, see How to Create Cron Jobs and The Complete Guide to Scheduling Tasks.

Method 2: Auto-Restart When Required

Use this option if you only want your server to restart when a system update specifically requires it. Rather than rebooting immediately when an update is triggered, the RunCloud agent waits until your designated maintenance window.

How to configure Auto-Restart When Required:

  1. Toggle the Auto-Restart When Required switch to On.
  2. Under the Maintenance Window dropdown, select the day and time you want the system to use for these reboots (for example, Sunday at 3 AM (+00:00)).
  3. Review the read-only Schedule box to verify your settings.
  4. Read the mandatory warning text provided by RunCloud.
  5. Check the required confirmation box: “I understand the risks of an unattended automatic restart.”
  6. Click the blue Save Maintenance Window button.

Handling Restart Recommendations

If you choose not to use the automated scheduling features, RunCloud will still alert you when your system needs a restart.

When a system update requires a restart, a Restart Recommended badge will appear on your Server Overview page and in the main Servers List.

You can then manually restart the server from the RunCloud Dashboard.

If you’re not ready to restart at that time, you can dismiss this reminder from the dashboard.