OpenClaw Scheduled Tasks Tutorial

Before starting, please complete the [01-Hardware Configuration], [02-openclaw API-KEY Configuration], [03-openclaw Model Switching], [04-AI Voice Interaction Configuration], [05-Three Dialogue Solution Configuration Tests] under the Prerequisites directory. If you are currently only using TUI / whatsapp, you can skip 04 for now. This article assumes the basic environment has been prepared and only expands on "fixed-time automatic script execution" part of the content.

1. Tutorial Objectives

This article demonstrates through "AI-generated script + Linux scheduled execution" how OpenClaw upgrades from immediate dialogue to automated peripheral applications. After completing this tutorial, readers can:

• Understand the basic implementation approach of OpenClaw scheduled tasks

• Distinguish the scenarios suitable for HEARTBEAT and cron respectively

• Describe automation requirements through three methods: whatsapp, TUI, and voice code

2. Hardware Preparation

• OpenClaw mainboard

• DHT temperature and humidity sensor

• OLED display

• RGB light strip / RGB light bead module

• [Optional] CSI camera

• [Optional] AI voice module + speaker

Description:

• The core of this tutorial is "scheduled execution", not requiring all peripherals to be connected simultaneously

• Connect the corresponding hardware first for the type of automation task you want to do

3. Test Scheduled Task Basic Capability

Before starting this project, please complete one openclaw tui basic dialogue self-check; if you haven't done it yet, see [05-Three Dialogue Solution Configuration Tests]. After passing, enter scheduled task specific testing.

It is recommended to test in the following order:

1. First enter OpenClaw TUI

2. Let OpenClaw generate a simple script

3. Run the script manually in terminal, confirm functionality is normal

Terminal input:

openclaw tui

It is recommended to first try the following type of requirements:

• Help me write a script to display current temperature and humidity on OLED, save to desktop

• Generate a script that reads temperature and humidity and prints results every time it runs

• Write a script to make RGB light green for 3 seconds then turn off

After the script is generated, first run it manually, for example:

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python3 /home/jetson/Desktop/your_script.py

4. Three Solutions for Communicating with OpenClaw

If optional AI voice module + speaker are selected, whatsapp dialogue, tui, whatsapp dialogue need to broadcast OpenClaw's reply content. You can run the following program in terminal. AI voice module dialogue does not need to run repeatedly

• Modify whether to enable broadcast parameter

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/home/jetson/voice_to_openclaw/.env

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ENABLE_TTS=true  #This parameter controls whether to broadcast. After modification and saving, run the following program in terminal

• Terminal input

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cd ~/voice_to_openclaw
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m src.openclaw_session_tts

4.1 whatsapp Solution

For whatsapp connection steps, please directly refer to [05-Three Dialogue Solution Configuration Tests]. This section is more suitable for describing requirements, for example:

• Help me create a scheduled task: make RGB lights up red every minute as a remind, then turn off the light.

4.2 TUI Solution

If you have completed the TUI self-check in Chapter 0, directly enter terminal text dialogue:

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openclaw tui

Then you can directly enter project-related commands, for example:

• Help me create a scheduled task: read temperature and humidity every minute and display on OLED

4.3 Voice Code Solution

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Requires optional AI voice interaction module + speaker

For voice module installation, environment configuration, and basic wake-up process, please directly refer to [04-AI Voice Interaction Configuration]. After waking up, you can directly say control content, for example:

• Help me create a scheduled task: read temperature and humidity every minute and display on OLED

• If you want to stop the scheduled task, you can say in the current dialogue session: stop the current scheduled task for me

  

• You can use the command cron list to view current scheduled tasks

5. Project Implementation

Note: The following are all dialogue demonstrations using openclaw tui method. You can also choose whatsapp or voice method to complete.

5.1 Scenario One: Hourly Temperature and Humidity Sampling

Experimental Objective

Let the device automatically read temperature and humidity once per hour, and record results or synchronize to screen.

Effect Description

This is the most basic and common scheduled task scenario. It can later be further expanded into logs, dashboards, environmental alerts, or plant care projects.

Example Instructions

• Help me make a scheduled task: read temperature and humidity every minute and display on OLED

5.2 Scenario Two: Timed Status Reminder

Experimental Objective

At a fixed time, use RGB or OLED to make a clear reminder.

Effect Description

This type of task is suitable for water drinking reminders, class reminders, patrol reminders, status switching reminders. It does not emphasize continuous running, but emphasizes triggering a clear action at a certain time point.

Example Instructions

• Help me make a scheduled task: make RGB light red every minute to remind, then turn off

5.3 Scenario Three: Timed Patrol Script

Experimental Objective

String multiple peripheral actions together to form a periodically executable small automation task.

Effect Description

For example, read temperature and humidity once per hour. If status is abnormal, light alert, and display results to OLED. This type of task is already close to a complete small project, and is also the most obvious place where "AI-generated script" combines with "scheduled execution".

Example Instructions

• Help me make a scheduled task: read temperature and humidity once per minute, light red when abnormal, and prompt on OLED