Schedule bulk actions to repeat automatically on a recurring basis, so your agency can send reminders, update records, and run reports without manual intervention.

### Overview

- **What it is:** **Recurring Actions** let you schedule a bulk action to run automatically at a set frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, or custom intervals) with defined start and end dates.
- **Why it matters:** Many agency workflows require repetitive tasks, such as weekly court reminders or monthly compliance checks. Recurring actions automate these processes, saving staff time and ensuring nothing is missed.
- **Who uses it:** Agency administrators and supervisors who manage ongoing communication campaigns, scheduled reports, or routine data updates.
- **Expected outcomes:** Automated execution of bulk actions on schedule, consistent outreach to clients, reduced manual workload, and a complete audit trail of each run.

### Prerequisites

- An active eCourtDate agency account
- Role with permission to manage bulk actions
- A bulk action configuration ready to schedule (message template, filters, and parameters defined)
- Understanding of the desired frequency and date range for the recurring action

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Navigate to Recurring Actions

1. Click **Bulk Actions** from the main navigation.
2. Select **Recurring Actions** from the submenu.
3. Review existing recurring actions or click **Create Recurring Action** to set up a new one.

#### Step 2: Configure the Bulk Action

1. Click **Create Recurring Action**.
2. Select the **Action Type** from the dropdown (such as send message, update status, or generate report).
3. Configure the action parameters, including target audience filters, message template, and any other required settings.
4. Preview the configuration to confirm it matches your intended workflow.

#### Step 3: Set the Schedule

1. Select the **Frequency** from the dropdown: daily, weekly, monthly, or custom.
2. For weekly frequency, select the day(s) of the week the action should run.
3. For monthly frequency, select the day of the month.
4. For custom frequency, enter the interval in days.
5. Set the **Start Date** for when the recurring action should begin.
6. Set an optional **End Date** to define when the recurring action should stop.
7. Click **Save** to activate the recurring action.

#### Step 4: Review Run History

1. Open a recurring action from the **Recurring Actions** list.
2. Click the **History** tab to view a log of all completed runs.
3. Review the date, status, records processed, and any errors for each run.
4. Use this information to verify the action is performing as expected.

#### Step 5: Pause or Resume a Recurring Action

1. Open the recurring action you want to pause.
2. Click **Pause** to temporarily stop the action from running.
3. The action remains in the list with a paused status.
4. Click **Resume** when you are ready to reactivate it.

#### Step 6: Modify a Recurring Action

1. Open the recurring action you want to update.
2. Click **Edit** to change the action parameters, frequency, or date range.
3. Review the updated configuration.
4. Click **Save** to apply your changes. The next scheduled run will use the updated settings.

### What to Expect

Once saved and activated, the recurring action runs automatically at the scheduled frequency. Each run processes records that match the configured filters at the time of execution. Run history updates after each completed execution. Pausing a recurring action stops future runs without deleting the configuration or history.

### Best Practices

- Start with a conservative frequency and increase as needed after reviewing initial results.
- Set end dates for time-bound campaigns (such as seasonal reminders) to prevent them from running indefinitely.
- Review run history weekly to catch any errors or unexpected results early.
- Use descriptive names for recurring actions so your team can quickly identify their purpose.
- Pause recurring actions during holidays or system maintenance windows to avoid sending messages at inappropriate times.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What happens if a recurring action runs but no records match the filters?**
A: The run completes with zero records processed. This is logged in the run history so you can review and adjust the filters if needed.

**Q: Can I run a recurring action manually outside its schedule?**
A: Yes. Open the recurring action and click **Run Now** to trigger an immediate execution without waiting for the next scheduled run. This does not affect the regular schedule.

**Q: What happens when a recurring action reaches its end date?**
A: The action stops running automatically and its status changes to completed. The configuration and run history remain available for review. You can reactivate it by setting a new end date.

**Q: Can I have multiple recurring actions running at the same time?**
A: Yes. You can create as many recurring actions as your workflow requires. Each runs independently on its own schedule.

**Q: Will modifying a recurring action affect past run history?**
A: No. Changes only apply to future runs. Past run history is preserved with the settings that were active at the time of each execution.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Recurring action did not run at the scheduled time.
**Symptoms:** The run history shows no entry for the expected date and time.
**Solution:** Verify the recurring action status is active (not paused). Check that the start date has passed and the end date has not been reached. Review your agency's system status for any maintenance windows that may have affected scheduled tasks.

**Issue:** Recurring action processes fewer records than expected.
**Symptoms:** Run history shows a lower count than anticipated.
**Solution:** Review the filter criteria configured for the action. Filters are applied at the time of each run, so changes in your data (such as updated statuses or new records) affect which records match. Adjust the filters to capture the intended audience.

### Related Articles

- [How to Create Bulk Templates](/how-to-create-bulk-templates)
- [How to Send Bulk Messages](/how-to-send-bulk-messages)
- [How to Manage Bulk Actions](/how-to-manage-bulk-actions)