Schedule bulk actions to run automatically on a recurring basis from the Recurring Actions page, eliminating manual effort and ensuring consistent outreach, event creation, or client updates across your agency.

### Overview

Recurring Actions is a dedicated feature in eCourtDate that lets you automate bulk actions on a set schedule. Instead of manually creating and running a new bulk action each time, you create a recurring action with a defined frequency, configure the action-type-specific settings, and let the system handle execution automatically. This feature is managed from its own page at **Recurring Actions**, separate from the standard Bulk Actions page.

- **What it does:** Runs a configured bulk action automatically at your chosen frequency (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) without manual intervention.
- **Why it matters:** Reduces manual workload, prevents missed communications or updates, and keeps your agency's outreach and workflows consistent over time.
- **Who should use it:** Administrators, clerks, and supervisors who manage repetitive bulk workflows such as weekly hearing reminders, monthly payment reminders, or recurring client status updates.
- **Expected outcome:** Bulk actions execute automatically at your defined schedule, and you can review run history to confirm each execution.

### Prerequisites

Before setting up a recurring action, make sure you have:

- An active eCourtDate staging or production agency account
- Super Admin role or both the **Create Bulk Actions** and **Update Bulk Actions** permissions
- A clear understanding of the action type you want to automate and its configuration requirements
- Client filters and action settings already planned and tested with a one-time bulk action
- The frequency, start date, and scheduled time determined for your recurring schedule

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Navigate to Recurring Actions

1. Log in to your eCourtDate agency.
2. Click **Recurring Actions** in the top navigation bar.
   - Alternatively, navigate to **Bulk Actions** and click the **Recurring Actions** tab.

#### Step 2: Create a New Recurring Action

1. Click the **Create** button on the Recurring Actions page.
2. Enter a descriptive **Title** for the recurring action (for example, "Weekly Hearing Reminder - Division A" or "Monthly Supervision Fee Creation").

#### Step 3: Configure the Schedule

1. Select the **Action Type** from the dropdown. Available types include **Send Messages**, **Create Events**, **Assign Users**, **Update Clients**, **Create Payments**, **Assign Tasks**, and others.
2. Select the **Frequency** from the dropdown:
   - **Daily** for actions that need to run every day
   - **Weekly** for weekly outreach or workflows
   - **Bi-Weekly** for every-other-week schedules
   - **Monthly** for monthly reminders, payments, or reports
3. Select the **Start Date** to define when the recurring schedule begins.
4. Select the **End Date** to define when the recurring schedule stops. Leave blank if the action should continue indefinitely.
5. Set the **Scheduled Time** to control the time of day the action runs.

#### Step 4: Configure Action-Type-Specific Settings

1. Fill in the action settings based on the action type you selected. These fields are the same as the regular bulk action form for that type:
   - For **Send Messages**: enter the message subject, body, and language translations
   - For **Create Events**: set event dates, locations, flows, and judges
   - For **Assign Users**: select the user to assign and configure assignment options
   - For **Update Clients**: select which client fields to update and their new values
   - For **Create Payments**: enter the amount, dates, location, and status
   - For **Assign Tasks**: enter task content and due dates
2. Review all settings to confirm they match your intended workflow.

#### Step 5: Set Up Client Filters

1. Use the **Search Clients** section to define which clients the recurring action targets.
2. Apply filters such as **Client Status**, **Assigned User**, **Assigned Group**, **Assigned Organization**, **Case Number**, and date ranges.
3. Set the **Client Limit** if you want to cap the number of clients processed per run.

> **Note:** Client filters are re-evaluated each time the recurring action runs. Newly added clients who match your filters are automatically included in the next execution.

#### Step 6: Save the Recurring Action

1. Review all settings, including the title, schedule, action configuration, and client filters.
2. Click **Save** to create the recurring action.

The recurring action is now active and will run automatically at the scheduled frequency and time.

### What to Expect

After saving a recurring action, eCourtDate processes it automatically at each scheduled interval. The client filters are re-evaluated on each run, so newly added clients who match your filters are automatically included. You receive an email notification after each run completes, including a summary of records processed and any errors. The recurring action continues running at the set frequency until it reaches the end date or you pause or delete it.

### How to Manage Recurring Actions

#### View Run History

1. Navigate to **Recurring Actions** from the top navigation bar.
2. Locate the recurring action in the list.
3. Click the action to open its details.
4. Review the **Run History** section to view a log of past executions, including the date, status, and number of records processed for each run.

#### Pause a Recurring Action

1. Open the recurring action from the list.
2. Click **Pause** to temporarily stop the action from running.
3. The action remains in your list and can be resumed at any time.

#### Edit a Recurring Action

1. Open the recurring action from the list.
2. Update the title, frequency, dates, scheduled time, action settings, or client filters as needed.
3. Click **Save** to apply your changes. Updates take effect on the next scheduled run.

#### Delete a Recurring Action

1. Open the recurring action from the list.
2. Click **Delete** to permanently remove the recurring action.
3. Confirm the deletion. Deleting a recurring action does not affect records created by previous runs.

### Best Practices

- **Test before scheduling.** Run the bulk action once as a one-time action to confirm filters, settings, and results before creating a recurring version.
- **Set an end date for time-bound campaigns.** If the recurring action supports a specific program or seasonal outreach, always set an end date to prevent unnecessary runs after the program ends.
- **Review run history weekly.** Check the run history at least once a week to catch failed executions early and ensure your workflows stay on track.
- **Use descriptive titles.** Name your recurring actions clearly (for example, "Weekly Hearing Reminder - Division A") so other staff members can identify them at a glance.
- **Stagger scheduled times.** If you have multiple recurring actions, set different scheduled times to distribute the processing workload and avoid delays.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I change the settings of a recurring action without stopping it?**
A: Yes. Open the recurring action, update the settings or filters, and click **Save**. The updated configuration takes effect on the next scheduled run.

**Q: What happens if new clients are added to the system between runs?**
A: The client filters are re-evaluated each time the recurring action runs. Any new clients who match your filters are automatically included in the next execution.

**Q: Can I set a recurring action to run on a specific day of the week?**
A: The frequency options (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) determine the interval. If you need the action to run on a specific day, set the **Start Date** to fall on that day of the week, and the weekly or bi-weekly schedule follows from there.

**Q: Is there a limit to how many recurring actions I can have active at once?**
A: There is no hard limit on the number of active recurring actions. However, scheduling too many actions at the same time can delay processing. Stagger your scheduled times to distribute the workload.

**Q: Will I be notified if a recurring action fails?**
A: Yes. You receive an email notification after each run, whether it succeeds or fails. Failed runs also appear with an error status in the **Run History** section.

**Q: Where do I find the Recurring Actions page?**
A: Click **Recurring Actions** in the top navigation bar. You can also access it by navigating to **Bulk Actions** and clicking the **Recurring Actions** tab.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** A recurring action did not run at the expected time.
**Symptoms:** The **Run History** section shows no entry for the expected date, and no email notification was received.
**Solution:**

1. Open the recurring action and verify it is not paused.
2. Confirm that the current date falls between the **Start Date** and **End Date**.
3. Check that the **Scheduled Time** is set correctly and has already passed for the day.
4. Verify the **Frequency** is set to the interval you expect.
5. If the issue persists, create a support ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

**Issue:** The recurring action is processing clients who should not be included.
**Symptoms:** Clients outside your intended audience are included in the run results.
**Solution:**

1. Open the recurring action and review the client filters.
2. Verify that all filter criteria (status, group, assigned user, date range) are set correctly.
3. Update the filters as needed and click **Save**.
4. Check the results after the next scheduled run to confirm the correct clients are included.

**Issue:** A recurring action keeps running after it should have stopped.
**Symptoms:** The action continues to execute past the intended period.
**Solution:**

1. Open the recurring action and check the **End Date** field.
2. If the end date is blank, set it to the date you want the action to stop.
3. Alternatively, click **Pause** or **Delete** to stop the action immediately.

> **Important:** If you continue to experience issues after following these troubleshooting steps, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Send a Mass Message Using Bulk Actions](/how-to-send-a-mass-message-using-bulk-actions)
- [How to Create Events via Bulk Actions](/how-to-create-events-via-bulk-actions)
- [How to Assign Users via Bulk Actions](/how-to-assign-users-via-bulk-actions)
- [How to Create and Import Bulk Action Templates](/how-to-create-and-import-bulk-action-templates)
- [How to Update Clients via Bulk Actions](/how-to-update-clients-via-bulk-actions)