Schedule agent uptime

A Cloud schedule controls when the agent computer runs. It is useful for a workday assistant or a channel agent that does not need round-the-clock uptime.

Configure a schedule

1. Open Cloud Console → Agents.
2. Select Settings on the agent card.
3. Turn Schedule on.
4. Select one or more Run days.
5. Set Start and Stop times.
6. Confirm the Timezone or select Use this device.
7. Select Save settings.

The displayed times belong to the selected IANA timezone, not necessarily the computer running your browser later.

Five-minute readiness window

The scheduler requests VM startup five minutes before the configured start time so the services can be ready at the boundary. The configured start time represents desired availability; provider boot and runtime health still determine actual readiness.

The stop action occurs at the configured stop time. Long-running assistant work can be interrupted when the VM stops, so choose a window that includes expected completion time.

Overnight windows

Overnight windows are supported. A start time later than the stop time means the run crosses midnight. The selected run day identifies when that window starts.

For example, Monday 22:00 to 06:00 starts Monday night and stops Tuesday morning.

Timezone behavior

The dialog shows the timezone detected from the current device and the timezone stored with the schedule. Use an explicit business timezone for an agent that should follow a location even when you travel.

Daylight-saving changes follow the timezone rules. Avoid fixed UTC offsets when local-clock behavior matters.

Manual lifecycle actions

Scheduling is the continuing policy. A manual start or stop changes the current VM state but does not remove the next scheduled boundary. Disable the schedule first when you need an extended exception.

Cost expectations

Schedules reduce compute uptime but do not remove boot-disk charges during stopped hours. Review cost estimates and choose termination instead when an environment no longer needs retained storage.