at as a Linux alternative to Task Scheduler
Updated
Our verdict
at can replace Windows Task Scheduler for the simplest use‑cases: running a command or script once at a specific date or after a relative delay. It works well for users who need occasional one‑off jobs and do not require recurring schedules, event‑driven triggers, or detailed logging. Power users who rely on periodic tasks, system‑event hooks, or rich execution reports will quickly outgrow at and should look at cron or systemd timers instead.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.2.5
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both run commands or scripts at a defined time
- Both can be used without a graphical interface
- Both can redirect output to files or mail
- Both are included in most Linux distributions
What is different
- at only supports one‑time jobs; no built‑in recurrence
- no native support for event‑driven triggers (e.g., on boot, on network change)
- limited logging; does not provide a task history UI
- cannot import or export Windows .xml/.job files
- no GUI; all configuration is command‑line only
Opening your Task Scheduler files
There is no documented way to import Windows Task Scheduler files (.xml or .job) into at. The formats are unrelated, so migration must be done manually by recreating the tasks on the Linux side.
Switching from Task Scheduler to at, step by step
- Identify the one‑time tasks you need to keep.
- Translate the command line and timing into at syntax, e.g.,
echo "mycmd" | at 14:30 2026-11-01. - Create a shell script if the task requires multiple commands and schedule that script with at.
- Test the scheduled job with
at -land check output in the mail file or redirected log. - Remove the original Windows task after confirming the Linux job runs correctly.
Key features of at
- Schedule one-time commands to run at a specific time
- Supports relative time specifications like 'now + 1 hour'
- Can execute shell scripts or direct commands
- Jobs are stored in a queue managed by the atd daemon
- Output can be mailed to the user or redirected to a file
- Works with absolute dates and times
- Lightweight with minimal system resource usage
- Pre-installed on most standard Linux distributions
How to install at on Linux
sudo apt install atsudo apt install atsudo dnf install atsudo pacman -S atsudo zypper install atFrequently asked questions
Can at run tasks when no user is logged in?
Yes, atd runs as a system service, so jobs execute regardless of user login.
How do I see scheduled at jobs?
Use atq (or at -l) to list pending jobs; atrm <jobid> removes them.
Is at suitable for recurring backups?
No, for recurring jobs use cron or systemd timers; at only handles one‑off executions.