/loop (Scheduled Tasks)
Run a prompt on a recurring interval locally (up to 7 days). Claude self-paces its interval via the Monitor tool. For cloud tasks that run even when machine is off: /schedule (Routines). Typical combos: /loop 5m to watch a build, /loop 1h for a daily monitoring report.
Strengths
- Zero infra, local loop with no cron, no server, no configuration
- Self-pacing: Claude auto-adjusts interval based on awaited state (build, API, file)
- Up to 7 days, suited for long-running agents like PR monitoring
Limitations
- Local only, loop dies if machine is off (use /schedule for cloud)
- Consumes tokens each iteration, expensive on frequent long-running loops
Best for
- Monitor a CI build, deployment, or API until resolution, without staying at the screen
- Watch agents running during work hours: daily report, PR alerts