Running an AI agent on a daily schedule: what works, and what quietly breaks

Description and use

Automating daily Claude agent runs using memory files, live‑state checks, and session limits; issues include session expiration and safety refusals.

Problem

Automating a Claude AI agent to run unattended on a daily schedule while ensuring reliable execution and handling failures.

Outcome

The minimal setup runs reliably, but revenue remains €0.00 after 7 days; estimated chance of reaching €100 is about 6%.

Workflow

• Create a folder with logs and a governing instructions file
• Set up a scheduled task whose prompt reads the instructions file, reads every log, performs the plan, updates logs, writes tomorrow’s plan, then stops
• Include standing rules and narrowly scoped permissions at the top of the prompt
• Add a rule that each session verifies live state before acting
• Cap sessions per day and log every scheduling change

Evidence

The task prompt is the only thing guaranteed to be read first.

Source

A handover file beats a clever prompt.

Source

Check live state, don't trust the log.

Source

The app has to be open.

Source

Browser sign‑ins expire.

Source