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Schedule a Macro

Goal: run a macro automatically at a time of day, on certain days, or relative to sunrise/sunset.

A macro schedule is GEM's time-based automation — daily routines, seasonal adjustments, a weekly backup.

Before you start​

  • You're logged in as an administrator.
  • The macro to run exists and is enabled (see Build a Macro) — or create one inline (step 3).

Steps​

  1. Open Macro Schedules and click Add.

    Open Macro Schedules

  2. Basic Information

    • Name — lowercase_with_underscores (e.g. morning_lights, sunset_shades).
    • Description — a human-readable purpose ("Close shades at sunset").
    • Enabled — activate the schedule.

  3. Macro — pick the macro to run. If you haven't built it yet, leave the picker empty and click the + button to create a new macro named after the schedule and open its step editor immediately.

  4. When to run — set the timing:

    • Cron pattern for clock-based schedules (a specific time, certain weekdays, intervals).
    • Variable reference to tie execution to sunrise, sunset, or another variable — ideal for lighting and shades that should follow the sun rather than a fixed clock.

  5. Date range (optional) — set a Start Time and/or End Time to limit the schedule to a season or a temporary period.

  6. Save.

Verify it​

  • Use View Calendar to see when the schedule will fire and confirm it lands where you expect.
  • For a quick functional check, run the macro manually (its Run action) to confirm the actions are correct, independent of timing.
Time zone and exceptions

Schedules respect the system time zone set in Configuration. To suppress runs on holidays or specific dates, use Schedule Exceptions (see the Admin Reference).

  • Create a Trigger — the event-based counterpart.
  • Macro Schedules and Schedule Exceptions in the Admin Reference.