How to run a script every 10 minutes on VyOS

To run a script every 10 minutes on VyOS, you should use the VyOS task scheduler. Here’s how to configure it:

Using VyOS Task Scheduler

1. Enter configuration mode:

configure

2. Set up the task scheduler:

set system task-scheduler task dns-update executable path /home/vyos/dns-vyos.sh
set system task-scheduler task dns-update interval 10m

3. Commit and save the configuration:

commit
save
exit

Verify the Configuration

Check that your task is configured correctly:

show system task-scheduler

Important Notes

• Make sure your script has execute permissions:

chmod +x /home/vyos/dns-vyos.sh

• The script should include a proper shebang line (e.g., #!/bin/bash or #!/bin/vbash)
• If your script needs to run VyOS operational commands, use /bin/vbash as the interpreter

Alternative: Traditional Cron (Not Recommended)

While you could use standard cron (crontab -e), it’s not recommended on VyOS because:

• Changes won’t persist through configuration backups
• They may be lost during system updates
• The task scheduler is the VyOS-native way to handle scheduled tasks

The task scheduler approach ensures your scheduled tasks are part of your VyOS configuration and will persist properly.