What does this cron to systemd converter produce?

It generates OnCalendar schedules and starter .timer/.service unit templates from cron expressions, including comments that map back to each source line.

Does it support cron macros such as @daily?

Yes. Common macros are normalized into equivalent standard cron fields before conversion.

Can I convert multiple cron lines at once?

Yes. Paste multiple expressions and the converter outputs one timer/service template pair per line.

Why are some expressions flagged as unsupported?

Quartz-only tokens like L, W, #, and ? are not safely equivalent in systemd OnCalendar format, so the converter blocks them with clear diagnostics.

Is this tool private and free?

Yes. It runs locally in your browser, requires no signup, and is 100% free.

Cron to Systemd Timer Converter

Convert cron schedule expressions into equivalent systemd .timer configurations with generated OnCalendar values, unit templates, and migration diagnostics for unsupported syntax.

Convert cron schedules into systemd OnCalendar values and starter .timer/.service unit templates. This helps migrate scheduled tasks from crontab to systemd with fewer manual mapping mistakes.

Cron Input

Systemd Output

# Source line 2: */15 * * * * /usr/local/bin/job-a.sh
# Normalized cron: */15 * * * *
# OnCalendar: *-*-* *:*/15:00

# 2-cron-job.timer
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-2 timer

[Timer]
OnCalendar=*-*-* *:*/15:00
Persistent=true
AccuracySec=1s

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

# 2-cron-job.service
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-2 service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/env bash -lc 'echo "Replace cron-job-line-2 command"'

# Source line 3: 0 2 * * 1-5
# Normalized cron: 0 2 * * 1-5
# OnCalendar: Mon..Fri *-*-* 2:0:00

# 3-cron-job.timer
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-3 timer

[Timer]
OnCalendar=Mon..Fri *-*-* 2:0:00
Persistent=true
AccuracySec=1s

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

# 3-cron-job.service
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-3 service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/env bash -lc 'echo "Replace cron-job-line-3 command"'

# Source line 4: @daily
# Normalized cron: 0 0 * * *
# OnCalendar: *-*-* 0:0:00

# 4-cron-job.timer
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-4 timer

[Timer]
OnCalendar=*-*-* 0:0:00
Persistent=true
AccuracySec=1s

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

# 4-cron-job.service
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-4 service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/env bash -lc 'echo "Replace cron-job-line-4 command"'

# Source line 5: 30 4 1 * *
# Normalized cron: 30 4 1 * *
# OnCalendar: *-*-1 4:30:00

# 5-cron-job.timer
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-5 timer

[Timer]
OnCalendar=*-*-1 4:30:00
Persistent=true
AccuracySec=1s

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

# 5-cron-job.service
[Unit]
Description=cron-job-line-5 service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/env bash -lc 'echo "Replace cron-job-line-5 command"'

Total Expressions

Converted

Warnings

Errors

Converted 4/4 expressions.

Conversion Diagnostics (1)

Line 2Ignored trailing command text after cron fields when generating systemd units.

Features

Practical cron migration helpers for Linux services and scheduled jobs

Cron to OnCalendar Conversion

Convert standard 5-field cron expressions into systemd OnCalendar schedules line by line.

Timer and Service Unit Output

Generate ready-to-edit .timer and .service templates with clear source mapping comments.

Macro Support

Translates @daily, @hourly, @weekly, and related cron macros into equivalent schedules.

Syntax Risk Diagnostics

Flags unsupported Quartz-only syntax and warns when command text is ignored in conversion.

Use Cases

Where cron-to-systemd conversion saves operational time and reduces schedule mistakes

Migrating from crontab to systemd

Move legacy cron jobs into service-managed systemd timers with clearer unit-based configuration.

Infrastructure Standardization

Normalize scheduling patterns across servers that rely on systemd instead of per-user crontabs.

DevOps Review and Auditing

Review OnCalendar schedules in plain format and keep timer definitions version-controlled.

Container and VM Boot Persistence

Use Persistent=true timer templates to handle missed runs after downtime or reboot windows.

About Cron to Systemd Timer Converter

Convert cron schedules into systemd timer units with practical migration diagnostics

Why convert cron to systemd timers

What this converter outputs

Related Tools

JSON to YAML

Convert JSON to YAML format instantly - Free online JSON to YAML converter

XML to YAML

Convert XML to YAML format for configuration migration - Free online XML to YAML converter

CSV to YAML

Convert CSV spreadsheet data to YAML format - Free online CSV to YAML converter

TSV to YAML

Convert TSV tab-separated data to YAML format - Free online TSV to YAML converter

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers for cron migration and systemd timer conversion

Yes. It supports minute, hour, day-of-month, month, and day-of-week cron expressions, including ranges, lists, and step values.

Yes. The converter reads the first 5 scheduling fields and warns that trailing command text is ignored in generated unit templates.

Yes. Common macros such as @hourly, @daily, @weekly, @monthly, and @yearly are normalized before conversion.

Quartz-specific tokens like L, W, #, and ? are flagged as unsupported to avoid unsafe or incorrect systemd mappings.

Yes. Conversion runs in your browser, requires no signup, and is 100% free to use.