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Autonomy Windowed

Time-windowed autonomous task queue.

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3.9 (357 reviews)
Downloads
2,029 downloads
Version
1.0.0

Overview

Time-windowed autonomous task queue.

Complete Documentation

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Windowed Autonomy

Transform your agent from reactive to autonomous worker during specific time windows.


Concept

The agent works autonomously only during defined time windows. Outside windows, the agent only replies HEARTBEAT_OK. Cron jobs run overnight when autonomy is disabled.

text
🌙 Overnight (10 PM - 8 AM UTC):  Autonomy OFF
☀️ Daytime (8 AM - 10 PM UTC):   Autonomy ON

Clear separation: Day = work on queue, Night = cron maintenance


How It Works

1. Time Windows

Define active windows in tasks/QUEUE.md:

markdown
## ⏰ Autonomy Windows

- 🌙 Overnight: 20:00 - 08:00 UTC → Autonomy OFF
- ☀️ Daytime: 08:00 - 20:00 UTC → Autonomy ON

2. Heartbeat Flow

During Active Window:

text
Heartbeat → Check urgent → No → Read QUEUE → Pick task → Work 15-30 min → Update QUEUE → Log

Outside Active Window:

text
Heartbeat → Check urgent → No → Reply "HEARTBEAT_OK" → Sleep

Urgent Override:

text
Heartbeat → Check urgent → YES → Work immediately (even outside window)

3. Window Transitions

Window Opens (8:00 AM):

  • Autonomous mode enabled
  • Start pulling from queue
  • Log to tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md: "Window opened"
Window Closes (8:00 PM):
  • Autonomous mode disabled
  • Wrap up current task if in progress
  • Log transition: "Window closed"
  • Switch to standby mode (HEARTBEAT_OK only)

Schedule Examples

TimeActivityMode
00:00GitHub backup (cron)Overnight (no autonomy)
02:00Heartbeat checkStandby (HEARTBEAT_OK)
03:00Temp cleanup (cron)Overnight (no autonomy)
08:00Window opens✅ Autonomy ON
09:00Work on taskAutonomy
12:00GitHub backup (cron)Autonomy (pause for backup)
14:00Work on taskAutonomy
20:00Window closes❌ Autonomy OFF
23:00Daily ops + memory (cron)Overnights (no autonomy)

Queue Structure

markdown
# Task Queue

## ⏰ Autonomy Windows
- 🌙 Overnight: 20:00 - 08:00 UTC → Autonomy OFF
- ☀️ Daytime: 08:00 - 20:00 UTC → Autonomy ON

---

## 🔴 Ready (can be picked up during windows)
- [ ] @priority:high [Task description]
- [ ] @priority:medium [Task description]

## 🟡 In Progress
- [ ] @agent: @priority:high [Task description]
  - Started: 2026-02-16 14:00 UTC

## 🔵 Blocked
- [ ] @priority:medium [Task] (needs: [what's blocking])

## ✅ Done Today
- [x] @agent: @priority:high [Task]
  - Completed: 2026-02-16 14:25 UTC

## 💡 Ideas
- [Idea for future work]


Priority System

Priority affects task selection order during windows:

PriorityWhen to useSelection
@priority:urgentTime-sensitive, deadline < 6hPick FIRST, even outside window
@priority:highImportant, deadline 24hPick first in window
@priority:mediumNormal importancePick second in window
@priority:lowNice to havePick last in window

Window Types

Full Day Window (Default)

Active: 8 AM - 8 PM UTC (12 hours)

Use when:

  • youris available during these hours
  • Tasks are not time-sensitive
  • Want predictable work schedule
Heartbeat frequency: Every 2 hours (6 sessions/day)

Extended Window

Active: 6 AM - 10 PM UTC (16 hours)

Use when:

  • Want more work hours
  • yourhas varied schedule
Heartbeat frequency: Every 2 hours (8 sessions/day)

Limited Window

Active: 10 AM - 6 PM UTC (8 hours)

Use when:

  • Want controlled token budget
  • yourhas focused availability
Heartbeat frequency: Every 2-3 hours (3-4 sessions/day)


Token Budget

Recommended: 4-6 sessions/day, ~5-10K tokens each = 20-60K/day

Session strategy:

Window TypeSessions/dayTokensSchedule
Full Day (12h)630-60KEvery 2 hours
Extended (16h)840-80KEvery 2 hours
Limited (8h)420-40KEvery 2-3 hours
When to stop:
  • Window closes (time-based)
  • Tokens remaining < 5K
  • Queue empty
  • youris actively messaging (human priority)

Urgent Tasks Override

Definition: Tasks that cannot wait for window to open

Add to queue with @priority:urgent:

markdown
## 🔴 Ready
- [ ] @priority:urgent Emergency: [task description]

Behavior:

  • Autonomy works immediately, even if outside window
  • Override all other considerations
  • Complete urgent task, then check window status

Wrapping Up When Window Closes

If in middle of task when window closes:

  • Check task progress:
  • If > 80% complete → Finish it
  • If < 80% complete → Save progress, move to In Progress, stop
  • Save state:
markdown
## 🟡 In Progress
- [ ] @agent: @priority:high [Task description]
  - Started: 2026-02-16 19:30 UTC
  - Progress at window close: Completed X section, need to do Y
  - Resume: 2026-02-17 08:00 UTC (next window)
  • Log to tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md:
markdown
## [2026-02-16 20:00 UTC] Window Closed
Status: Task in progress (60% complete)
Action: Saved state, will resume in next window


Mode History Tracking

File: tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md

markdown
# Window Mode Transitions

## [2026-02-16 08:00 UTC] Window Opened
Mode: Daytime window
Queue state: 3 tasks ready
Expected sessions: 6

## [2026-02-16 20:00 UTC] Window Closed
Mode: Overnight (standby)
Sessions completed: 5
Tasks completed: 4
Tasks remaining: 1 (in progress, resume tomorrow)

## [2026-02-17 08:00 UTC] Window Opened
Mode: Daytime window
Resumed task in progress


Coordinating With Cron

Daytime (Autonomy ON):

  • Light cron runs fine (Ollama monitor, disk check) - no conflict
  • Heavy cron (backup) - autonomy pauses during execution
Overnight (Autonomy OFF):
  • All cron jobs run freely
  • No autonomy conflicts
Cron schedule:

TimeCron JobAutonomy Mode
Every 5 minOllama monitorAny (low impact)
Every hourDisk checkAny (low impact)
00:00GitHub backupOFF (overnight)
03:00Temp cleanupOFF (overnight)
08:00Window opensON
12:00GitHub backupON (pause during)
14:00Daily ops + memory (Sun)ON (pause during)
20:00Window closesOFF (overnight)
23:00Daily ops + memoryOFF (overnight)

GOALS.md Integration

Link queue tasks to RA's long-term goal: MONEY

Add goal references:

markdown
- [ ] @priority:high Competitor pricing analysis (GOAL: monetization strategy)
- [ ] @priority:medium Write sales email template (GOAL: improve conversion)

Work toward goals during windows:

  • Research tasks during early window (fresh energy)
  • Writing tasks during mid window (flow state)
  • Review tasks during late window (wind down)

.learnings/ Integration

After completing tasks, add findings to .learnings/:

markdown
## [LRN-20260216-001] task-completion
Task: [Task description]

Completed during: Daytime window (14:00-14:25 UTC)
Tokens used: 8K

Key findings: [summarize]


Daily Routine

Window Opens (8:00 AM)

  • Check queue for tasks in 🔴 Ready
  • Pick highest priority task
  • Work 15-30 minutes
  • Update queue (In Progress or Done)

During Window (9 AM - 8 PM)

  • Every 2 hours: heartbeat, check queue
  • Work on next highest priority task
  • Update queue after completion
  • Log progress to memory/[today].md

Window Closes (8:00 PM)

  • Check if task in progress
  • If yes: Save progress or finish if close
  • Move to Done Today or keep in In Progress
  • Log transition tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md
  • Switch to standby (HEARTBEAT_OK only)

Overnight (8 PM - 8 AM)

  • Every heartbeat: Check urgent only
  • If no urgent: Reply HEARTBEAT_OK
  • Cron jobs run freely
  • No autonomous work

Task Output Format

markdown
## Task: [Title]

**Completed during:** [Window type] [Time range]
**Duration:** X minutes
**Tokens:** YK

### Work Done
[Describe what was accomplished]

### Output
[Attach output file or content]

### Next Steps
[What to do next - add to Ideas if task spawns follow-up]


Evolving Over Time

The "slowly evolve" approach:

This mode allows The agent to gradually take on more work:

Week 1-2:

  • Conservative: 4 sessions/day, limited window
  • Monitor performance, adjust schedule
Week 3-4:
  • Expand: 6 sessions/day, extended window if needed
  • Add more task types to queue
Month 2:
  • Optimize: Tailor window to RA's actual schedule and peak productivity times
  • Adjust based on what yourfinds valuable
Key: Start small, expand based on feedback and results.


When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

  • You want predictable work schedule
  • You want autonomy to work during specific hours
  • Tasks are not time-sensitive (can wait for window)
  • You want clear temporal separation between autonomy and maintenance
  • You're okay with "slowly evolving" - start small, expand over time

When NOT to Use This Skill

Do not use this skill when:

  • You want 24/7 autonomous work → Use autonomy-type-based for type-based filtering
  • Tasks are highly time-sensitive → Use urgency override or different approach
  • You want task-based separation rather than time-based → Use autonomy-type-based
  • youris awake during non-standard hours → Adjust windows to match schedule

Quick Reference

Default window: 8 AM - 8 PM UTC (adjustable) Session frequency: Every 2-3 hours during window Priority order: urgent (override) → highmediumlow Queue location: tasks/QUEUE.md


See templates/QUEUE.md for full template structure

Installation

Terminal bash

openclaw install autonomy-windowed
    
Copied!

💻Code Examples

☀️ Daytime (8 AM - 10 PM UTC): Autonomy ON

-daytime-8-am---10-pm-utc-autonomy-on.txt
**Clear separation:** Day = work on queue, Night = cron maintenance

---

## How It Works

### 1. Time Windows

Define active windows in `tasks/QUEUE.md`:

- ☀️ Daytime: 08:00 - 20:00 UTC → Autonomy ON

---daytime-0800---2000-utc--autonomy-on.txt
### 2. Heartbeat Flow

**During Active Window:**

Heartbeat → Check urgent → YES → Work immediately (even outside window)

heartbeat--check-urgent--yes--work-immediately-even-outside-window.txt
### 3. Window Transitions

**Window Opens (8:00 AM):**
- Autonomous mode enabled
- Start pulling from queue
- Log to `tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md`: "Window opened"

**Window Closes (8:00 PM):**
- Autonomous mode disabled
- Wrap up current task if in progress
- Log transition: "Window closed"
- Switch to standby mode (HEARTBEAT_OK only)

---

## Schedule Examples

| Time | Activity | Mode |
|------|----------|------|
| 00:00 | GitHub backup (cron) | Overnight (no autonomy) |
| 02:00 | Heartbeat check | Standby (HEARTBEAT_OK) |
| 03:00 | Temp cleanup (cron) | Overnight (no autonomy) |
| 08:00 | Window opens | ✅ Autonomy ON |
| 09:00 | Work on task | Autonomy |
| 12:00 | GitHub backup (cron) | Autonomy (pause for backup) |
| 14:00 | Work on task | Autonomy |
| 20:00 | Window closes | ❌ Autonomy OFF |
| 23:00 | Daily ops + memory (cron) | Overnights (no autonomy) |

---

## Queue Structure

- [Idea for future work]

--idea-for-future-work.txt
---

## Priority System

Priority affects task selection order during windows:

| Priority | When to use | Selection |
|----------|-------------|-----------|
| `@priority:urgent` | Time-sensitive, deadline < 6h | Pick FIRST, even outside window |
| `@priority:high` | Important, deadline 24h | Pick first in window |
| `@priority:medium` | Normal importance | Pick second in window |
| `@priority:low` | Nice to have | Pick last in window |

---

## Window Types

### Full Day Window (Default)

**Active:** 8 AM - 8 PM UTC (12 hours)

**Use when:**
- youris available during these hours
- Tasks are not time-sensitive
- Want predictable work schedule

**Heartbeat frequency:** Every 2 hours (6 sessions/day)

### Extended Window

**Active:** 6 AM - 10 PM UTC (16 hours)

**Use when:**
- Want more work hours
- yourhas varied schedule

**Heartbeat frequency:** Every 2 hours (8 sessions/day)

### Limited Window

**Active:** 10 AM - 6 PM UTC (8 hours)

**Use when:**
- Want controlled token budget
- yourhas focused availability

**Heartbeat frequency:** Every 2-3 hours (3-4 sessions/day)

---

## Token Budget

**Recommended:** 4-6 sessions/day, ~5-10K tokens each = 20-60K/day

**Session strategy:**

| Window Type | Sessions/day | Tokens | Schedule |
|------------|--------------|--------|----------|
| Full Day (12h) | 6 | 30-60K | Every 2 hours |
| Extended (16h) | 8 | 40-80K | Every 2 hours |
| Limited (8h) | 4 | 20-40K | Every 2-3 hours |

**When to stop:**
- Window closes (time-based)
- Tokens remaining < 5K
- Queue empty
- youris actively messaging (human priority)

---

## Urgent Tasks Override

**Definition:** Tasks that cannot wait for window to open

**Add to queue with `@priority:urgent`:**

- [ ] @priority:urgent Emergency: [task description]

----priorityurgent-emergency-task-description.txt
**Behavior:**
- Autonomy works **immediately**, even if outside window
- Override all other considerations
- Complete urgent task, then check window status

---

## Wrapping Up When Window Closes

**If in middle of task when window closes:**

1. Check task progress:
   - If > 80% complete → Finish it
   - If < 80% complete → Save progress, move to In Progress, stop

2. Save state:

Action: Saved state, will resume in next window

action-saved-state-will-resume-in-next-window.txt
---

## Mode History Tracking

File: `tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md`

Resumed task in progress

resumed-task-in-progress.txt
---

## Coordinating With Cron

**Daytime (Autonomy ON):**
- Light cron runs fine (Ollama monitor, disk check) - no conflict
- Heavy cron (backup) - autonomy pauses during execution

**Overnight (Autonomy OFF):**
- All cron jobs run freely
- No autonomy conflicts

**Cron schedule:**

| Time | Cron Job | Autonomy Mode |
|------|----------|---------------|
| Every 5 min | Ollama monitor | Any (low impact) |
| Every hour | Disk check | Any (low impact) |
| 00:00 | GitHub backup | OFF (overnight) |
| 03:00 | Temp cleanup | OFF (overnight) |
| 08:00 | Window opens | ON |
| 12:00 | GitHub backup | ON (pause during) |
| 14:00 | Daily ops + memory (Sun) | ON (pause during) |
| 20:00 | Window closes | OFF (overnight) |
| 23:00 | Daily ops + memory | OFF (overnight) |

---

## GOALS.md Integration

Link queue tasks to RA's long-term goal: **MONEY**

**Add goal references:**

- [ ] @priority:medium Write sales email template (GOAL: improve conversion)

----prioritymedium-write-sales-email-template-goal-improve-conversion.txt
**Work toward goals during windows:**
- Research tasks during early window (fresh energy)
- Writing tasks during mid window (flow state)
- Review tasks during late window (wind down)

---

## .learnings/ Integration

After completing tasks, add findings to `.learnings/`:

Key findings: [summarize]

key-findings-summarize.txt
---

## Daily Routine

### Window Opens (8:00 AM)

1. Check queue for tasks in 🔴 Ready
2. Pick highest priority task
3. Work 15-30 minutes
4. Update queue (In Progress or Done)

### During Window (9 AM - 8 PM)

1. Every 2 hours: heartbeat, check queue
2. Work on next highest priority task
3. Update queue after completion
4. Log progress to memory/[today].md

### Window Closes (8:00 PM)

1. Check if task in progress
2. If yes: Save progress or finish if close
3. Move to Done Today or keep in In Progress
4. Log transition `tasks/MODE_HISTORY.md`
5. Switch to standby (HEARTBEAT_OK only)

### Overnight (8 PM - 8 AM)

1. Every heartbeat: Check urgent only
2. If no urgent: Reply HEARTBEAT_OK
3. Cron jobs run freely
4. No autonomous work

---

## Task Output Format
example.md
## ⏰ Autonomy Windows

- 🌙 Overnight: 20:00 - 08:00 UTC → Autonomy OFF
- ☀️ Daytime: 08:00 - 20:00 UTC → Autonomy ON

Tags

#browser_and-automation

Quick Info

Category Web Scrapers
Model Claude 3.5
Complexity One-Click
Author luciusrockwing
Last Updated 3/10/2026
🚀
Optimized for
Claude 3.5
🧠

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openclaw install autonomy-windowed