This pattern ensures that a WP Cron job only runs during a specific time window (e.g., between midnight and 3 AM).

gistfile1.txt

How It Works:
	•	The cron job only runs if the current time is within the defined time window (midnight to 3 AM in this example).
	•	If it is outside the time window, the job is skipped.

time-window-cron.php

<?php
/**
 * Time Window Cron Execution Pattern
 *
 * Restricts a WP Cron job to run only within a specific time window.
 */

// Define the allowed time window (e.g., 12 AM to 3 AM)
define( 'CRON_TIME_WINDOW_START', '00:00:00' );
define( 'CRON_TIME_WINDOW_END', '03:00:00' );

// Cron job callback
function my_cron_time_window_callback() {
    // Your task here, e.g., send an email, process data, etc.
    error_log( 'Cron job executed at ' . current_time( 'mysql' ) );
}

// Check if current time is within the allowed time window
function my_cron_time_window_check() {
    $current_time = current_time( 'H:i:s' );

    if ( $current_time >= CRON_TIME_WINDOW_START && $current_time <= CRON_TIME_WINDOW_END ) {
        // Run the cron job
        my_cron_time_window_callback();
    } else {
        // Log that the cron job was skipped
        error_log( 'Cron job skipped due to time window restriction.' );
    }
}

// Schedule the cron job
if ( ! wp_next_scheduled( 'my_cron_time_window_hook' ) ) {
    wp_schedule_event( time(), 'hourly', 'my_cron_time_window_hook' );
}

// Hook the time window check to WP Cron
add_action( 'my_cron_time_window_hook', 'my_cron_time_window_check' );