---
slug: "crontab-generator-natural-language-to-cron"
source_type: "readme"
source_url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/Br0ski777/crontab-generator-x402@master/README.md"
repo: "https://github.com/Br0ski777/crontab-generator-x402"
source_file: "README.md"
branch: "master"
---
# Crontab Generator API

[![MCP Server](https://img.shields.io/badge/MCP-server-blue)](https://crontab-generator.api.klymax402.com/mcp)
[![x402](https://img.shields.io/badge/payments-x402-6E56CF)](https://x402.org)
[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-green)](LICENSE)

Convert natural language like 'every Monday at 9am' into valid cron expressions with explanation and next run times. Pay-per-call via [x402](https://x402.org) (USDC on Base L2) -- no API key, no signup, no rate-limit wall.

Part of the [klymax402](https://klymax402.com) marketplace -- 100 x402 micropayment APIs for AI agents, one wallet, USDC on Base.

## Quickstart -- MCP

Add to your MCP client config (Claude Desktop, Cursor, ElizaOS, etc.):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "crontab-generator": {
      "url": "https://crontab-generator.api.klymax402.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

## Quickstart -- HTTP (x402)

```bash
curl -X POST "https://crontab-generator.api.klymax402.com/api/generate" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"description":"..."}'
# -> 402 Payment Required, with an x402 payment challenge in the response body
```

Any x402-aware client ([`@x402/fetch`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@x402/fetch), [`x402-agent-tools`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/x402-agent-tools), ATXP) handles the 402 -> sign -> retry cycle automatically.

## Tools

| Tool | Method | Path | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `utility_generate_crontab` | POST | `/api/generate` | $0.003 | Generate a cron expression from natural language |

### `utility_generate_crontab`

Use this when you need to generate a cron expression from a natural language description like "every Monday at 9am" or "every 5 minutes". Returns the cron expression with validation.

**Parameters**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `description` | string | yes | Natural language description of the schedule (e.g. 'every Monday at 9am', 'twice a day', 'every 5 minutes') |

Example response:

```json
{"expression":"0 9 * * 1","description":"Every Monday at 9:00 AM","nextRuns":["2026-04-14T09:00:00Z","2026-04-21T09:00:00Z"],"confidence":"high"}
```

**When to use**: creating new scheduled tasks from user instructions, building crontab configs from plain English, or translating business requirements into cron syntax. Use this BEFORE writing cron entries manually.

**Not for**: parsing existing cron expressions (use `schedule_parse_cron`), JSON validation (use `data_validate_json`), text analysis (use `text_count_words`).

## Example agent prompts

- "Generate a cron expression from a natural language description like "every Monday at 9am" or "every 5 minutes""

## Payment

- Protocol: [x402](https://x402.org) -- HTTP-native pay-per-call, no signup, no API key
- Network: Base L2 (`eip155:8453`)
- Asset: USDC
- Facilitator: Coinbase CDP (primary), PayAI (fallback)
- Also reachable via [ATXP](https://atxp.ai) (OAuth-wrapped x402, RFC 9728 protected-resource metadata)

## Part of klymax402

100 x402 micropayment APIs for AI agents -- one wallet, USDC on Base, zero signup.

- Catalog: https://klymax402.com/llms.txt
- Full API reference: https://klymax402.com/llms-full.txt
- Live stats: https://klymax402.com/stats

## License

MIT