/schedule

Schedules a function to run after a specified delay. Can also clear previously scheduled functions.

Overview

Schedules a function to run after a specified delay. Can also clear previously scheduled functions. In vanilla Minecraft Java Edition it is one of the logic commands and has been available since version 1.14.

It is invoked as /schedule [append|replace] and accepts 3 required arguments (, , and ) and one optional argument ([mode]).

Scheduled functions run at the server level with no specific entity context. Use 'append' mode to queue multiple instances of the same function. Time units: t (ticks), s (seconds), d (Minecraft days).

Delays use time units t (ticks), s (seconds) or d (Minecraft days). The default mode 'replace' overwrites any pending schedule for that function; use 'append' to queue another run alongside it.

Syntax & Arguments

/schedule <function|clear> <function> <time> [append|replace]

The full syntax is /schedule [append|replace]. Angle brackets < > mark required arguments and square brackets [ ] mark optional ones; a vertical bar | between words means you pick exactly one of those literals. You must always supply , , and . The argument [mode] may be omitted, in which case the documented default applies.

action: Required, of type a literal. function = schedule a function; clear = cancel a scheduled function.
function: Required, of type a resource. The function ID to schedule (e.g., mypack:my_function).
time: Required, of type a time. Delay before execution. Supports ticks (t), seconds (s), or days (d). Example: 5s, 100t, 1d.
mode: Optional, of type a literal. append = add another schedule; replace = replace existing schedule (default).

Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
action	literal	Required	function = schedule a function; clear = cancel a scheduled function.
function	resource	Required	The function ID to schedule (e.g., mypack:my_function).
time	time	Required	Delay before execution. Supports ticks (t), seconds (s), or days (d). Example: 5s, 100t, 1d.
mode	literal	Optional	append = add another schedule; replace = replace existing schedule (default).

Examples

The 3 examples below are ready to copy and adapt. For instance, /schedule function my_pack:cleanup 5m schedules the cleanup function to run in 5 minutes. Each example varies the arguments to show a different real use of /schedule; read the note under every snippet to see exactly what changes.

/schedule function my_pack:cleanup 5m

Schedules the cleanup function to run in 5 minutes.

/schedule function my_pack:warning 10s append

Schedules a warning function in 10 seconds without canceling existing schedules.

/schedule clear my_pack:cleanup

Cancels all scheduled runs of the cleanup function.

Permission Level & Requirements

/schedule sits at permission Level 2 - Game Master / Cheats, which means it needs permission level 2, the level cheats grant to single-player worlds and that operators hold by default.

In a single-player world you must have "Allow Cheats" turned on (or open the world to LAN with cheats) before it will run; on a multiplayer server the player needs to be an operator at the matching level.

This reference describes the Java Edition 1.21 form of the command; Bedrock Edition may use slightly different argument formats.

Common Mistakes

Using 'replace' mode (default) and accidentally canceling a previous schedule for the same function.
Scheduling functions in unloaded dimensions, the function runs in the Overworld by default.

Notes

Related Commands

If /schedule is part of your toolkit, the commands below are the ones you will most often reach for alongside it: /function and /execute. They cover closely related tasks, so the links above jump straight to each one.

/function

/execute

Frequently Asked Questions about /schedule

What does the /schedule command do in Minecraft?

Schedules a function to run after a specified delay. Can also clear previously scheduled functions. It belongs to the logic command group and was added in Java Edition 1.14.

What is the correct syntax for /schedule?

/schedule [append|replace]. The required arguments are action, function, and time, and the optional one is mode.

What permission level does /schedule need?

It requires permission Level 2 - Game Master / Cheats. On a server the player must be an operator at that level, or have cheats enabled in single-player.

What is a common mistake when using /schedule?

Using 'replace' mode (default) and accidentally canceling a previous schedule for the same function.

Can you give an example of /schedule in use?

Yes. /schedule function my_pack:warning 10s append — schedules a warning function in 10 seconds without canceling existing schedules.

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