30 2 * * * — what this cron expression means
The cron expression 30 2 * * * runs at 02:30 every day. Here is the field-by-field breakdown and what it means in plain English.
What 30 2 * * * means
It runs at 02:30 every day.
Field by field
minute=30, hour=2, day-of-month=*, month=*, day-of-week=*.
Minute 30 and hour 2 pin it to 02:30 every day — a common off-peak window for backups.
When it runs next
The next run is the next time the clock matches: at 02:30 every day.
FAQ
What does 30 2 * * * mean?
It runs once a day at 2:30 AM, every day.
Why run jobs at 2:30 AM?
Low traffic — backups, log rotation and maintenance are scheduled in the early-morning window to avoid peak load.