From 7ccfe68f3f06ecb5b10ca711434af86e75a1a625 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Xi Zhang <106144707+X-iZhang@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:31:23 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] feat: add scheduler functionality with cron-style task
 management (#306)

* feat: add scheduler functionality with cron-style task management

- Implemented a new scheduler subagent to automate recurring tasks using cron expressions.
- Enhanced the subagent factory to include the skill manager and auxiliary chat model for the scheduler.
- Created a YAML configuration for the scheduler with a detailed system prompt and toolset.
- Updated README files to include documentation on scheduled tasks and usage examples.
- Added tests for the scheduler, including command execution, scheduling tools, and middleware integration.
- Introduced new dependencies for timezone handling and ensured compatibility in the project configuration.

* fix(async-notifier): ensure fallback hint is used for unknown notification kinds

* feat: enhance scheduling functionality and improve system message handling
---
 EvoScientist/EvoScientist.py                  |  17 +-
 EvoScientist/cli/async_notifier.py            |  12 +-
 .../commands/implementation/__init__.py       |  13 +-
 .../commands/implementation/schedule.py       | 234 +++++++++++++++++
 EvoScientist/config/settings.py               |  13 +-
 EvoScientist/cron/__init__.py                 |  23 ++
 EvoScientist/cron/schedule.py                 | 118 +++++++++
 EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/graphs.py          |   5 +-
 EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/langgraph.json     |   1 +
 EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/manager.py         |   2 +
 EvoScientist/middleware/__init__.py           |   6 +
 EvoScientist/middleware/memory.py             |  19 +-
 EvoScientist/middleware/scheduler.py          | 222 ++++++++++++++++
 EvoScientist/middleware/utils.py              |  18 ++
 EvoScientist/subagents/_factory.py            |  22 +-
 EvoScientist/subagents/scheduler.yaml         |  24 ++
 README.md                                     |  30 ++-
 README.zh-CN.md                               |  30 ++-
 pyproject.toml                                |   1 +
 tests/test_async_notifier.py                  |  17 ++
 tests/test_cli_serve.py                       |   1 +
 tests/test_config.py                          |  16 ++
 tests/test_cron_schedule.py                   | 136 ++++++++++
 tests/test_langgraph_manager.py               |  13 +-
 tests/test_profile_memory_middleware.py       |   2 +-
 tests/test_schedule_command.py                | 236 ++++++++++++++++++
 tests/test_scheduler.py                       |  98 ++++++++
 tests/test_scheduler_tools.py                 | 124 +++++++++
 uv.lock                                       |   2 +
 29 files changed, 1414 insertions(+), 41 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 EvoScientist/commands/implementation/schedule.py
 create mode 100644 EvoScientist/cron/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 EvoScientist/cron/schedule.py
 create mode 100644 EvoScientist/middleware/scheduler.py
 create mode 100644 EvoScientist/subagents/scheduler.yaml
 create mode 100644 tests/test_cron_schedule.py
 create mode 100644 tests/test_schedule_command.py
 create mode 100644 tests/test_scheduler.py
 create mode 100644 tests/test_scheduler_tools.py

diff --git a/EvoScientist/EvoScientist.py b/EvoScientist/EvoScientist.py
index 3c979f5..926192e 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/EvoScientist.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/EvoScientist.py
@@ -668,6 +668,7 @@ def _get_default_middleware(
         create_memory_lifecycle_middleware,
         create_memory_middleware,
         create_runtime_context_middleware,
+        create_scheduler_middleware,
         create_tool_selector_middleware,
         load_fallback_chain,
     )
@@ -734,8 +735,10 @@ def _get_default_middleware(
             timeout=cfg.code_interpreter_timeout,
             max_result_chars=cfg.code_interpreter_max_result_chars,
         ),
-        create_runtime_context_middleware(),
     ]
+    if cfg.enable_scheduler and not for_async_subagent:
+        mw.append(create_scheduler_middleware())
+    mw.append(create_runtime_context_middleware())
     if memory_controls.memory_enabled:
         mw.append(memory_middleware)
     if memory_controls.worker_needed(worker_target):
@@ -807,7 +810,11 @@ def _get_default_agent():
         if not cfg.auto_approve:
             mw.append(
                 HumanInTheLoopMiddleware(
-                    interrupt_on={"execute": True, "run_in_background": True}
+                    interrupt_on={
+                        "execute": True,
+                        "run_in_background": True,
+                        "schedule_task": True,
+                    }
                 )
             )
 
@@ -961,7 +968,11 @@ def create_cli_agent(
     if not cfg.auto_approve:
         mw.append(
             HumanInTheLoopMiddleware(
-                interrupt_on={"execute": True, "run_in_background": True}
+                interrupt_on={
+                    "execute": True,
+                    "run_in_background": True,
+                    "schedule_task": True,
+                }
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/EvoScientist/cli/async_notifier.py b/EvoScientist/cli/async_notifier.py
index 5389c99..cec1ef2 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/cli/async_notifier.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/cli/async_notifier.py
@@ -480,13 +480,17 @@ def format_notification_lines(
     """
     if not notifs:
         return []
-    tasks = [n for n in notifs if n.kind != "bg-process"]
+    tasks = [n for n in notifs if n.kind == "agent"]
     shell = [n for n in notifs if n.kind == "bg-process"]
+    unknown = [n for n in notifs if n.kind not in {"agent", "bg-process"}]
     lines: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
     if tasks:
         lines += _render_notification_group(tasks, " ✦ Agent Teams ✦ ", "Task")
     if shell:
         lines += _render_notification_group(shell, " ✦ Background ✦ ", "Cmd")
+    if unknown:
+        # Fallback so a future kind is never silently dropped from the display.
+        lines += _render_notification_group(unknown, " ✦ Updates ✦ ", "Task")
     return lines
 
 
@@ -515,12 +519,14 @@ def format_batch_message(notifs: list[AsyncTaskNotification]) -> str:
         )
     # bg-process is inspected with check_process; sub-agents with check_async_task.
     hints: list[str] = []
-    if any(n.kind != "bg-process" for n in notifs):
+    if any(n.kind == "agent" for n in notifs):
         hints.append("check_async_task (sub-agents)")
     if any(n.kind == "bg-process" for n in notifs):
         hints.append("check_process (background processes)")
+    # Fallback when a batch has only unrecognized kinds (hints empty).
+    hint_text = " or ".join(hints) if hints else "the appropriate status tool"
     lines.append(
-        f"(Signal only — fetch full result via {' or '.join(hints)} if relevant to "
+        f"(Signal only — fetch full result via {hint_text} if relevant to "
         "the current step, else acknowledge & continue.)"
     )
     return "\n".join(lines)
diff --git a/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/__init__.py b/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/__init__.py
index 1333598..0cdab5f 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/__init__.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from . import channel, general, mcp, model, model_fallback, session, skills
+from . import channel, general, mcp, model, model_fallback, schedule, session, skills
 
-__all__ = ["channel", "general", "mcp", "model", "model_fallback", "session", "skills"]
+__all__ = [
+    "channel",
+    "general",
+    "mcp",
+    "model",
+    "model_fallback",
+    "schedule",
+    "session",
+    "skills",
+]
diff --git a/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/schedule.py b/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/schedule.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..230ce2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/EvoScientist/commands/implementation/schedule.py
@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import re
+from typing import ClassVar
+
+from rich.table import Table
+
+from ..base import Command, CommandContext, SubCommand
+from ..manager import manager
+
+
+class ScheduleCommand(Command):
+    """Manage scheduled (cron) tasks."""
+
+    name = "/schedule"
+    description = "Manage scheduled (cron) tasks"
+    subcommands: ClassVar[list[SubCommand]] = [
+        SubCommand("add", 'Add: /schedule add <m h dom mon dow> "<prompt>"'),
+        SubCommand("list", "List scheduled tasks"),
+        SubCommand("remove", "Remove a schedule by id"),
+        SubCommand("run", "Run a schedule's prompt once now (test)"),
+        SubCommand("pause", "Disable a schedule by id"),
+        SubCommand("resume", "Enable a schedule by id"),
+    ]
+
+    async def execute(self, ctx: CommandContext, args: list[str]) -> None:
+        """Dispatch to the appropriate /schedule subcommand."""
+        cfg = getattr(ctx, "config", None)
+        if cfg is not None and not getattr(cfg, "enable_scheduler", True):
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                "Scheduled tasks are disabled (`enable_scheduler` is off).",
+                style="yellow",
+            )
+            return
+
+        from ...cron import schedule as crons
+
+        # Cron SDK calls are sync HTTP; offload to a thread so backend latency
+        # can never freeze the interactive event loop.
+        if not await asyncio.to_thread(crons.is_available):
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                "Scheduler unavailable: the langgraph dev backend is not running.",
+                style="yellow",
+            )
+            return
+
+        if not args or args[0].lower() == "list":
+            await self._list(ctx, crons)
+            return
+
+        sub = args[0].lower()
+        rest = args[1:]
+        if sub == "add":
+            await self._add(ctx, crons, rest)
+        elif sub == "remove":
+            await self._remove(ctx, crons, rest[0] if rest else "")
+        elif sub == "run":
+            await self._run(ctx, crons, rest[0] if rest else "")
+        elif sub in ("pause", "resume"):
+            await self._set_enabled(
+                ctx, crons, rest[0] if rest else "", sub == "resume"
+            )
+        else:
+            ctx.ui.append_system("Schedule commands:", style="bold")
+            for s in self.subcommands:
+                ctx.ui.append_system(
+                    f"  /schedule {s.name:<8} {s.description}", style="dim"
+                )
+
+    async def _add(self, ctx: CommandContext, crons, rest: list[str]) -> None:
+        # Cron may arrive as 5 separate tokens (unquoted) or 1 token (shlex-quoted).
+        # Split on any whitespace so extra spaces don't break detection; the
+        # backend rejects genuinely malformed expressions.
+        if rest and len(rest[0].split()) == 5:  # quoted 5-field cron
+            schedule, prompt_tokens = " ".join(rest[0].split()), rest[1:]
+        elif len(rest) >= 5:  # 5 separate cron fields
+            schedule, prompt_tokens = " ".join(rest[:5]), rest[5:]
+        else:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                'Usage: /schedule add "<m h dom mon dow>" "<prompt>"', style="yellow"
+            )
+            return
+        prompt = " ".join(prompt_tokens).strip().strip('"').strip("'")
+        if not prompt:
+            ctx.ui.append_system("A task prompt is required.", style="yellow")
+            return
+        # B3: strip unsafe chars; keep only alphanumerics + hyphens (kebab-case).
+        raw = prompt[:48].lower()
+        name = re.sub(r"[^a-z0-9]+", "-", raw).strip("-")[:32] or "task"
+        try:
+            rec = await asyncio.to_thread(
+                crons.create_schedule, name=name, schedule=schedule, prompt=prompt
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(f"Error: {exc}", style="red")
+            return
+        ctx.ui.append_system(
+            f"Scheduled '{name}' [{schedule}] — id {rec.get('cron_id')}. "
+            "Runs unattended in the background.",
+            style="green",
+        )
+
+    async def _list(self, ctx: CommandContext, crons) -> None:
+        # B1: guard SDK call — backend may die after the is_available() check.
+        try:
+            rows = await asyncio.to_thread(crons.list_schedules)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(f"Error: {exc}", style="red")
+            return
+        if not rows:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                "No scheduled tasks. Add one: /schedule add ...", style="dim"
+            )
+            return
+        table = Table(title="Scheduled Tasks", show_header=True)
+        table.add_column("ID", style="cyan")
+        table.add_column("Name", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Schedule", style="green")
+        table.add_column("Enabled", style="yellow")
+        table.add_column("Next run (UTC)", style="white")
+        for r in rows:
+            meta = r.get("metadata") or {}
+            table.add_row(
+                str(r.get("cron_id", ""))[:8],
+                str(meta.get("name", "")),
+                str(r.get("schedule", "")),
+                "yes" if r.get("enabled", True) else "no",
+                str(r.get("next_run_date", "")),
+            )
+        ctx.ui.mount_renderable(table)
+
+    _AMBIGUOUS = object()  # B2: sentinel returned when multiple crons match a prefix
+    _BACKEND_ERROR = object()  # sentinel returned when list_schedules() raises
+
+    async def _resolve(self, crons, prefix: str):
+        """Return the unique matching record, _AMBIGUOUS if >1 match, _BACKEND_ERROR on error, or None."""
+        # B1: guard SDK call — backend may die after is_available() check.
+        try:
+            all_rows = await asyncio.to_thread(crons.list_schedules)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            # Store the exception text so _resolve_or_report can surface it.
+            self._last_backend_exc = exc
+            return self._BACKEND_ERROR
+        # B2: collect ALL matches; ambiguous prefix → sentinel so callers can warn.
+        matches = [r for r in all_rows if str(r.get("cron_id", "")).startswith(prefix)]
+        if len(matches) > 1:
+            return self._AMBIGUOUS
+        return matches[0] if matches else None
+
+    async def _resolve_or_report(self, ctx: CommandContext, crons, prefix: str):
+        """Resolve prefix → record, emit UI error on ambiguity/miss/error, return None on failure."""
+        match = await self._resolve(crons, prefix)
+        if match is self._BACKEND_ERROR:
+            exc = getattr(self, "_last_backend_exc", None)
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                f"Error: scheduler backend unavailable ({exc})",
+                style="red",
+            )
+            return None
+        if match is self._AMBIGUOUS:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                f"Multiple schedules match '{prefix}' — use a longer id.",
+                style="yellow",
+            )
+            return None
+        if not match:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(f"No schedule matching {prefix}.", style="yellow")
+            return None
+        return match
+
+    async def _remove(self, ctx: CommandContext, crons, prefix: str) -> None:
+        if not prefix:
+            ctx.ui.append_system("Usage: /schedule remove <id>", style="yellow")
+            return
+        match = await self._resolve_or_report(ctx, crons, prefix)
+        if match is None:
+            return
+        cron_id = str(match.get("cron_id", ""))
+        try:
+            await asyncio.to_thread(crons.delete_schedule, cron_id)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(f"Error: {exc}", style="red")
+            return
+        ctx.ui.append_system(f"Removed schedule {cron_id}.", style="green")
+
+    async def _run(self, ctx: CommandContext, crons, prefix: str) -> None:
+        if not prefix:
+            ctx.ui.append_system("Usage: /schedule run <id>", style="yellow")
+            return
+        match = await self._resolve_or_report(ctx, crons, prefix)
+        if match is None:
+            return
+        prompt = (match.get("metadata") or {}).get("prompt", "")
+        if not str(prompt).strip():
+            ctx.ui.append_system(
+                f"Schedule {prefix} has no stored prompt — cannot run it.",
+                style="yellow",
+            )
+            return
+        try:
+            rec = await asyncio.to_thread(crons.run_now, prompt)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(f"Error: {exc}", style="red")
+            return
+        # Don't promise a location; the task's own prompt decides where output goes.
+        ctx.ui.append_system(
+            f"Fired schedule {prefix} once now (run {rec.get('run_id')}). "
+            "Any output goes wherever the task's instruction specifies.",
+            style="green",
+        )
+
+    async def _set_enabled(
+        self, ctx: CommandContext, crons, prefix: str, enabled: bool
+    ) -> None:
+        if not prefix:
+            ctx.ui.append_system("Usage: /schedule pause|resume <id>", style="yellow")
+            return
+        match = await self._resolve_or_report(ctx, crons, prefix)
+        if match is None:
+            return
+        cron_id = str(match.get("cron_id", ""))
+        try:
+            await asyncio.to_thread(crons.set_enabled, cron_id, enabled)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            ctx.ui.append_system(f"Error: {exc}", style="red")
+            return
+        ctx.ui.append_system(
+            f"{'Resumed' if enabled else 'Paused'} schedule {cron_id}.", style="green"
+        )
+
+
+# Register schedule command
+manager.register(ScheduleCommand())
diff --git a/EvoScientist/config/settings.py b/EvoScientist/config/settings.py
index 647f353..cb8e4b2 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/config/settings.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/config/settings.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class EvoScientistConfig:
         provider: Default LLM provider ('anthropic', 'openai', 'google-genai', or 'nvidia').
         model: Default model name (short name or full ID).
         auxiliary_provider: Provider for auxiliary_model (empty = use main provider).
-        auxiliary_model: Model for memory workers + tool selector (empty = use main model).
+        auxiliary_model: Model for memory workers + tool selector + scheduler (empty = use main model).
         default_mode: Default workspace mode ('daemon' or 'run').
         default_workdir: Default workspace directory (empty = use current working directory).
         show_thinking: Whether to show thinking panels in CLI.
@@ -165,6 +165,15 @@ class EvoScientistConfig:
     # its own port (langgraph_dev_port); this is just the browser server.
     webui_port: int = 4716
 
+    # --- Scheduled tasks (cron) ---
+    # Master switch for scheduled tasks (/schedule, NL tools, scheduler context). Defaults
+    # True so the feature is available out-of-the-box; set False to disable.
+    enable_scheduler: bool = True
+    # Default IANA timezone for cron schedules created without an explicit tz.
+    # Empty string => the host's local IANA zone (resolved via tzlocal), falling
+    # back to UTC if it can't be determined; set e.g. "Europe/London" to pin one.
+    scheduler_default_timezone: str = ""
+
     # Whether langgraph dev persists its runtime state to .langgraph_api/ next
     # to the subprocess cwd. True (default) keeps async-task, scheduler, and
     # Store API state across subprocess restarts — useful for future
@@ -660,6 +669,8 @@ _ENV_MAPPINGS = {
     "enable_async_subagents": "EVOSCIENTIST_ENABLE_ASYNC_SUBAGENTS",
     "langgraph_dev_port": "EVOSCIENTIST_LANGGRAPH_DEV_PORT",
     "webui_port": "EVOSCIENTIST_WEBUI_PORT",
+    "enable_scheduler": "EVOSCIENTIST_ENABLE_SCHEDULER",
+    "scheduler_default_timezone": "EVOSCIENTIST_SCHEDULER_DEFAULT_TIMEZONE",
     "code_interpreter_timeout": "EVOSCIENTIST_CODE_INTERPRETER_TIMEOUT",
     "code_interpreter_max_result_chars": "EVOSCIENTIST_CODE_INTERPRETER_MAX_RESULT_CHARS",
     "sandbox_execute_timeout": "EVOSCIENTIST_SANDBOX_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT",
diff --git a/EvoScientist/cron/__init__.py b/EvoScientist/cron/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4a89b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/EvoScientist/cron/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+"""Scheduled tasks (cron) for EvoScientist — thin layer over langgraph crons."""
+
+from .schedule import (
+    SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND,
+    SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID,
+    create_schedule,
+    delete_schedule,
+    is_available,
+    list_schedules,
+    run_now,
+    set_enabled,
+)
+
+__all__ = [
+    "SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND",
+    "SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID",
+    "create_schedule",
+    "delete_schedule",
+    "is_available",
+    "list_schedules",
+    "run_now",
+    "set_enabled",
+]
diff --git a/EvoScientist/cron/schedule.py b/EvoScientist/cron/schedule.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6bc2789
--- /dev/null
+++ b/EvoScientist/cron/schedule.py
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+"""Thin wrapper over the langgraph dev built-in cron API (langgraph_sdk).
+
+EvoScientist scheduled tasks ARE langgraph crons targeting the ``scheduler``
+graph. This module is the single choke-point so the ``/schedule`` command and the
+NL ``schedule_task`` tool share one implementation.
+
+Isolation is **process-level**, not data-level: EvoScientist's manager.py restarts
+langgraph dev when the active workspace changes, so each workspace gets its own
+langgraph-dev process and its own ``.langgraph_api`` cron store. If you point
+multiple clients at one hand-started server they will share the same cron store.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from langgraph_sdk.schema import Cron, Run
+
+SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID = "scheduler"
+SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND = "scheduled_task"
+
+
+def _scheduler_url() -> str:
+    from ..EvoScientist import _ensure_config
+
+    cfg = _ensure_config()
+    port = int(getattr(cfg, "langgraph_dev_port", 6174))
+    return f"http://localhost:{port}"
+
+
+def _client():
+    from langgraph_sdk import get_sync_client
+
+    return get_sync_client(url=_scheduler_url(), headers={"x-auth-scheme": "langsmith"})
+
+
+def _default_timezone() -> str | None:
+    from ..EvoScientist import _ensure_config
+
+    tz = getattr(_ensure_config(), "scheduler_default_timezone", "") or ""
+    if tz:
+        return tz
+    # Resolve the host's real IANA zone (e.g. "Asia/Shanghai") so absolute-time
+    # schedules fire in local time and track DST. Falls back to None (-> UTC in
+    # the cron backend) when the local zone can't be determined.
+    try:
+        from tzlocal import get_localzone_name
+
+        return get_localzone_name()
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def is_available() -> bool:
+    """True when the langgraph dev backend (which fires crons) is reachable."""
+    from ..langgraph_dev.manager import is_langgraph_dev_running
+
+    return bool(is_langgraph_dev_running(base_url=_scheduler_url()))
+
+
+def create_schedule(
+    *, name: str, schedule: str, prompt: str, timezone: str | None = None
+) -> Cron:
+    """Create a recurring scheduled task on the scheduler graph."""
+    # Crons are stored in the langgraph-dev process's .langgraph_api store, not
+    # tagged by workspace. Isolation is process-level (see module docstring).
+    return _client().crons.create(
+        assistant_id=SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID,
+        schedule=schedule,
+        input={"messages": [{"role": "user", "content": prompt}]},
+        metadata={"run_kind": SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND, "name": name, "prompt": prompt},
+        timezone=timezone or _default_timezone(),
+    )
+
+
+def list_schedules() -> list[Cron]:
+    """Return only EvoScientist scheduled tasks.
+
+    Filtered server-side by ``run_kind`` metadata (the cron backend matches by
+    metadata containment), so we never page through unrelated crons; ``limit`` is
+    a ceiling on OUR schedules (far below 1000 in practice). We filter on metadata
+    rather than ``assistant_id`` because the stored ``assistant_id`` is a resolved
+    UUID, not the ``scheduler`` graph name we create with.
+    """
+    return _client().crons.search(
+        metadata={"run_kind": SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND},
+        limit=1000,
+    )
+
+
+def delete_schedule(cron_id: str) -> None:
+    """Delete a scheduled task by cron id."""
+    _client().crons.delete(cron_id)
+
+
+def set_enabled(cron_id: str, enabled: bool) -> Cron:
+    """Enable or disable a scheduled task by cron id."""
+    return _client().crons.update(cron_id, enabled=enabled)
+
+
+def run_now(prompt: str) -> Run:
+    """Fire a one-off scheduler run immediately (for ``/schedule run``).
+
+    Output goes wherever the task's prompt specifies; there is no push notification.
+    """
+    client = _client()
+    thread = client.threads.create(graph_id=SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID)
+    return client.runs.create(
+        thread_id=str(thread["thread_id"]),
+        assistant_id=SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID,
+        input={"messages": [{"role": "user", "content": prompt}]},
+        metadata={
+            "run_kind": SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND,
+            "name": "manual-run",
+            "prompt": prompt,
+        },
+    )
diff --git a/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/graphs.py b/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/graphs.py
index 5e259d6..835e283 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/graphs.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/graphs.py
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ To add a new async sub-agent:
   1. Set ``async: true`` in ``EvoScientist/subagents/<name>.yaml``.
   2. Add a one-line binding here::
 
-         <snake_name>_agent = build_async_subagent_graph("<name>")
+         <snake_name> = build_async_subagent_graph("<name>")
 
   3. Register it in ``EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/langgraph.json``::
 
-         "<name>": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:<snake_name>_agent"
+         "<name>": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:<snake_name>"
 
 The deployed main agent (``EvoScientist_agent``) lives in ``main_graph.py``
 because it follows a different mechanism (re-exporting a lazily-constructed
@@ -30,5 +30,6 @@ from EvoScientist.subagents._factory import build_async_subagent_graph
 
 writing_agent = build_async_subagent_graph("writing-agent")
 data_analysis_agent = build_async_subagent_graph("data-analysis-agent")
+scheduler = build_async_subagent_graph("scheduler")
 evomemory_subagent_worker = build_memory_worker_graph(MemoryLifecycleRole.SUBAGENT)
 evomemory_turn_worker = build_memory_worker_graph(MemoryLifecycleRole.TURN)
diff --git a/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/langgraph.json b/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/langgraph.json
index 5c568c4..6cc690c 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/langgraph.json
+++ b/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/langgraph.json
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
         "EvoScientist": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.main_graph:EvoScientist_agent",
         "writing-agent": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:writing_agent",
         "data-analysis-agent": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:data_analysis_agent",
+        "scheduler": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:scheduler",
         "evomemory-subagent-worker": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:evomemory_subagent_worker",
         "evomemory-turn-worker": "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:evomemory_turn_worker"
     },
diff --git a/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/manager.py b/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/manager.py
index fb0552c..b419892 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/manager.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/langgraph_dev/manager.py
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ def needs_langgraph_dev(config: EvoScientistConfig) -> bool:
     """Return whether this config needs the background langgraph dev server."""
     if config.enable_async_subagents:
         return True
+    if config.enable_scheduler:
+        return True
     memory_controls = MemoryControls.from_config(config)
     return memory_controls.worker_needed(
         MemoryObservationTarget.TURN_WORKER
diff --git a/EvoScientist/middleware/__init__.py b/EvoScientist/middleware/__init__.py
index 0ad56dc..972a68a 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/middleware/__init__.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/middleware/__init__.py
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ from .memory_lifecycle import (
 )
 from .model_fallback import ModelFallbackMiddleware, load_fallback_chain
 from .runtime_context import RuntimeContextMiddleware, create_runtime_context_middleware
+from .scheduler import (
+    SchedulerMiddleware,
+    create_scheduler_middleware,
+)
 from .tool_error_handler import ToolErrorHandlerMiddleware
 from .tool_selector import create_tool_selector_middleware
 from .utils import disable_thinking
@@ -46,6 +50,7 @@ __all__ = [
     "ModelFallbackMiddleware",
     "Question",
     "RuntimeContextMiddleware",
+    "SchedulerMiddleware",
     "ToolErrorHandlerMiddleware",
     "compute_context_editing_trigger",
     "create_code_interpreter_middleware",
@@ -53,6 +58,7 @@ __all__ = [
     "create_memory_lifecycle_middleware",
     "create_memory_middleware",
     "create_runtime_context_middleware",
+    "create_scheduler_middleware",
     "create_tool_selector_middleware",
     "disable_thinking",
     "load_fallback_chain",
diff --git a/EvoScientist/middleware/memory.py b/EvoScientist/middleware/memory.py
index 39dd318..1fb8cc5 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/middleware/memory.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/middleware/memory.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ from langchain.agents.middleware.types import (
     ModelRequest,
     ModelResponse,
 )
-from langchain_core.messages import SystemMessage
 
 from .. import paths as _paths
 from ..memory import (
@@ -35,6 +34,7 @@ from ..memory import (
     create_record_observation_tool,
     create_search_observations_tool,
 )
+from .utils import append_to_system_message
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -162,21 +162,6 @@ Notes about this workspace: conventions, commands, tests, and traps.
 }
 
 
-def _append_to_system_message(
-    system_message: SystemMessage | None,
-    text: str,
-) -> SystemMessage:
-    """Append text to a system message while preserving existing metadata."""
-    existing_blocks = list(system_message.content_blocks) if system_message else []
-    new_blocks = [
-        *existing_blocks,
-        {"type": "text", "text": text},
-    ]
-    if system_message is None:
-        return SystemMessage(content=new_blocks)
-    return system_message.model_copy(update={"content": new_blocks})
-
-
 def _short_hash(text: str, *, n: int = 16) -> str:
     """Return a deterministic hash fragment for generated profile paths."""
     import hashlib
@@ -782,7 +767,7 @@ class EvoMemoryMiddleware(AgentMiddleware):
             observation_index_context=observation_index_context,
             profile_content=profile_content,
         )
-        new_system = _append_to_system_message(request.system_message, injection)
+        new_system = append_to_system_message(request.system_message, injection)
         return request.override(system_message=new_system)
 
     def _profile_context_for_request(self) -> str:
diff --git a/EvoScientist/middleware/scheduler.py b/EvoScientist/middleware/scheduler.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9307c40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/EvoScientist/middleware/scheduler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+"""Scheduling middleware and tools for the main agent.
+
+Bundles three NL scheduling tools (schedule_task, list_scheduled_tasks,
+cancel_scheduled_task) together with the SchedulerMiddleware that:
+- Injects scheduling guidance + a live ``<scheduled_tasks>`` block into every
+  system prompt (static→dynamic, mirroring EvoMemoryMiddleware).
+- Contributes the three tools via ``self.tools`` so agent wiring only needs to
+  append this middleware — no separate tool-list management required.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import time
+from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable
+
+from langchain.agents.middleware.types import (
+    AgentMiddleware,
+    ModelRequest,
+    ModelResponse,
+)
+from langchain_core.tools import tool
+
+from .utils import append_to_system_message
+
+_CACHE_TTL_SECONDS = 15.0
+
+# Static guidance injected into the system prompt; the dynamic <scheduled_tasks>
+# list follows it (static→dynamic, mirroring EvoMemoryMiddleware's
+# <memory_instructions> + <profile_memory> ordering).
+_SCHEDULING_INSTRUCTIONS = """<scheduling_instructions>
+When the user asks for something on a recurring schedule ("every 10 minutes",
+"each morning at 7"), translate the timing into a 5-field cron expression and
+call `schedule_task(name, cron, prompt, timezone)`. The `prompt` must be a
+complete, self-contained instruction. Spell out the task fully AND name an
+explicit destination for its result, e.g. "...and save the summary to
+`/memories/daily-papers.md`" or "...and append the status to `experiment_log.json`"
+or "...and update my research memory". It can use skills (e.g.
+`paper-navigator`) and the workspace; a task that never says where to put its
+output leaves no trace. Use `list_scheduled_tasks` / `cancel_scheduled_task` to
+manage them.
+</scheduling_instructions>"""
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# NL scheduling tools
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@tool
+def schedule_task(name: str, cron: str, prompt: str, timezone: str = "") -> str:
+    """Create a recurring scheduled task that runs unattended in the background.
+
+    Translate the user's natural-language timing into a standard 5-field cron
+    expression yourself before calling (e.g. 'every 10 minutes' -> '*/10 * * * *',
+    'every day at 7am' -> '0 7 * * *', 'every Monday 9am' -> '0 9 * * 1').
+
+    Args:
+        name: short human label for the task (e.g. "uk-weather").
+        cron: 5-field cron expression.
+        prompt: the full instruction the background scheduler runs each time.
+        timezone: optional IANA tz (e.g. "Europe/London"); empty = host local zone.
+    """
+    from ..cron import schedule as crons
+
+    if not crons.is_available():
+        return "Scheduler unavailable: the langgraph dev backend is not running."
+    try:
+        rec = crons.create_schedule(
+            name=name, schedule=cron, prompt=prompt, timezone=timezone or None
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        return f"Error: {e}"
+    return (
+        f"Scheduled '{name}' [{cron}] — id {rec.get('cron_id')}. It runs unattended in the "
+        "background; output goes wherever the task's prompt specifies. Use list_scheduled_tasks to review."
+    )
+
+
+@tool
+def list_scheduled_tasks() -> str:
+    """List the user's recurring scheduled tasks (id, name, schedule, enabled)."""
+    from ..cron import schedule as crons
+
+    if not crons.is_available():
+        return "Scheduler unavailable: the langgraph dev backend is not running."
+    try:
+        rows = crons.list_schedules()
+    except Exception as e:
+        return f"Error: {e}"
+    if not rows:
+        return "No scheduled tasks."
+    lines = []
+    for r in rows:
+        meta = r.get("metadata") or {}
+        lines.append(
+            f"- {str(r.get('cron_id', ''))[:8]} | {meta.get('name', '')} | "
+            f"{r.get('schedule', '')} | {'on' if r.get('enabled', True) else 'off'}"
+        )
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+@tool
+def cancel_scheduled_task(cron_id: str) -> str:
+    """Cancel (delete) a scheduled task. Pass the id (or its prefix) shown by list_scheduled_tasks."""
+    from ..cron import schedule as crons
+
+    if not crons.is_available():
+        return "Scheduler unavailable: the langgraph dev backend is not running."
+    if not cron_id.strip():
+        # Empty prefix would match (and delete) the only cron — refuse it.
+        return "Provide the id (or a prefix) of the task to cancel."
+    try:
+        rows = crons.list_schedules()
+        # B2: collect ALL prefix matches before acting to detect ambiguity.
+        matches = [r for r in rows if str(r.get("cron_id", "")).startswith(cron_id)]
+        if not matches:
+            return f"No scheduled task matching '{cron_id}'."
+        if len(matches) > 1:
+            ids = ", ".join(str(r.get("cron_id", ""))[:8] for r in matches)
+            return f"Multiple schedules match '{cron_id}' ({ids}) — use a longer id."
+        target = str(matches[0]["cron_id"])
+        crons.delete_schedule(target)
+    except Exception as e:
+        return f"Error: {e}"
+    return f"Cancelled scheduled task {target}."
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Middleware
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class SchedulerMiddleware(AgentMiddleware):
+    """Inject scheduling awareness + contribute scheduling tools to the main agent."""
+
+    name = "scheduler"
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+        self._cache: str | None = None
+        self._cache_at: float = 0.0
+        self.tools = [schedule_task, list_scheduled_tasks, cancel_scheduled_task]
+
+    def _schedules_block(self) -> str:
+        """Build the dynamic ``<scheduled_tasks>`` block (empty if none / down)."""
+        from ..cron import schedule as crons
+
+        def _clean(value: object) -> str:
+            # Flatten to one line + drop angle brackets so a task's own name or
+            # prompt can't break the <scheduled_tasks> block or inject pseudo-tags.
+            return " ".join(str(value).split()).replace("<", "").replace(">", "")
+
+        try:
+            if not crons.is_available():
+                return ""
+            rows = crons.list_schedules()
+        except Exception:
+            return ""
+        if not rows:
+            return ""
+        lines = [
+            "<scheduled_tasks>",
+            "Background cron tasks currently scheduled (they run unattended; you "
+            "need do nothing — this is for your awareness, e.g. to answer "
+            "questions about them or avoid creating duplicates):",
+        ]
+        for r in rows:
+            meta = r.get("metadata") or {}
+            lines.append(
+                f"- id={str(r.get('cron_id', ''))[:8]} | {_clean(meta.get('name', ''))} | "
+                f"{_clean(r.get('schedule', ''))} | "
+                f"{'on' if r.get('enabled', True) else 'off'} | "
+                f"{_clean(meta.get('prompt', ''))[:80]}"
+            )
+        lines.append("</scheduled_tasks>")
+        return "\n".join(lines)
+
+    def _cached_schedules_block(self) -> str:
+        now = time.monotonic()
+        if self._cache is None or (now - self._cache_at) > _CACHE_TTL_SECONDS:
+            self._cache = self._schedules_block()
+            self._cache_at = now
+        return self._cache
+
+    def _injection(self, schedules_block: str) -> str:
+        """Static instructions, then the dynamic list (static→dynamic, like memory)."""
+        parts = [_SCHEDULING_INSTRUCTIONS]
+        if schedules_block:
+            parts.append(schedules_block)
+        return "\n\n".join(parts)
+
+    def modify_request(self, request: ModelRequest) -> ModelRequest:
+        injection = self._injection(self._cached_schedules_block())
+        new_system = append_to_system_message(request.system_message, injection)
+        return request.override(system_message=new_system)
+
+    def wrap_model_call(
+        self,
+        request: ModelRequest,
+        handler: Callable[[ModelRequest], ModelResponse],
+    ) -> ModelResponse:
+        return handler(self.modify_request(request))
+
+    async def awrap_model_call(
+        self,
+        request: ModelRequest,
+        handler: Callable[[ModelRequest], Awaitable[ModelResponse]],
+    ) -> ModelResponse:
+        # Offload the (SDK-touching) list build to a thread so we never block the
+        # event loop or trip langgraph dev's blockbuster detector.
+        block = await asyncio.to_thread(self._cached_schedules_block)
+        injection = self._injection(block)
+        request = request.override(
+            system_message=append_to_system_message(request.system_message, injection)
+        )
+        return await handler(request)
+
+
+def create_scheduler_middleware() -> SchedulerMiddleware:
+    """Factory for the scheduler middleware (main agent only)."""
+    return SchedulerMiddleware()
diff --git a/EvoScientist/middleware/utils.py b/EvoScientist/middleware/utils.py
index c884f64..bd61d41 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/middleware/utils.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/middleware/utils.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Any
 
 from langchain_core.language_models import BaseChatModel
+from langchain_core.messages import SystemMessage
 
 
 def disable_thinking(model: BaseChatModel) -> BaseChatModel:
@@ -42,3 +43,20 @@ def disable_thinking(model: BaseChatModel) -> BaseChatModel:
         # Fallback for non-Pydantic or unusual model classes
         # Note: bind() may not effectively override first-class Pydantic fields
         return model.bind(**updates)
+
+
+def append_to_system_message(
+    system_message: SystemMessage | None, text: str
+) -> SystemMessage:
+    """Append a text block to a system message, preserving its metadata.
+
+    Used by the memory and scheduler middleware. Unlike building a fresh
+    ``SystemMessage``, ``model_copy`` keeps ``additional_kwargs`` (e.g.
+    ``cache_control`` prompt-cache breakpoints), ``id``, ``name`` and
+    ``response_metadata`` from the original message.
+    """
+    existing_blocks = list(system_message.content_blocks) if system_message else []
+    new_blocks = [*existing_blocks, {"type": "text", "text": text}]
+    if system_message is None:
+        return SystemMessage(content=new_blocks)
+    return system_message.model_copy(update={"content": new_blocks})
diff --git a/EvoScientist/subagents/_factory.py b/EvoScientist/subagents/_factory.py
index af91522..21aeaca 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/subagents/_factory.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/subagents/_factory.py
@@ -40,13 +40,14 @@ def build_async_subagent_graph(name: str) -> Any:
     from EvoScientist.config import apply_config_to_env, get_effective_config
     from EvoScientist.EvoScientist import (
         SUBAGENTS_CONFIG,
+        _ensure_auxiliary_chat_model,
         _ensure_chat_model,
         _ensure_general_purpose_subagent,
         _get_default_backend,
         _get_default_middleware,
         _inject_subagent_middleware,
     )
-    from EvoScientist.tools import tavily_search, think_tool
+    from EvoScientist.tools import skill_manager, tavily_search, think_tool
     from EvoScientist.utils import load_subagents
 
     # Surface API keys as env vars so downstream SDKs (openai, anthropic, …)
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ def build_async_subagent_graph(name: str) -> Any:
     apply_config_to_env(cfg)
 
     # Mirror the tool registry constructed in EvoScientist._build_base_kwargs.
-    tool_registry = {"think_tool": think_tool}
+    tool_registry = {"think_tool": think_tool, "skill_manager": skill_manager}
     if os.environ.get("TAVILY_API_KEY"):
         tool_registry["tavily_search"] = tavily_search
 
@@ -102,16 +103,23 @@ def build_async_subagent_graph(name: str) -> Any:
     _ensure_general_purpose_subagent(subagents)
     _inject_subagent_middleware(subagents)
 
+    middleware = _get_default_middleware(
+        for_async_subagent=True,
+        memory_source_agent=name,
+    )
+
+    # Scheduler is an unattended timer task → use the cheaper auxiliary model.
+    model = (
+        _ensure_auxiliary_chat_model() if name == "scheduler" else _ensure_chat_model()
+    )
+
     return create_deep_agent(
         name=name,
-        model=_ensure_chat_model(),
+        model=model,
         system_prompt=spec.get("system_prompt", ""),
         tools=spec.get("tools", []) + agent_mcp_tools,
         skills=spec.get("skills"),
         backend=_get_default_backend(),
-        middleware=_get_default_middleware(
-            for_async_subagent=True,
-            memory_source_agent=name,
-        ),
+        middleware=middleware,
         subagents=subagents,
     ).with_config({"recursion_limit": cfg.recursion_limit})
diff --git a/EvoScientist/subagents/scheduler.yaml b/EvoScientist/subagents/scheduler.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1626e8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/EvoScientist/subagents/scheduler.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+scheduler:
+  description: "Unattended background executor for a single scheduled (cron) task."
+  # write_file / read_file / edit_file / ls / execute are DeepAgents built-ins (always present).
+  # tavily_search requires TAVILY_API_KEY; it is silently omitted when the key is absent.
+  tools: [think_tool, tavily_search, skill_manager]
+  skills: ["/skills/"]
+  # Fired by langgraph-dev crons (client.crons.create). One run = one task.
+  # Deployment graph: EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:scheduler
+  async: true
+  system_prompt: |
+    You are the scheduler: an UNATTENDED background worker that runs ONE
+    scheduled task to completion on a timer. No human is present — never ask
+    questions; make reasonable assumptions and proceed.
+
+    Your task is the user message. Do it end-to-end, exactly as instructed.
+    The instruction is the single source of truth: if it tells you to write
+    files, write them to the paths it specifies (create directories as needed) —
+    there is no default output directory. If it does not ask for output, just
+    complete the task.
+
+    Rules:
+    - Keep outputs concise. Never fabricate data or citations.
+    - The current date is already in your runtime context. Use `execute`
+      (e.g. `date`) when you need the exact wall-clock time.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fbcce16..71f6d66 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ Moving beyond traditional human-in-the-loop systems, EvoScientist adopts a human
 - [📦 Installation](#-installation)
 - [🔑 Configuration](#-configuration)
 - [⚡ Quick Start](#-quick-start)
+- [⏰ Scheduled Tasks](#-scheduled-tasks)
 - [🍪 Examples & Recipes](#-examples--recipes)
 - [🔌 MCP Integration](#-mcp-integration)
 - [📱 Channels](#-channels)
@@ -535,6 +536,31 @@ for state in EvoScientist_agent.stream(
 
 <p align="right"><a href="#top">🔝Back to top</a></p>
 
+## ⏰ Scheduled Tasks
+
+Automate recurring research tasks with cron-style schedules.
+
+```bash
+# Add a schedule (cron expression required for /schedule add)
+/schedule add "0 9 * * 1-5" "Summarise the latest ML papers from arXiv with the paper-navigator skill, and save the summary to /memories/daily-papers.md"
+/schedule add "*/10 * * * *" "Check my running experiment's status and append the result to experiment_log.json"
+
+# Manage schedules
+/schedule list           # list active schedules
+/schedule remove <id>    # delete a schedule
+/schedule run <id>       # fire a schedule immediately
+/schedule pause <id>     # pause without deleting
+/schedule resume <id>    # resume a paused schedule
+```
+
+Note: `/schedule add` requires a cron expression (5 fields, e.g. `*/10 * * * *`). To schedule with natural language ("every 10 minutes"), just ask in chat — the agent translates it via the `schedule_task` tool.
+
+Output goes wherever the task's prompt tells it to write — there is no enforced output directory, so make the prompt specific about file locations. Run `/schedule list` to review schedules; the agent is also made aware of the active schedules via a `<scheduled_tasks>` context block, so you can just ask it what's scheduled.
+
+> **Cost note:** each scheduled run consumes LLM tokens. Delete unused schedules with `/schedule remove` to avoid accumulating charges.
+
+<p align="right"><a href="#top">🔝Back to top</a></p>
+
 ## 🍪 Examples & Recipes
 
 A curated collection of official examples, advanced usage patterns, and community-contributed recipes to help you get the most out of EvoScientist.
@@ -608,9 +634,9 @@ Coming soon:
 - [x] 📑 Technical report on the way
 - [x] 🔐 OAuth sign-in (CLI coding agent subscribers)
 - [x] 📺 Web app with workspace UI
+- [x] ⏰ Scheduled tasks (cron-style, via `/schedule`)
 - [ ] 📹 Demo and tutorial in the works
 - [ ] 📊 Benchmark suite to be released
-- [ ] ⏰ Scheduled tasks for the core system planned
 
 Stay tuned — more features are on the way!
 
@@ -625,7 +651,7 @@ Stay tuned — more features are on the way!
     <tr>
       <td align="center">
         <a href="https://x-izhang.github.io/">
-          <img src="https://x-izhang.github.io/author/xi-zhang/avatar_hu13660783057866068725.jpg"
+          <img src="https://x-izhang.github.io/author/xi-zhang/avatar.jpg"
                width="100" height="100"
                style="object-fit: cover; border-radius: 20%;" alt="Xi Zhang"/>
           <br />
diff --git a/README.zh-CN.md b/README.zh-CN.md
index b66e0ec..aaed297 100644
--- a/README.zh-CN.md
+++ b/README.zh-CN.md
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ EvoScientist 超越了传统的人在回路（Human-in-the-Loop）模式，采
 - [📦 安装](#-安装)
 - [🔑 配置](#-配置)
 - [⚡ 快速上手](#-快速上手)
+- [⏰ 定时任务](#-定时任务)
 - [🍪 示例与实践](#-示例与实践)
 - [🔌 MCP 集成](#-mcp-集成)
 - [📱 渠道接入](#-渠道接入)
@@ -544,6 +545,31 @@ for state in EvoScientist_agent.stream(
 
 <p align="right"><a href="#top">🔝回到顶部</a></p>
 
+## ⏰ 定时任务
+
+用 cron 风格的计划任务自动化重复性研究工作。
+
+```bash
+# 添加计划任务（/schedule add 需要 cron 表达式）
+/schedule add "0 9 * * 1-5" "用 paper-navigator 技能总结 arXiv 上最新的 ML 论文，并把摘要保存到 /memories/daily-papers.md"
+/schedule add "*/10 * * * *" "检查我正在运行的实验状态，并把结果追加到 experiment_log.json"
+
+# 管理计划任务
+/schedule list           # 列出活跃的计划任务
+/schedule remove <id>    # 删除一个计划任务
+/schedule run <id>       # 立即触发一次
+/schedule pause <id>     # 暂停但不删除
+/schedule resume <id>    # 恢复已暂停的计划任务
+```
+
+说明：`/schedule add` 需要 cron 表达式（5 字段，例如 `*/10 * * * *`）。想用自然语言（"每 10 分钟"）排程，直接在对话里说即可——智能体会通过 `schedule_task` 工具自动翻译。
+
+输出写到任务 prompt 指定的位置——没有强制的输出目录，所以请在 prompt 里写明文件位置。用 `/schedule list` 查看计划任务；智能体也会通过 `<scheduled_tasks>` 上下文块感知当前的计划任务，所以你也可以直接问它有哪些任务。
+
+> **成本提示：** 每次计划任务运行都会消耗 LLM token。不用的任务请用 `/schedule remove` 删除，避免持续计费。
+
+<p align="right"><a href="#top">🔝回到顶部</a></p>
+
 ## 🍪 示例与实践
 
 收集了一些官方示例、进阶用法和社区贡献的实践方案，帮助你更好地使用 EvoScientist。
@@ -617,9 +643,9 @@ channel_enabled: "telegram,slack,feishu,qq"
 - [x] 📑 技术报告已发布
 - [x] 🔐 OAuth 登录（CLI 编程智能体订阅用户）
 - [x] 📺 带工作区的 Web 应用界面（beta）
+- [x] ⏰ 定时任务（cron 风格，通过 /schedule）
 - [ ] 📹 Demo 与教程正在制作中
 - [ ] 📊 基准测试套件即将推出
-- [ ] ⏰ 核心系统定时任务规划中
 
 敬请期待——更多功能正在路上！
 
@@ -634,7 +660,7 @@ channel_enabled: "telegram,slack,feishu,qq"
     <tr>
       <td align="center">
         <a href="https://x-izhang.github.io/">
-          <img src="https://x-izhang.github.io/author/xi-zhang/avatar_hu13660783057866068725.jpg"
+          <img src="https://x-izhang.github.io/author/xi-zhang/avatar.jpg"
                width="100" height="100"
                style="object-fit: cover; border-radius: 20%;" alt="Xi Zhang"/>
           <br />
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index f541088..33de965 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "lazy-loader>=0.5",
     "markdownify>=1.2",
     "nest-asyncio>=1.6",
+    "tzlocal>=5.0",
     "langchain-mcp-adapters>=0.2",
     # <8.2.7: 8.2.7 Kitty "report-all-keys" breaks CJK input on iTerm2
     "textual>=8.0,<8.2.7",
diff --git a/tests/test_async_notifier.py b/tests/test_async_notifier.py
index 309b746..b7c7769 100644
--- a/tests/test_async_notifier.py
+++ b/tests/test_async_notifier.py
@@ -431,6 +431,23 @@ def test_format_batch_message_multiple():
     assert "check_async_task" in msg.lower()  # hint to LLM
 
 
+def test_format_batch_message_unknown_kind_uses_fallback_hint():
+    """A batch with only unrecognized kinds must not emit an empty hint join."""
+    notifs = [
+        async_notifier.AsyncTaskNotification(
+            task_id="t1",
+            agent_name="x",
+            status="success",
+            received_at="2026-05-07T12:00:00Z",
+            prompt="A",
+            kind="weird",
+        )
+    ]
+    msg = format_batch_message(notifs)
+    assert "the appropriate status tool" in msg
+    assert "via  " not in msg  # no empty " or ".join(hints)
+
+
 def test_dedup_preserves_order():
     """dedup_notifications preserves the original order of notifications."""
     notifs = [
diff --git a/tests/test_cli_serve.py b/tests/test_cli_serve.py
index 4eb7642..89d75e4 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli_serve.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli_serve.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ def _make_config(
         enable_ask_user=enable_ask_user,
         dangerous_mode=dangerous_mode,
         enable_async_subagents=False,
+        enable_scheduler=False,
         memory_profile_enabled=True,
         memory_observations_enabled=True,
         memory_observation_writer=MemoryObservationWriter.ALL,
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index f10f7c2..abec7ca 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -738,3 +738,19 @@ class TestAuxiliaryModelConfig:
         config = get_effective_config()
         assert config.auxiliary_model == "gpt-5.5"
         assert config.auxiliary_provider == "openai"
+
+
+def test_scheduler_config_defaults_and_env(monkeypatch):
+    from EvoScientist.config.settings import EvoScientistConfig, get_effective_config
+
+    c = EvoScientistConfig()
+    assert c.enable_scheduler is True
+    assert c.scheduler_default_timezone == ""
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("EVOSCIENTIST_ENABLE_SCHEDULER", "false")
+    eff = get_effective_config({})
+    assert eff.enable_scheduler is False
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("EVOSCIENTIST_SCHEDULER_DEFAULT_TIMEZONE", "America/New_York")
+    eff2 = get_effective_config({})
+    assert eff2.scheduler_default_timezone == "America/New_York"
diff --git a/tests/test_cron_schedule.py b/tests/test_cron_schedule.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b3fb69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_cron_schedule.py
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+"""Unit tests for the cron wrapper (mock langgraph_sdk client)."""
+
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+
+def _patch_client(monkeypatch):
+    from EvoScientist.cron import schedule as crons
+
+    fake = MagicMock()
+    fake.crons.create.return_value = {"cron_id": "c-1", "schedule": "*/10 * * * *"}
+    fake.crons.search.return_value = [
+        {
+            "cron_id": "c-1",
+            "schedule": "*/10 * * * *",
+            "metadata": {"run_kind": "scheduled_task", "name": "weather"},
+        },
+    ]
+    monkeypatch.setattr(crons, "_client", lambda: fake)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(crons, "_default_timezone", lambda: "Europe/London")
+    return crons, fake
+
+
+def test_create_schedule_targets_scheduler(monkeypatch):
+    crons, fake = _patch_client(monkeypatch)
+    rec = crons.create_schedule(
+        name="weather",
+        schedule="*/10 * * * *",
+        prompt="search uk weather and summarize",
+    )
+    assert rec["cron_id"] == "c-1"
+    kw = fake.crons.create.call_args.kwargs
+    assert kw["assistant_id"] == crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID
+    assert kw["schedule"] == "*/10 * * * *"
+    assert kw["input"] == {
+        "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "search uk weather and summarize"}]
+    }
+    assert kw["metadata"]["run_kind"] == crons.SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND
+    assert kw["metadata"]["name"] == "weather"
+    assert kw["timezone"] == "Europe/London"
+
+
+def test_list_schedules_uses_server_side_filter(monkeypatch):
+    crons, fake = _patch_client(monkeypatch)
+    out = crons.list_schedules()
+    assert [c["cron_id"] for c in out] == ["c-1"]
+    # Filtered server-side by run_kind metadata (no client filter); high limit so
+    # users with >10 schedules still see them all.
+    fake.crons.search.assert_called_once_with(
+        metadata={"run_kind": crons.SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND},
+        limit=1000,
+    )
+
+
+def test_delete_and_set_enabled(monkeypatch):
+    crons, fake = _patch_client(monkeypatch)
+    crons.delete_schedule("c-1")
+    fake.crons.delete.assert_called_once_with("c-1")
+    crons.set_enabled("c-1", False)
+    assert fake.crons.update.call_args.kwargs["enabled"] is False
+
+
+def test_run_now_dispatches_thread_then_run(monkeypatch):
+    crons, fake = _patch_client(monkeypatch)
+    fake.threads.create.return_value = {"thread_id": "t-1"}
+    fake.runs.create.return_value = {"run_id": "r-1"}
+    rec = crons.run_now("do the thing")
+    assert rec["run_id"] == "r-1"
+    fake.threads.create.assert_called_once_with(graph_id=crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID)
+    run_kw = fake.runs.create.call_args.kwargs
+    assert run_kw["thread_id"] == "t-1"
+    assert run_kw["assistant_id"] == crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID
+    assert run_kw["input"] == {
+        "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "do the thing"}]
+    }
+    assert run_kw["metadata"]["run_kind"] == crons.SCHEDULED_RUN_KIND
+    assert run_kw["metadata"]["prompt"] == "do the thing"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Task 3: scheduler registration tests
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_scheduler_yaml_loads_as_async():
+    """scheduler.yaml must define scheduler with async:true and a system_prompt."""
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    import yaml
+
+    import EvoScientist
+
+    subagents_dir = Path(EvoScientist.__file__).parent / "subagents"
+    yaml_path = subagents_dir / "scheduler.yaml"
+    assert yaml_path.exists(), f"Missing {yaml_path}"
+    data = yaml.safe_load(yaml_path.read_text())
+    assert "scheduler" in data, "Top-level key must be 'scheduler'"
+    spec = data["scheduler"]
+    assert spec.get("async") is True, "scheduler must have 'async: true'"
+    assert spec.get("system_prompt"), "scheduler must have a non-empty system_prompt"
+    # description drives task-tool routing — must be a non-empty string.
+    assert spec.get("description"), "scheduler must have a non-empty description"
+
+
+def test_langgraph_json_registers_scheduler():
+    """langgraph.json must map scheduler to the graphs:scheduler binding."""
+    import json
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    import EvoScientist
+
+    root = Path(EvoScientist.__file__).parent
+    manifest = json.loads((root / "langgraph_dev" / "langgraph.json").read_text())
+    assert manifest["graphs"]["scheduler"] == (
+        "EvoScientist.langgraph_dev.graphs:scheduler"
+    )
+
+
+def test_scheduler_graph_id_matches_registration():
+    """SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID must match both langgraph.json and scheduler.yaml top-level key."""
+    import json
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    import yaml
+
+    import EvoScientist
+    from EvoScientist.cron import schedule as crons
+
+    root = Path(EvoScientist.__file__).parent
+    manifest = json.loads((root / "langgraph_dev" / "langgraph.json").read_text())
+    assert crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID in manifest["graphs"], (
+        f"SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID={crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID!r} not found in langgraph.json graphs"
+    )
+    spec = yaml.safe_load((root / "subagents" / "scheduler.yaml").read_text())
+    assert crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID in spec, (
+        f"SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID={crons.SCHEDULER_GRAPH_ID!r} is not the top-level key in scheduler.yaml"
+    )
diff --git a/tests/test_langgraph_manager.py b/tests/test_langgraph_manager.py
index 2eef08f..0a73113 100644
--- a/tests/test_langgraph_manager.py
+++ b/tests/test_langgraph_manager.py
@@ -240,10 +240,11 @@ class TestEnsureLanggraphDev:
     def test_skips_when_async_and_memory_workers_disabled(
         self, tmp_path, runtime_paths
     ):
-        """No background server is needed without async subagents or workers."""
+        """No background server is needed without async subagents, workers, or scheduler."""
         cfg = EvoScientistConfig()
         cfg.enable_async_subagents = False
         cfg.memory_workers_enabled = False
+        cfg.enable_scheduler = False  # scheduler crons also require the backend
         cfg.langgraph_dev_port = 6174
         cfg.langgraph_dev_file_persistence = True
         with (
@@ -265,6 +266,16 @@ class TestEnsureLanggraphDev:
         start.assert_not_called()
         assert manager.is_async_subagents_available() is False
 
+    def test_needs_langgraph_dev_for_scheduler_only(self):
+        """enable_scheduler alone requires the backend (crons fire inside it)."""
+        cfg = EvoScientistConfig()
+        cfg.enable_async_subagents = False
+        cfg.memory_workers_enabled = False
+        cfg.enable_scheduler = True
+        assert manager.needs_langgraph_dev(cfg) is True
+        cfg.enable_scheduler = False
+        assert manager.needs_langgraph_dev(cfg) is False
+
     def test_reuses_existing_healthy_subprocess(self, tmp_path, runtime_paths):
         """When the subprocess is already running, no new Popen call."""
         cfg = EvoScientistConfig()
diff --git a/tests/test_profile_memory_middleware.py b/tests/test_profile_memory_middleware.py
index fb9e3eb..2179978 100644
--- a/tests/test_profile_memory_middleware.py
+++ b/tests/test_profile_memory_middleware.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def test_append_to_system_message_preserves_metadata():
         response_metadata={"provider": "test"},
     )
 
-    updated = memory_module._append_to_system_message(
+    updated = memory_module.append_to_system_message(
         system_message,
         "memory context",
     )
diff --git a/tests/test_schedule_command.py b/tests/test_schedule_command.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3ea9ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_schedule_command.py
@@ -0,0 +1,236 @@
+"""Tests for the /schedule command."""
+
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+from tests.conftest import run_async as _run
+
+
+def _ctx():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.base import CommandContext
+
+    ui = MagicMock()
+    return CommandContext(agent=None, thread_id="tid", ui=ui), ui
+
+
+def test_list_when_backend_down():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, ui = _ctx()
+    with patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=False):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["list"]))
+    msgs = [c.args[0] for c in ui.append_system.call_args_list]
+    assert any("unavailable" in m.lower() for m in msgs)
+
+
+def test_add_parses_five_field_cron_and_prompt():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, _ui = _ctx()
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.create_schedule",
+            return_value={"cron_id": "c-9"},
+        ) as mk,
+    ):
+        _run(
+            ScheduleCommand().execute(
+                ctx, ["add", "*/10", "*", "*", "*", "*", "search", "uk", "weather"]
+            )
+        )
+    kw = mk.call_args.kwargs
+    assert kw["schedule"] == "*/10 * * * *"
+    assert kw["prompt"] == "search uk weather"
+
+
+def test_list_renders_table():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, ui = _ctx()
+    rows = [
+        {
+            "cron_id": "c-1",
+            "schedule": "0 9 * * *",
+            "enabled": True,
+            "next_run_date": "2026-06-25T09:00:00+00:00",
+            "metadata": {"name": "daily"},
+        }
+    ]
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=rows),
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["list"]))
+    ui.mount_renderable.assert_called_once()
+
+
+def test_add_parses_quoted_cron_and_prompt():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, _ui = _ctx()
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.create_schedule",
+            return_value={"cron_id": "c-9"},
+        ) as mk,
+    ):
+        _run(
+            ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["add", "*/10 * * * *", "search uk weather"])
+        )
+    kw = mk.call_args.kwargs
+    assert kw["schedule"] == "*/10 * * * *"
+    assert kw["prompt"] == "search uk weather"
+
+
+def test_run_with_matching_prefix_fires_matched_prompt():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, _ui = _ctx()
+    rows = [{"cron_id": "c-12345", "metadata": {"prompt": "do the thing"}}]
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=rows),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.run_now",
+            return_value={"run_id": "r-1"},
+        ) as rn,
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["run", "c-123"]))
+    rn.assert_called_once_with("do the thing")
+
+
+def test_run_with_no_match_reports():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, ui = _ctx()
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=[]),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.run_now") as rn,
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["run", "nope"]))
+    rn.assert_not_called()
+    msgs = [c.args[0] for c in ui.append_system.call_args_list]
+    assert any("No schedule matching" in m for m in msgs)
+
+
+def test_pause_resume_set_enabled_with_resolved_id():
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    rows = [{"cron_id": "c-abcdef", "metadata": {"name": "t"}}]
+    for sub, expected in (("pause", False), ("resume", True)):
+        ctx, _ui = _ctx()
+        with (
+            patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+            patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=rows),
+            patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.set_enabled") as se,
+        ):
+            _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, [sub, "c-abc"]))
+        se.assert_called_once_with("c-abcdef", expected)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# B1: _list error handling when backend dies after is_available()
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_list_error_shows_red_message_no_exception():
+    """B1: list_schedules raising after is_available() shows a red error, not a traceback."""
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, ui = _ctx()
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules",
+            side_effect=RuntimeError("backend gone"),
+        ),
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["list"]))
+    msgs = [c.args[0] for c in ui.append_system.call_args_list]
+    assert any("Error:" in m for m in msgs)
+    # Verify no exception escaped (test would have raised above otherwise)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# B2: ambiguous prefix detection in /schedule command
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_remove_ambiguous_prefix_aborts_without_deleting():
+    """B2: two crons sharing a prefix → ambiguity message, delete NOT called."""
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, ui = _ctx()
+    rows = [
+        {"cron_id": "abc-111", "metadata": {}},
+        {"cron_id": "abc-222", "metadata": {}},
+    ]
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=rows),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.delete_schedule") as mk,
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["remove", "abc"]))
+    mk.assert_not_called()
+    msgs = [c.args[0] for c in ui.append_system.call_args_list]
+    assert any("Multiple" in m for m in msgs)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# B3: sanitized name from prompt
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_remove_backend_error_shows_red_error_not_no_match():
+    """FIX 1: list_schedules() crashing in _resolve → red 'Error:' message, not 'No schedule matching'."""
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, ui = _ctx()
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules",
+            side_effect=RuntimeError("boom"),
+        ),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.delete_schedule") as mk,
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["remove", "abc"]))
+    mk.assert_not_called()
+    msgs = [c.args[0] for c in ui.append_system.call_args_list]
+    assert any("Error:" in m for m in msgs), f"Expected red Error: message, got: {msgs}"
+    assert not any("No schedule matching" in m for m in msgs), (
+        f"Backend crash must not look like a name miss, got: {msgs}"
+    )
+    # The error message must mention unavailable/backend to distinguish from other errors.
+    assert any("unavailable" in m.lower() or "backend" in m.lower() for m in msgs), (
+        f"Error message should mention backend/unavailable, got: {msgs}"
+    )
+
+
+def test_add_name_sanitized_from_nasty_prompt():
+    """B3: prompt with newline / slashes / special chars → clean kebab-case name."""
+    import re
+
+    from EvoScientist.commands.implementation.schedule import ScheduleCommand
+
+    ctx, _ui = _ctx()
+    # prompt with newline, slashes, and dots
+    nasty_prompt = "Search /tmp/foo\nand summarize! Latest.Papers."
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.create_schedule",
+            return_value={"cron_id": "c-x"},
+        ) as mk,
+    ):
+        _run(ScheduleCommand().execute(ctx, ["add", "*/5 * * * *", nasty_prompt]))
+    name = mk.call_args.kwargs["name"]
+    # Must be non-empty, no spaces, no newlines, no slashes
+    assert name
+    assert " " not in name
+    assert "\n" not in name
+    assert "/" not in name
+    # Only safe chars: lowercase alphanumeric and hyphens
+    assert re.fullmatch(r"[a-z0-9][a-z0-9\-]*", name), f"Unexpected name: {name!r}"
diff --git a/tests/test_scheduler.py b/tests/test_scheduler.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..96ff698
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_scheduler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+"""Tests for SchedulerMiddleware (scheduling guide + <scheduled_tasks> injection)."""
+
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+
+def _mw():
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import SchedulerMiddleware
+
+    m = SchedulerMiddleware()
+    m._cache = None
+    m._cache_at = 0.0
+    return m
+
+
+def test_schedules_block_lists_active_crons(monkeypatch):
+    from EvoScientist.cron import schedule as crons
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(crons, "is_available", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        crons,
+        "list_schedules",
+        lambda: [
+            {
+                "cron_id": "abc12345-xyz",
+                "schedule": "*/10 * * * *",
+                "enabled": True,
+                "metadata": {"name": "weather", "prompt": "search uk weather"},
+            }
+        ],
+    )
+    block = _mw()._schedules_block()
+    assert "<scheduled_tasks>" in block
+    assert "</scheduled_tasks>" in block
+    assert "weather" in block
+    assert "*/10 * * * *" in block
+    assert "abc12345" in block
+
+
+def test_schedules_block_empty_when_unavailable(monkeypatch):
+    from EvoScientist.cron import schedule as crons
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(crons, "is_available", lambda: False)
+    assert _mw()._schedules_block() == ""
+
+
+def test_schedules_block_empty_on_error(monkeypatch):
+    from EvoScientist.cron import schedule as crons
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(crons, "is_available", lambda: True)
+
+    def _boom():
+        raise RuntimeError("backend died")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(crons, "list_schedules", _boom)
+    assert _mw()._schedules_block() == ""
+
+
+def test_modify_request_injects_guide_even_with_no_schedules(monkeypatch):
+    # The static scheduling guide is injected on every call; the dynamic
+    # <scheduled_tasks> block is added only when there are active schedules.
+    m = _mw()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(m, "_cached_schedules_block", lambda: "")
+    req = MagicMock()
+    req.system_message = None
+    m.modify_request(req)
+    req.override.assert_called_once()
+    sysmsg = req.override.call_args.kwargs["system_message"]
+    text = " ".join(str(b) for b in sysmsg.content_blocks)
+    assert "scheduling_instructions" in text
+    # The guide mentions <scheduled_tasks> in prose; the actual dynamic block
+    # (identified by its closing tag) must be absent when there are no schedules.
+    assert "</scheduled_tasks>" not in text
+
+
+def test_modify_request_injects_guide_and_schedules(monkeypatch):
+    m = _mw()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        m, "_cached_schedules_block", lambda: "<scheduled_tasks>\nx\n</scheduled_tasks>"
+    )
+    req = MagicMock()
+    req.system_message = None
+    m.modify_request(req)
+    req.override.assert_called_once()
+    sysmsg = req.override.call_args.kwargs["system_message"]
+    text = " ".join(str(b) for b in sysmsg.content_blocks)
+    assert "scheduling_instructions" in text
+    assert "</scheduled_tasks>" in text
+
+
+def test_middleware_exposes_three_tools():
+    """SchedulerMiddleware.tools must contain the three scheduling tools."""
+    m = _mw()
+    tool_names = [t.name for t in m.tools]
+    assert tool_names == [
+        "schedule_task",
+        "list_scheduled_tasks",
+        "cancel_scheduled_task",
+    ]
diff --git a/tests/test_scheduler_tools.py b/tests/test_scheduler_tools.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91975e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_scheduler_tools.py
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+"""Tests for the natural-language scheduling tools."""
+
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+
+def test_schedule_task_translates_and_creates():
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import schedule_task
+
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.create_schedule",
+            return_value={"cron_id": "c-7"},
+        ) as mk,
+    ):
+        out = schedule_task.invoke(
+            {
+                "name": "weather",
+                "cron": "*/10 * * * *",
+                "prompt": "search uk weather and summarize",
+                "timezone": "",
+            }
+        )
+    assert "c-7" in out
+    assert mk.call_args.kwargs["schedule"] == "*/10 * * * *"
+    assert mk.call_args.kwargs["name"] == "weather"
+
+
+def test_schedule_task_reports_backend_down():
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import schedule_task
+
+    with patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=False):
+        out = schedule_task.invoke(
+            {"name": "x", "cron": "* * * * *", "prompt": "do x", "timezone": ""}
+        )
+    assert "unavailable" in out.lower()
+
+
+def test_cancel_scheduled_task():
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import cancel_scheduled_task
+
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=[]),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.delete_schedule") as mk,
+    ):
+        out = cancel_scheduled_task.invoke({"cron_id": "c-7"})
+    mk.assert_not_called()
+    assert "No scheduled task matching" in out
+
+
+def test_cancel_scheduled_task_prefix_match():
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import cancel_scheduled_task
+
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules",
+            return_value=[{"cron_id": "c-7-abc"}],
+        ),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.delete_schedule") as mk,
+    ):
+        out = cancel_scheduled_task.invoke({"cron_id": "c-7"})
+    mk.assert_called_once_with("c-7-abc")
+    assert "c-7-abc" in out
+
+
+def test_list_scheduled_tasks_formats_rows():
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import list_scheduled_tasks
+
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules",
+            return_value=[
+                {
+                    "cron_id": "c-1-xyz",
+                    "schedule": "0 9 * * *",
+                    "enabled": True,
+                    "metadata": {"name": "daily"},
+                }
+            ],
+        ),
+    ):
+        out = list_scheduled_tasks.invoke({})
+    assert "daily" in out
+    assert "0 9 * * *" in out
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# B2: ambiguous prefix in cancel_scheduled_task tool
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_cancel_ambiguous_prefix_aborts_without_deleting():
+    """B2: two crons sharing a prefix → returns ambiguity message, delete NOT called."""
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import cancel_scheduled_task
+
+    rows = [{"cron_id": "abc-111"}, {"cron_id": "abc-222"}]
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules", return_value=rows),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.delete_schedule") as mk,
+    ):
+        out = cancel_scheduled_task.invoke({"cron_id": "abc"})
+    mk.assert_not_called()
+    assert "Multiple" in out
+
+
+def test_cancel_empty_cron_id_refuses_without_deleting():
+    """Empty cron_id would match (and delete) the only cron — must refuse early."""
+    from EvoScientist.middleware.scheduler import cancel_scheduled_task
+
+    with (
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.is_available", return_value=True),
+        patch(
+            "EvoScientist.cron.schedule.list_schedules",
+            return_value=[{"cron_id": "only-one"}],
+        ),
+        patch("EvoScientist.cron.schedule.delete_schedule") as mk,
+    ):
+        out = cancel_scheduled_task.invoke({"cron_id": "   "})
+    mk.assert_not_called()
+    assert "Provide" in out
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 830a85c..9214c81 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -972,6 +972,7 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "tavily-python" },
     { name = "textual" },
     { name = "typer" },
+    { name = "tzlocal" },
 ]
 
 [package.optional-dependencies]
@@ -1093,6 +1094,7 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "tavily-python", specifier = ">=0.7" },
     { name = "textual", specifier = ">=8.0,<8.2.7" },
     { name = "typer", specifier = ">=0.24" },
+    { name = "tzlocal", specifier = ">=5.0" },
 ]
 provides-extras = ["dev", "telegram", "discord", "slack", "wechat", "feishu", "qq", "stt", "oauth", "all-channels"]