--- title: How to Schedule Automatic WooCommerce Stock Snapshots description: Record WooCommerce stock automatically at any interval with Action Scheduler, a manual tool or a server cron URL. url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-history-schedule-snapshots/" updated: "2026-10-05" category: How to --- # How to Schedule Automatic WooCommerce Stock Snapshots To schedule automatic WooCommerce stock snapshots, go to **WPFactory > Stock Snapshot** in [Stock History & Reports Manager for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/stock-snapshot-for-woocommerce/), tick **Periodic snapshots** under **Periodic Snapshots Options**, set the **Interval (in seconds)**, for example `86400` for once a day, and click **Save changes**. ![General section, Periodic Snapshots Options with the "Next stock snapshot is scheduled at" message, the Periodic snapsho](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/stock-history-schedule-snapshots-1.png) ## How snapshots are taken Stock History records stock in four ways. All of them are free: - **Product update snapshots** (on by default): a snapshot of one product each time it is saved, including stock changes from orders and refunds. - **Periodic snapshots** (on by default): a snapshot of every product at a fixed interval. - **Manual snapshot**: a snapshot of every product when you run the **Take snapshot** tool. - **URL snapshot** (off by default): a snapshot of every product when a special address is visited, useful with a server cron job. ## Set the periodic interval 1. Go to **WPFactory > Stock Snapshot** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Stock Snapshot**). You land on the **General** section. 2. Under **Periodic Snapshots Options**, tick **Periodic snapshots**. 3. Enter the **Interval (in seconds)**. The default is `86400` (24 hours) and the minimum is `60`. Examples: `3600` hourly, `43200` twice a day, `604800` weekly. 4. Click **Save changes**. The section heading shows when the next snapshot is scheduled and the current site time. Snapshots run through Action Scheduler. To watch or run them by hand, go to **WooCommerce > Status > Scheduled Actions** and search for `alg_wc_stock_snapshot_action`. Changing the interval replaces the old schedule with a new one that starts right away. ## Take a snapshot now 1. Open the **Tools** section. 2. Tick **Take snapshot** and click **Save changes**. 3. A message confirms "Snapshot taken for N product(s)". ## Use a server cron job instead If WP-Cron is unreliable on your site, you can trigger snapshots from your hosting control panel: 1. On the **General** section, tick **Allow snapshots via URL** and save. The help tip shows your address, which is your site address followed by `?alg_wc_stock_snapshot=1`. 2. In your hosting control panel, create a cron job that requests that address at the interval you want, for example with `wget -q -O /dev/null "https://example.com/?alg_wc_stock_snapshot=1"`. 3. Optional: untick **Periodic snapshots** so you do not record twice. **Note:** the snapshot URL does not require a login. Anyone who knows it can start a full snapshot, which is heavy on large stores. Leave **Allow snapshots via URL** off unless you use it. ## Choosing a sensible interval - Each periodic snapshot records every stock-managed product, even if nothing changed, and keeps the record forever unless you delete it. - Because product updates are already recorded as they happen, a daily interval is enough for most stores. Very short intervals grow your database quickly and add server load. - With Pro snapshot emails enabled, every periodic, manual or URL snapshot sends an email, so match the interval to how often you want the email. ## Frequently asked questions ### The settings page says "Crons are disabled on your site!" What does that mean? Your `wp-config.php` sets `DISABLE_WP_CRON` to `true`, so scheduled snapshots will not run on their own. Set it to `false`, or keep it and add a server cron job that runs WP-Cron or the snapshot URL. ### Do periodic snapshots include variations? Yes, when **Include variations** is on (the default). Each variation is recorded as a separate product. ### Does deactivating the plugin stop the schedule? Yes. Deactivation removes the scheduled snapshot action. It is created again when you reactivate the plugin. ### Does a periodic snapshot record products that do not manage stock? It runs over all products, but products without **Manage stock?** have no quantity, so nothing useful appears for them in the reports. ### Get more from Stock History Scheduled snapshots are free. [Stock History & Reports Manager for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/stock-snapshot-for-woocommerce/) Pro can email you a stock summary after each one. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/stock-snapshot-for-woocommerce/). Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Stock History support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/). Related articles - [Stock History Troubleshooting: Missing Snapshots, Slow Reports and Emails](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-history-troubleshooting/) - [How to Email WooCommerce Stock Reports Automatically](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-history-email-reports/) - [How to See WooCommerce Stock Levels on a Past Date](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-history-past-stock-levels/) - [How to Create a WooCommerce Stock Change Report](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-history-stock-change-report/) - [How to See WooCommerce Stock History for a Product](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-history-product/)