Cron Job Python Script Execution Failure in Isolated Sessions (Python: not found)
Problem:
We're facing an issue where scheduled cron jobs targeting sessionTarget: "isolated" fail to execute Python scripts (e.g., daily_morning_feed.py), even though the cron job itself reports successful completion. The error messages indicate python: not found or similar, suggesting Python is not accessible or executable within the isolated cron session environment.
Details:
1. Initial Gateway Issues: We experienced persistent gateway timeouts when scheduling cron jobs, which we've largely resolved by cleaning up duplicates and using correct syntax (--at, --session isolated, --announce).
2. Cron Job Setup: We've successfully scheduled one-shot cron jobs targeting sessionTarget: "isolated" with payload.kind: "agentTurn" and delivery.mode: "announce". These jobs are added using commands like openclaw cron add --name '...' --at '...' --session isolated --message 'python ...' --announce.
Ventriquo Assistant, [2/27/2026 6:04 PM]
3. Python Execution Failure: Despite successful cron job scheduling and execution reporting, the Python script within the isolated session does not seem to run. The system logs often show errors like python: not found or contain tool_code snippets implying the script wasn't executed as expected, even when the cron job claims success.
4. Environment: The issue occurs even when targeting sessionTarget: "isolated", suggesting an environment configuration problem within those sessions.
What we've tried:
• Extensive troubleshooting of gateway timeouts.
• Correctly configuring cron job syntax for isolated sessions and announce delivery.
• Verifying the Python script exists.
What we need help with:
• Understanding why Python is not found or executable in isolated cron job sessions, despite successful cron job scheduling.
• Guidance on how to ensure Python is installed and accessible within these isolated environments.
• Any best practices for running Python scripts via cron jobs in OpenClaw, especially concerning environment setup for isolated sessions.
Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
We're facing an issue where scheduled cron jobs targeting sessionTarget: "isolated" fail to execute Python scripts (e.g., daily_morning_feed.py), even though the cron job itself reports successful completion. The error messages indicate python: not found or similar, suggesting Python is not accessible or executable within the isolated cron session environment.
Details:
1. Initial Gateway Issues: We experienced persistent gateway timeouts when scheduling cron jobs, which we've largely resolved by cleaning up duplicates and using correct syntax (--at, --session isolated, --announce).
2. Cron Job Setup: We've successfully scheduled one-shot cron jobs targeting sessionTarget: "isolated" with payload.kind: "agentTurn" and delivery.mode: "announce". These jobs are added using commands like openclaw cron add --name '...' --at '...' --session isolated --message 'python ...' --announce.
Ventriquo Assistant, [2/27/2026 6:04 PM]
3. Python Execution Failure: Despite successful cron job scheduling and execution reporting, the Python script within the isolated session does not seem to run. The system logs often show errors like python: not found or contain tool_code snippets implying the script wasn't executed as expected, even when the cron job claims success.
4. Environment: The issue occurs even when targeting sessionTarget: "isolated", suggesting an environment configuration problem within those sessions.
What we've tried:
• Extensive troubleshooting of gateway timeouts.
• Correctly configuring cron job syntax for isolated sessions and announce delivery.
• Verifying the Python script exists.
What we need help with:
• Understanding why Python is not found or executable in isolated cron job sessions, despite successful cron job scheduling.
• Guidance on how to ensure Python is installed and accessible within these isolated environments.
• Any best practices for running Python scripts via cron jobs in OpenClaw, especially concerning environment setup for isolated sessions.
Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
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