Run Your Python Script Daily (Free!)

This template runs your Python script automatically using GitHub Actions.

No server needed. No credit card. Completely free.

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Setup Instructions

Step 1: Create Your Own Copy

1. Click the green "Use this template" button at the top of this page
2. Click "Create a new repository"
3. Give it a name and click "Create repository"

You now have your own copy to edit!

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Step 2: Add Your Code

2a. Copy your Python files

Upload or copy-paste your Python code into main.py

If you have other files your script needs (like .csv files or .txt templates), add those to the repository too.

2b. Make these two small changes to your code:

Change 1: Add this import at the top of your file:

import os

Change 2: Replace any hardcoded passwords/API keys with this pattern:

# BEFORE (don't do this - secrets visible to everyone!)
MY_EMAIL = "myemail@gmail.com"
MY_PASSWORD = "mysecretpassword"

# AFTER (secrets stored securely in GitHub)
MY_EMAIL = os.environ.get("MY_EMAIL")
MY_PASSWORD = os.environ.get("MY_PASSWORD")

2c. Add your dependencies

Open requirements.txt and list any packages your script needs:

# For example:
pandas
requests

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Step 3: Add Your Secrets

Never put passwords or API keys directly in your code!

GitHub Secrets keeps them safe and hidden.

1. Go to your repository on GitHub
2. Click Settings (top menu bar)
3. Click Secrets and variables (left sidebar)
4. Click Actions
5. Click "New repository secret"
6. Add each secret your script needs:

Name	Value
MY_EMAIL	your email address
MY_PASSWORD	your email password or app password

Gmail Users: You need an "App Password", not your regular password. Get one here: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords

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Step 4: Set Your Schedule

Edit the file .github/workflows/scheduled.yml

Find this line near the top:

- cron: "0 9 * * *"

Change the numbers to set your schedule:

         ┌─ minute (0-59)
         │  ┌─ hour (0-23) in UTC time
         │  │
    cron: '0 9 * * *'   means "run at 9:00 AM UTC every day"

Common schedules:

What you want	Cron to use
9:00 AM UTC	'0 9 * * *'
2:30 PM UTC	'30 14 * * *'
Midnight UTC	'0 0 * * *'
6:00 PM UTC	'0 18 * * *'

Convert your local time to UTC: https://time.is/UTC

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Step 5: Test Your Setup

1. Go to the Actions tab in your repository
2. Click "Test Setup" in the left sidebar
3. Click "Run workflow" → "Run workflow"

This checks that:

• Your secrets are configured
• All required files exist
• Your Python code has no syntax errors

If everything passes, you're ready to go!

Step 6: Run Your Script

Once the test passes, try running your actual script:

1. Go to the Actions tab
2. Click "Daily Script" in the left sidebar
3. Click "Run workflow" → "Run workflow"

Watch it run! Click on the job to see the output.

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Checking If Your Script Ran

1. Go to the Actions tab
2. You'll see a list of all runs with green (success) or red (failed)
3. Click on any run to see details
4. Click on "run" to expand and see your script's output

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Troubleshooting

"My script isn't running on schedule"

• GitHub schedules can be delayed by 5-15 minutes (this is normal)
• Your repository must have activity every 60 days, or GitHub pauses the schedule
• Fix: Make any small commit to re-enable it

"Error: No module named 'pandas'" (or other package)

• Add the missing package to requirements.txt
• Make sure spelling matches exactly (case-sensitive)

"My secrets aren't working"

• Secret names are case-sensitive: MY_EMAIL is different from my_email
• In your code, use the exact same name: os.environ.get("MY_EMAIL")
• In the workflow file, the secret must be passed to the script (already done in template)

"Email not sending"

• Gmail requires an App Password, not your regular password
• Check that "Less secure apps" is enabled (some providers)
• Check the Actions log for error messages

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Time Zone Reference

To run at 9:00 AM in your local time, use this hour in UTC:

Your Location	UTC Offset	Hour to use
London (GMT/BST)	+0 / +1	9 or 8
Paris, Berlin (CET)	+1	8
New York (EST/EDT)	-5 / -4	14 or 13
Chicago (CST/CDT)	-6 / -5	15 or 14
Denver (MST/MDT)	-7 / -6	16 or 15
Los Angeles (PST/PDT)	-8 / -7	17 or 16
Sydney (AEST/AEDT)	+10 / +11	23 or 22 (prev day)
Tokyo (JST)	+9	0 (midnight)
India (IST)	+5:30	3 (minute: 30)

Two values shown for locations with daylight saving time

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