> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/jevil25/whatsapp-waha-dashboard/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message Scheduler Setup

> Deploy the message scheduler service on a VPS with PM2 for continuous operation

# Message Scheduler Setup

The message scheduler is a background service that automatically sends scheduled WhatsApp messages. It needs to run continuously on a server, separate from the Vercel-hosted frontend.

<Warning>
  **Important**: The scheduler must run 24/7 on a VPS. Vercel's serverless functions are not suitable for long-running background tasks. We recommend DigitalOcean, AWS EC2, or similar VPS providers.
</Warning>

## How the Scheduler Works

The scheduler service:

* Checks for pending messages **every 30 seconds**
* Automatically sends messages when scheduled time arrives
* Updates campaign status and tracking in real-time
* Handles errors with retry logic and detailed logging
* Runs independently from the web application

## DigitalOcean VPS Setup

### 1. Create a Droplet

<Card title="Get $200 in Credits" icon="gift" href="https://m.do.co/c/ddd03661770c">
  Use this referral link to get \$200 in DigitalOcean credits!
</Card>

**Recommended specifications:**

* **OS**: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (or latest LTS)
* **Plan**: Basic Droplet with 1GB RAM minimum
* **CPU**: 1 vCPU (sufficient for scheduler)
* **Storage**: 25GB SSD
* **Region**: Choose closest to your WAHA server

**Authentication:**

* For beginners: Use password authentication
* Recommended: Use SSH keys for better security

### 2. Initial Server Setup

Connect to your server and perform initial setup:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash SSH Connection theme={null}
  # Connect to your server
  ssh root@your-server-ip
  # Enter your password or use your SSH key
  ```

  ```bash System Update theme={null}
  # Update package lists and upgrade system
  apt update && apt upgrade -y
  ```

  ```bash Install Node.js theme={null}
  # Install Node.js 18.x (or later)
  curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash -
  apt-get install -y nodejs

  # Verify installation
  node --version
  npm --version
  ```

  ```bash Install pnpm theme={null}
  # Install pnpm package manager
  npm install -g pnpm

  # Verify installation
  pnpm --version
  ```

  ```bash Install PM2 theme={null}
  # Install PM2 for process management
  npm install -g pm2

  # Verify installation
  pm2 --version
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### 3. Deploy the Scheduler

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Clone Repository theme={null}
  # Clone your repository
  git clone https://github.com/yourusername/whatsapp-group-manager.git
  cd whatsapp-group-manager
  ```

  ```bash Install Dependencies theme={null}
  # Install project dependencies
  pnpm install
  ```

  ```bash Environment Configuration theme={null}
  # Create production environment file
  nano .env.production

  # Add the following variables:
  DATABASE_URL="mongodb+srv://username:password@cluster.mongodb.net/whatsapp-manager"
  WAHA_API_KEY="your-waha-api-key"
  WAHA_API_URL="http://your-waha-server:3000"

  # Save and exit (Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter)
  ```

  ```bash Generate Prisma Client theme={null}
  # Generate Prisma client for database access
  pnpm prisma:generate
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### 4. Start Scheduler with PM2

PM2 ensures the scheduler runs continuously and restarts automatically if it crashes.

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Start with PM2 theme={null}
  # Start the scheduler service
  pm2 start src/scripts/messageScheduler.ts \
    --interpreter ./node_modules/.bin/tsx \
    --name whatsapp-scheduler \
    --env production
  ```

  ```bash Save PM2 Configuration theme={null}
  # Save PM2 process list
  pm2 save

  # Configure PM2 to start on system boot
  pm2 startup
  # Follow the instructions output by this command
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Warning>
  **PM2 Startup**: After running `pm2 startup`, it will output a command that you need to copy and execute. This ensures PM2 starts automatically when the server reboots.
</Warning>

## PM2 Management Commands

### Monitor the Scheduler

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Check Status theme={null}
  # View all PM2 processes
  pm2 status

  # View detailed info for scheduler
  pm2 show whatsapp-scheduler
  ```

  ```bash View Logs theme={null}
  # View real-time logs
  pm2 logs whatsapp-scheduler

  # View last 100 lines
  pm2 logs whatsapp-scheduler --lines 100

  # View only error logs
  pm2 logs whatsapp-scheduler --err
  ```

  ```bash Monitor Resources theme={null}
  # Real-time monitoring dashboard
  pm2 monit

  # Press Ctrl+C to exit
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Control the Scheduler

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Restart theme={null}
  # Restart the scheduler
  pm2 restart whatsapp-scheduler

  # Restart with zero-downtime
  pm2 reload whatsapp-scheduler
  ```

  ```bash Stop and Start theme={null}
  # Stop the scheduler
  pm2 stop whatsapp-scheduler

  # Start the scheduler
  pm2 start whatsapp-scheduler
  ```

  ```bash Delete Process theme={null}
  # Remove from PM2 (stops and deletes)
  pm2 delete whatsapp-scheduler
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## PM2 Configuration File

For advanced configuration, create an `ecosystem.config.js` file:

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript ecosystem.config.js theme={null}
  module.exports = {
    apps: [{
      name: 'whatsapp-scheduler',
      script: 'src/scripts/messageScheduler.ts',
      interpreter: './node_modules/.bin/tsx',
      instances: 1,
      exec_mode: 'fork',
      env_production: {
        NODE_ENV: 'production',
        DATABASE_URL: process.env.DATABASE_URL,
        WAHA_API_KEY: process.env.WAHA_API_KEY,
        WAHA_API_URL: process.env.WAHA_API_URL,
      },
      error_file: './logs/scheduler-error.log',
      out_file: './logs/scheduler-out.log',
      log_date_format: 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss Z',
      max_memory_restart: '500M',
      autorestart: true,
      watch: false,
      max_restarts: 10,
      min_uptime: '10s',
    }]
  };
  ```

  ```bash Start with Config theme={null}
  # Start using ecosystem file
  pm2 start ecosystem.config.js --env production

  # Save configuration
  pm2 save
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Updating the Scheduler

When you need to deploy updates:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Pull Updates theme={null}
  # Navigate to project directory
  cd whatsapp-group-manager

  # Pull latest changes
  git pull origin main

  # Install any new dependencies
  pnpm install

  # Regenerate Prisma client if schema changed
  pnpm prisma:generate

  # Restart the scheduler
  pm2 restart whatsapp-scheduler
  ```

  ```bash Zero-Downtime Update theme={null}
  # For zero-downtime updates
  pm2 reload whatsapp-scheduler
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Troubleshooting

### Scheduler Not Starting

**Check logs:**

```bash theme={null}
pm2 logs whatsapp-scheduler --err --lines 50
```

**Common issues:**

* Missing environment variables
* Database connection failure
* Invalid Prisma client (run `pnpm prisma:generate`)
* Node.js version mismatch

### Database Connection Issues

```bash theme={null}
# Test database connection
pnpm prisma db push

# If successful, restart scheduler
pm2 restart whatsapp-scheduler
```

### High Memory Usage

```bash theme={null}
# Check current memory usage
pm2 monit

# Set memory limit in ecosystem.config.js
max_memory_restart: '500M'
```

### Scheduler Stopped After Reboot

```bash theme={null}
# Verify PM2 startup is configured
pm2 startup

# Save current process list
pm2 save

# Check if PM2 is running
systemctl status pm2-root
```

## Alternative VPS Providers

### AWS EC2

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash EC2 Setup theme={null}
  # Similar process on Amazon Linux 2
  sudo yum update -y
  sudo yum install -y nodejs npm
  npm install -g pnpm pm2

  # Follow same deployment steps
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Google Cloud Platform

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash GCP Compute Engine theme={null}
  # On Debian/Ubuntu image
  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  # Follow DigitalOcean steps above
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Linode

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Linode Setup theme={null}
  # On Ubuntu 22.04 image
  # Follow DigitalOcean steps above
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Security Best Practices

1. **Firewall Configuration**
   ```bash theme={null}
   # Enable UFW firewall
   ufw allow OpenSSH
   ufw enable
   ```

2. **Keep System Updated**
   ```bash theme={null}
   # Regular updates
   apt update && apt upgrade -y
   ```

3. **Use SSH Keys**
   * Disable password authentication
   * Use strong SSH key passphrases

4. **Environment Variables**
   * Never commit `.env.production` to git
   * Use strong, unique credentials

5. **Monitor Logs**
   ```bash theme={null}
   # Regularly check for errors
   pm2 logs whatsapp-scheduler --lines 100
   ```

## Performance Optimization

### Log Rotation

```bash theme={null}
# Install PM2 log rotate
pm2 install pm2-logrotate

# Configure retention (keep 7 days)
pm2 set pm2-logrotate:retain 7

# Configure max file size (10MB)
pm2 set pm2-logrotate:max_size 10M
```

### Resource Monitoring

```bash theme={null}
# Enable PM2 Plus for advanced monitoring (optional)
pm2 link [secret-key] [public-key]
```

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Environment Variables" icon="gear" href="/deployment/environment-variables">
    Review all configuration options
  </Card>

  <Card title="Vercel Deployment" icon="cloud" href="/deployment/vercel">
    Deploy the web application
  </Card>
</CardGroup>