Cron-driven multi-agent systems

Cron-driven multi-agent systems (MAS) are best implemented using a hybrid architecture that combines a durable work ledger with a directed acyclic graph (DAG) progression model Verified Answer #1. This design utilizes a blackboard-style artifact layer for shared data and limits hierarchical control to high-level policy or routing Verified Answer #1. In this model, the DAG serves as the control plane while the blackboard acts as the data plane Verified Answer #1. Agents within this system should be small and idempotent, treating the cron trigger as a clock to advance workflows rather than as a primary engine Verified Answer #1.

System Constraints

Cron-based execution environments impose four primary constraints on multi-agent design Verified Answer #1:

• There is no in-memory continuity between different runs Verified Answer #1.
• Execution is subject to strict deadlines and timeouts Verified Answer #1.
• Triggers may result in duplicate or overlapping execution runs Verified Answer #1.
• Progress recovery must rely entirely on durable state storage Verified Answer #1.

Operational Cycle

A cron-driven MAS functions as a tick-based distributed workflow system where every capability is reconstructible from storage Verified Answer #1. Each individual cron run follows a specific sequence of operations Verified Answer #1:

1. The system reads the current durable state Verified Answer #1.
2. It claims a limited set of runnable work items Verified Answer #1.
3. Agents execute bounded steps within the allotted time Verified Answer #1.
4. Outputs and status transitions are persisted atomically Verified Answer #1.
5. The process exits safely before the execution timeout is reached Verified Answer #1.