# Monitor cron jobs with HookPulse check-ins

Add one curl to the crontab line. HookPulse alerts you when the job stops running or ends with an error.

HookPulse · Updated 2026-10-14

## Step 1. Create the monitor

Add a routine named nightly-backup and set how often the job runs. Its page shows the check-in URL: use it in place of https://hookpulse.net/in/YOUR_ID.

## Step 2. Add the check-in to the crontab

Run crontab -e and end the job line with the curl. $? sends the exit status: 0 is a success, any other value is a failure.

```sh
# m h dom mon dow  command
0 3 * * * /usr/local/bin/backup.sh; curl -fsS -m 10 --retry 3 "https://hookpulse.net/in/YOUR_ID/$?"
```

## Step 3. Run it once

Run the job line once in a shell. The routine shows the first check-in. From then on, a missed or failed run sends the alert.

[Create the monitor](https://hookpulse.net/?routine=nightly-backup&every=86400#routines)

[Monitor cron jobs with HookPulse check-ins](https://hookpulse.net/guides/cron)