>

List systemd Timers (the cron Replacement)

systemctl list-timers shows every scheduled timer unit with its last and next run times, which many users forget replaces cron on modern distros.

LinuxcronsystemdtimersMedium risk
Run `systemctl list-timers --all` to see all timers with their next and last activation times.

01Command

Command
$ systemctl list-timers --all

02What it does

Timers power scheduled jobs like logrotate, updatedb, and fstrim on modern distros — jobs people assume are 'cron' but aren't. The NEXT/LAST columns answer 'did that job actually run?'; a stale LAST time means the timer was missed or the unit failed. Investigate a specific timer with `systemctl status <name>.timer` and view its log with `journalctl -u <name>.service`.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
Requirementssystemd-based distribution

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • systemd/Timers - ArchWiki
    ArchWiki · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: ArchWiki documents that timers are a cron replacement and shows inspecting them with systemctl list-timers.
  • systemctl(1) - Linux manual page
    Ubuntu Manpages · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: systemctl list-timers lists timer units ordered by the time they elapse next, showing when each unit was last activated.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

06Related solutions

Set the Timezone with timedatectl
Linuxtimedatectltimezonesystemd

timedatectl lists, sets, and verifies the system timezone and NTP sync status on systemd distributions.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-17
Change the Hostname with hostnamectl
Linuxhostnamesystemdhostnamectl

hostnamectl sets the static, transient, and pretty hostname in one step on systemd distros, no reboot required.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-17
View and Override Unit Files with systemctl cat/edit
Linuxservicessystemdconfig

systemctl cat reveals a service's unit file plus every drop-in override; systemctl edit creates overrides without touching vendor files.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-17