Configure Custom Task timing

Custom Task settings control when Essential creates internal recurring-service tasks. They are independent from the customer-facing Automated Outreach sequence.

Where to find it: Settings -> Automations -> Custom Tasks tab

1. Use the Active / Paused switch to resume or freeze Custom Task creation without changing the schedule.
2. Set Days before due to choose the lead time from each recurring service's due date.
3. Choose Relative to due date to use that lead time directly. Turn on the weekday option to count the lead time in business days and skip weekends.
4. Choose Fixed day of month to snap the calculated task date to the nearest occurrence of a selected calendar day. Turn on the weekday option to move a fixed date that lands on a weekend to the next weekday.
5. Under Folder terminology, set the name used for this recurring-service folder in the Tasks sidebar and Task Statuses settings.
6. Click Save changes. Recalculating existing recurring services may take a few minutes.

Automated Outreach and Custom Tasks have separate Active / Paused switches. Pausing one does not pause the other.

While a new business's setup review is pending, Custom Tasks stay paused. Users with Edit Automations, including the default Back Office Admin role, can turn the switch on and click Save changes to complete the review for Custom Tasks and activate task creation. Activating Custom Tasks leaves Automated Outreach unchanged.

When activating or resuming automation, wait for Save changes to finish. Essential recalculates the schedule before activation takes effect. If saving fails, automation stays paused and your edits remain available to retry. If someone changed the status while your page was open, reload before changing it.

Related guides

• Configure the automated outreach sequence
• Set the confirmation email for automated outreach