# Cron expressions explained (/utils--cron-explain)

/utils--cron-explain is a Claude Code skill in the Code section. Turns a schedule description into a cron expression, or explains an existing one in plain English, with the next 5 run times and common pitfalls.

- Web version: https://skills.sgomez.dev/en/s/utils--cron-explain
- Section: [Code](https://skills.sgomez.dev/en/code.md)
- Author: Santiago Gómez de la Torre
- License: MIT
- Source: https://github.com/sgomez-dev/claude-skills/blob/main/skills/utils/cron-explain.md
- Updated 26 Mar 2026

## How to ask for it

- `/utils--cron-explain what does this cron expression mean?`
- `/utils--cron-explain generate a cron that runs every Monday at 9am`
- `/utils--cron-explain tell me when this scheduled job will next run`

## Install

macOS · Linux:

```
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sgomez-dev/claude-skills/main/install.sh | bash
```

Windows:

```
irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sgomez-dev/claude-skills/main/install.ps1 | iex
```

Claude Code plugin:

```
/plugin marketplace add sgomez-dev/claude-skills
/plugin install utility-skills@claude-skills-collection
```

## Permissions

- Reads: —
- Writes: —
- Runs: —
- Network: No
- Destructive: No

## Author's description

Generate and explain cron expressions with next run times

- [How we review this](https://skills.sgomez.dev/en/methodology.md)