runchain

Manage and execute chains of scripts.

Runchain allows you to group scripts into named chains, schedule them with cron, and run them in a predictable order. Perfect for backup scripts and maintenance tasks.

• Group scripts into ordered chains
• Schedule chains with crondir integration
• Simple Python API and CLI interface

Usage

Install runchain:

pip install runchain

Create a backup chain by adding scripts:

runchain add backup ~/scripts/database-backup.sh 10
runchain add backup /usr/local/bin/file-backup.py 20-files
runchain add backup ./30-cleanup.sh

List your chains:

runchain list

List scripts in a specific chain:

runchain list backup

Run a chain manually:

runchain run backup

Schedule a chain with crondir:

runchain cron backup "0 2 * * *"

Remove a script or entire chain:

runchain remove backup 20-files
runchain remove backup

Or you may find it easier to skip the install step and run it using uv:

uvx runchain add backup ~/scripts/backup.sh 10
uvx runchain cron backup "0 2 * * *"
uvx runchain run backup

By default, runchain stores chains in ~/.runchain/, with each chain in its own subdirectory.

For full command line options, see command documentation

Example

For an example of setting up a backup chain, see How to create a backup chain in the documentation.

Python API

from runchain import Chain, list_chains

# List all chains
chains = list_chains()

# Work with a specific chain
backup = Chain("backup")
backup.add("~/scripts/database.sh", "10")
backup.cron("0 2 * * *")
backup.run()

See the API documentation for more details.