A (scheduled) window is a time range in which deployments are allowed to a particular environment. Time range is defined using cron expressions. Deploy or Execution request when submitted will be scheduled to run during next available window and it will execute (provided no other approval is configured) when scheduled window is reached. Deploy or Execution request submitted with Start Time that falls outside of the window will require the approval of a configured approver. If current time is already in scheduled window, then deploy or execution request will not have to wait for next scheduled window.

Scheduled window can be created by Workflow Type, which allows for different scheduled window for Pre-deploy vs deploy executions.

Scheduled window only applies to deployments submitted for individual Projects, and does not apply to executions initiated by Release Pipeline.

A window is defined by a cron expression that resolves to any number of one-second durations. To create a 1-hour window, an expression like * * hour ? * * is used. To create a 1 second window, an expression like 0 0 hour ? * * is used. Projects will deploy at the next available window/second unless a delayed start is given. The following picture shows a window for the "Development Environment" that starts at 1pm every day and goes until 2pm. When a deploy is requested before 1pm, it would schedule for 1pm. If between 1pm and 2pm, it will run immediately. After 2, it will wait until the next day at 1. If exception to Window is selected, then the Approvers (Selected Groups) need to approve the deployment which will run either immediately, or at the scheduled time if one was given.

To add a window to a folder, open a folder.

Go to the Windows tab.

Click Override Windows.

Click Create.

Fill in the Environment that you want the window to apply to.

Select the workflow Type from dropdown menu.

Add a Cron Expression to the window.

Select Approval groups who must approve exceptions to this window.

Open

Click Save.

Creating a new Window

Select Projects from the menu.

To create a window, open a folder.

Click Manage Folder in the top right corner.

Go to the Windows tab.

Click Override Windows.

Click the Create button to create a new window.

Open

Select the Environment, Workflow Type, Active status, and a Cron Expression defining the open window. Cron expressions provide the ability to specify complex time combinations such as "From 3:00- 3:30 pm every Friday" or "At 1:30am every last Friday of the month". Cron expressions are comprised of 6 required fields and one optional field separated by white space.  The fields respectively are described as follows:

Examples

You can also select one of several example cron expressions from the drop-down.

Open

Select one or more Approval Groups from the dropdown who must approve deployments requested outside of the window. See Security chapter for details on creating and managing groups. Click the Save button to save.

Editing an existing Window

Select Projects from the menu.

Click on the existing Folder, and now click on the Windows tab.

Open

Click on a window Id to Edit the existing window.

Open

Optionally modify the Environment, Workflow Type, Cron Expression or approval Group(s). You may also activate or inactivate the window. Click the Save button to save any changes.