---
name: "tech-durable-object-alarms-not-cron"
title: "Durable Object alarms are not Worker cron triggers"
description: "DO alarm() can schedule work without consuming the account-wide Worker cron cap"
type: "tech"
category: "cloudflare"
tags: ["tech", "cloudflare", "workers", "durable-objects", "cron"]
related: ["[[tech-cloudflare-cron-triggers-five-per-account]]", "[[tech-workflows-binding-schedules]]"]
sources: ["https://developers.cloudflare.com/durable-objects/api/alarms/"]
---
Cloudflare Durable Object `alarm()` wakes a DO at a chosen time. Alarms are **not** Worker `[triggers] crons` and do **not** count toward the account-wide 5-cron cap ([[tech-cloudflare-cron-triggers-five-per-account]]).

Workflow binding `schedules` are a different product and paid-only ([[tech-workflows-binding-schedules]]). On a Free plan, a DO alarm (or an external GitHub Actions POST) can start periodic work without a sixth Worker cron or a paid Workflow schedule.

Docs: [Durable Object Alarms](https://developers.cloudflare.com/durable-objects/api/alarms/).