Mini Blog ⚡ Manifest of Time – Part 2: `at` – When One Moment Is Enough

[toni]

Manifest of Time – Part 2: `at` – When One Moment Is Enough​

---

"Not every task deserves a cycle. Some commands appear only once – and change everything."
– The pulse of a singular moment

`crontab` rules the rhythm. But sometimes…
you need silence.
A precise, one-time strike in time.
That’s when the `at` command speaks.

What is `at`?​

`at` lets you schedule a command to run once, at a specific time.
It is a ritual with no repetition.
A whisper cast into the future.

How to use it​

at [hour] [date]

Once you enter the command, `at` opens a subshell where you type what you want to execute.
Press ENTER, then finish with Ctrl+D to save.

Examples with depth:​

1. Shut down the machine at 23:00​

at 23:00
shutdown -h now

"Even the machine needs rest. Give it at the right time."

---

2. Send yourself a reminder at 18:45 today​

at 18:45
notify-send "Drink water. Don’t be a coding cactus."

"Sometimes the most vital command is a reminder to yourself."

---

3. Run a script tomorrow at 08:00​

at 08:00 tomorrow
bash /home/user/scripts/prepare.sh

"The future begins with a line written today."

---

4. Delete a file in 10 minutes​

at now + 10 minutes
rm /home/user/tmp/suspicious.log

"Not all traces must remain. Some deserve to fade."

---

View pending scheduled jobs​

atq

Remove a pending job (e.g., number 3)​

atrm 3

Final Thought​

`at` is not for every day.
It is for moments where the choice is singular.

When you want to send a message to the future –
just once.
Precisely.
Without echo.

Terminal Signature​

---

┌──[@iflux@timecaster] 
│ trace: [pulse delivered] 
└─> echo "Not every task needs a cycle. Some only need courage to be timed once."