Action Scheduler in TSJ Subscriptions

Introduction

Action Scheduler is a powerful WordPress library for managing scheduled tasks and background processing. It’s particularly useful for handling asynchronous operations in the TSJ Subscriptions plugin, such as processing entitlements, managing duplicate detection, and handling subscription updates.

Key Features

1. Asynchronous Processing

  • Handles long-running tasks in the background
  • Prevents timeouts during heavy processing
  • Improves user experience by not blocking the main thread

2. Scheduled Tasks

  • Supports one-time and recurring tasks
  • Flexible scheduling options
  • Reliable execution timing

3. Batch Processing

  • Processes large datasets in manageable chunks
  • Prevents server overload
  • Maintains system stability

Implementation in TSJ Subscriptions

Common Use Cases

  1. Entitlement Processing
    • Asynchronous redemption handling
    • Batch processing of entitlements
    • Scheduled gift notifications
  2. Duplicate Detection
    • Background scanning of subscriptions
    • Batch processing of address comparisons
    • Scheduled duplicate checks
  3. Subscription Management
    • Status updates
    • Renewal processing
    • Payment verification

Code Examples 

// Schedule a one-time action
as_schedule_single_action(
    time() + 3600, // Run in 1 hour
    'tsj_process_entitlements',
    array( 'subscription_id' => 123 )
);

// Schedule a recurring action
as_schedule_recurring_action(
    time(),
    86400, // Run daily
    'tsj_check_duplicates',
    array( 'batch_size' => 50 )
);

Best Practices

1. Task Design

  • Keep tasks focused and atomic
  • Implement proper error handling
  • Include logging for debugging
  • Set appropriate priorities

2. Resource Management

  • Use appropriate batch sizes
  • Monitor task execution times
  • Implement rate limiting when needed
  • Clean up completed tasks

3. Error Handling

  • Implement proper error logging
  • Set up retry mechanisms
  • Handle edge cases gracefully
  • Monitor failed tasks

Monitoring and Maintenance

1. Task Monitoring

  • Track task execution times
  • Monitor success/failure rates
  • Watch for stuck tasks
  • Review task logs

2. System Health

  • Monitor queue sizes
  • Check for task backlogs
  • Review system resources
  • Optimize scheduling

Official Documentation

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Tasks not executing
  2. High resource usage
  3. Task backlogs
  4. Failed actions

Solutions

  1. Check cron configuration
  2. Review task priorities
  3. Monitor system resources
  4. Implement proper error handling

Future Considerations

Scalability

  • Monitor task execution times
  • Adjust batch sizes as needed
  • Implement rate limiting
  • Consider distributed processing

Performance

  • Optimize task scheduling
  • Implement caching where appropriate
  • Monitor system resources
  • Regular maintenance