> For the complete user guide index, see [llms.txt](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/llms.txt).

# Manage scheduled tasks and credits

[Canonical page](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/scheduled-research/manage-tasks/)

## Applicability

- **Task:** Distinguish draft, active, paused, and deleted tasks and understand their credit commitments.
- **Access:** Access to the task and applicable usage controls
- **Audience:** Portrait users and support teams
- **Surfaces:** web
- **Availability:** Account-dependent; see requirements and limits
- **Content type:** reference
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-08

Open the task in **Scheduled Research** to inspect its saved configuration and run history before changing it.

## Task states

| State | Future runs | Credit commitment |
|---|---|---|
| **Draft** | Not scheduled to run | Has not booked a commitment |
| **Active** | Runs on its schedule or trigger, subject to execution and access checks | Booked when enabled; retained |
| **Paused** | Future scheduled runs stop | Retained; pausing does not release the reservation |
| **Pending** | A one-off waits for its chosen start | Credits reserved for that occurrence |
| **Completed** | A one-off has started its occurrence; check the run separately | The occurrence's usage remains; rescheduling reserves a new run |
| **Deleted** | No future runs; the task leaves the list and cannot be restored | Ends the commitment; previous usage and run history remain |

Pause when you intend to resume the same task. Delete it when you intend to end its ongoing commitment: choose **Delete** in the task's row menu, or **Delete scheduled research** on the task page. Deletion cannot be undone. The task leaves the list, but its past runs stay readable from their Inbox entries and email links, and Easel can find them on request; a deleted task opened from a link shows the state **Deleted**. Ending a future reservation does not erase usage already incurred. **Settings → Usage** shows the account's applicable balance and reservations.

Deleting a task and losing its standing account connection are different. After a lost connection, the list says scheduled research is paused and offers **Restart scheduled research**; reconnecting does not restore a deleted task.

## Edit and verify

1. Read the current saved instruction, cadence, timezone, and **Email me** choice.
2. Make the intended change and save it.
3. Reopen the saved configuration and verify its values, status, and next scheduled time.

Open **Scheduled settings** on the task page to change supported timing, delivery, or research instructions. For **Around earnings**, the timing control edits days before or after, time, timezone, and whether estimated dates are allowed. The company control changes a fixed list or selects a Project's current companies. Changing timing moves the next run date; verify it after saving.

Use the list's **Project** column or the task's applicable Project/company control to organize it. A Project assignment alone does not make a calendar task follow the Project's company list: name that scope in its instruction. For earnings and document-event tasks, choosing Project coverage follows its current companies; switching to a fixed list stops following later membership changes. Switch to a fixed list before removing that Project. More than 25 companies blocks activation; an empty or unavailable Project requires attention. Check the displayed scope rather than assuming it is still the list from creation. The task's Inbox entries follow its Project assignment.

If the task changed while you were editing, refresh it, compare the current configuration with your intended change, and reapply only the necessary edits. Do not overwrite a newer configuration blindly. Use a different name if the task name is already taken.

## Run now and stop future work

**Run now** creates a manual occurrence rather than changing the recurring cadence; it is unavailable for one-offs. If a run is already active, inspect it; repeated clicks do not resolve the conflict. Pausing or deleting a task stops future runs and requests cancellation of in-progress work. Cancellation is asynchronous: check the run's final state, and retain any usage already incurred. Resuming starts from the current schedule without replaying missed occurrences.

## Troubleshoot usage

If credits remain reserved after pausing, that is expected. To end future commitment, delete the task after reviewing its consequences, then inspect Usage. A missing email or a silent successful run is not evidence that no usage occurred. See [Notifications and troubleshooting](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/scheduled-research/notifications-and-troubleshooting/) before starting duplicate work.