Ethereum Alarm Clock

Ethereum Alarm Clock (EAC) is a decentralized smart contract protocol designed to schedule Ethereum transactions for execution at a specified future time. It enables any Ethereum address—whether a user or another smart contract—to define transaction parameters and schedule them to be executed later. This capability is embedded entirely on-chain, allowing developers to integrate time-based transaction scheduling directly into their decentralized applications (dapps) or smart contracts. The protocol is particularly useful for automating delayed or recurring actions without relying on centralized servers or manual triggers.

The core mechanism involves TimeNodes, specialized executors that monitor the blockchain for scheduled transactions approaching their execution window. TimeNodes claim these transactions and execute them on behalf of the original scheduler, earning bounties as incentives. This decentralized execution model ensures reliability and trustlessness, as the scheduling and execution logic is governed by smart contracts. Developers can interact with EAC through Solidity contracts or via a command-line interface (CLI) client, facilitating integration into various workflows.

EAC differentiates itself by providing a fully on-chain, permissionless scheduling system that supports both human and contract callers. Unlike off-chain schedulers or centralized cron services, EAC leverages Ethereum's security guarantees and incentivizes decentralized execution through its TimeNode network. The project is open source, with active development and comprehensive documentation available. It supports multiple Ethereum networks, with deployment addresses maintained in its GitHub repository. Developers can get started by reviewing the documentation, deploying contracts on their target network, and optionally running a TimeNode to participate in transaction execution and earn rewards.