---
title: "How do I test Cron functions locally using the CLI?"
url: https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/faq/cli/cli-cron-shell/
description: "You can execute your cron function locally by using the catalyst shell command in the CLI. You can pass a JSON variable as the input to the cron function. The …"
last_updated: 2026-11-13T05:00:22Z
service: All Services
type: faq
---

You can execute your [cron function](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/serverless/help/functions/cron-functions/) locally by using the [`catalyst shell`](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/working-with-functions/functions-shell/) command in the CLI. You can pass a JSON variable as the input to the cron function. The cron function will contain the variable context with all function details, even during local debugging.