Question

how do i call a python script from crontab that requires using activate (source env/bin/active)?

Answer 1

Virtualenv’s activate script is pretty simple. It mostly sets the path to your virtualenv’s Python interpreter; the other stuff that it does (setting PS1, saving old variables, etc.) aren’t really necessary if you’re not in an interactive shell. So the easiest way is just to launch your Python script with the correct Python interpreter, which can be done in one of two ways:

1. Set up your Python script to use your virtualenv’s Python interpreter

Assuming your virtualenv’s interpreter is at ~/virtualenv/bin/python, you can put that path at the top of your Python script:

#!/home/user/virtualenv/bin/python

And then launch your script from your crontab, as normal.

2. Launch the script with the proper Python interpreter in your cronjob

Assuming your script is at ~/bin/cronjob and your virtualenv’s Python interpreter is at ~/virtualenv/python, you could put this in your crontab:

* * * * * /home/user/virtualenv/python /home/user/bin/cronjob