Gonewatch
get emailed if a backup or cron never ran
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What is Gonewatch?
Gonewatch is a heartbeat monitoring service that alerts you when scheduled jobs (cron jobs, backups, GitHub Actions) stop firing. You POST to a unique URL when your job succeeds; if a heartbeat doesn't arrive within the expected window, Gonewatch sends alerts via email, Slack, Discord, Telegram, or GitHub Issues. It requires no agents or SDKs and optionally accepts JSON payloads for tracking metrics.
Gonewatch pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Free tier (3 monitors, email, Slack, Discord, Telegram); Basic and Pro plans for GitHub Issues, Linear, more capacity, and longer history. Exact pricing not shown in excerpt.
Gonewatch pros
- No agent or SDK required — works with simple curl commands, fitting any existing stack
- Multiple alert channels (Email, Slack, Discord, Telegram, GitHub Issues, Linear) with fast notifications (typically under 3 minutes)
- Optional JSON payload storage for charts and metrics (duration, size, counts) with last values and sparklines
- Free tier includes 3 monitors with email and chat alerts, no credit card required
Gonewatch cons
- Free tier limited to 3 monitors; GitHub Issues and Linear tickets only on paid plans
- JSON payloads only support top-level scalars — nested objects and arrays are dropped
- No log storage capability; limited to last values and charts
Frequently asked questions about Gonewatch
Do I need a credit card to start?
No. The Free plan includes monitors, email alerts, and status history with no credit card required. Upgrade from your dashboard when you need more capacity.
How do heartbeats work?
POST to your monitor's unique URL after your job succeeds. Gonewatch expects the next heartbeat on your schedule (fixed time of day or rolling interval) with a grace window after each expected window. No agent or SDK is required.
Can I send data with a heartbeat?
Yes. Include JSON with duration, counts, or other fields, and Gonewatch stores top-level scalars as last values, charts, and expandable history. Nested objects and oversized payloads are dropped, but the ping still counts.
How fast will I be alerted?
Within a few minutes after your grace period ends without a heartbeat — typically under three minutes. Gonewatch checks monitors continuously and sends alerts immediately when a monitor is marked Down.