🕐 Automatic Draw Setup Guide

📋 Overview: To run draws automatically every 2 days at 10:00 AM IST, you need to set up a cron job that calls the draw script.

Method 1: Server Cron Job (Recommended)

Step 1: Access your server's crontab

crontab -e

Step 2: Add this line to run the draw script every day at 10:00 AM IST

0 10 * * * /usr/bin/php /path/to/your/website/draw.php >/dev/null 2>&1

            📝 Note: Replace /path/to/your/website/ with the actual path to your website files. The script will automatically check if it's time for a draw before executing.
        

Step 3: Save the crontab file and verify it's active

crontab -l

Method 2: Web-based Cron (Alternative)

Step 1: Use a web-based cron service like:

cron-job.org - Free web cron service
EasyCron - Free tier available
SetCronJob - Free web cron

Step 2: Set up the cron job to call this URL every day at 10:00 AM IST:

https://yourdomain.com/draw.php

Step 3: Set the schedule to: 0 10 * * * (daily at 10:00 AM)

Method 3: cPanel Cron Jobs

Step 1: Login to your cPanel

Step 2: Go to "Cron Jobs" under "Advanced" section

Step 3: Create a new cron job with these settings:

Minute: 0
Hour: 10
Day: *
Month: *
Weekday: *
Command: /usr/bin/php /home/yourusername/public_html/draw.php

🔧 Alternative: Manual Trigger Script

If you can't set up cron jobs, you can create a script that checks and runs draws when someone visits your website:

<?php
// Add this to your index.php or any frequently visited page
require_once 'config.php';
require_once 'draw.php';

if (isDrawTime()) {
    // Run draw in background (you might want to use exec() or similar)
    $result = conductDraw();
    // Optionally log the result
}
?>

📊 Testing Your Setup

Test the draw script directly:

php draw.php

Or visit: https://yourdomain.com/draw.php?force=1

Check cron job logs:

grep CRON /var/log/syslog

⚠️ Important Notes

Timezone: Make sure your server timezone is set to IST (Asia/Kolkata)
PHP Path: Verify the correct PHP path with which php
File Permissions: Ensure draw.php has execute permissions
Database Access: Verify database credentials are correct

🎯 Draw Logic

How it works:

The cron job runs daily at 10:00 AM IST
The script checks if it's time for a draw (every 2 days)
If a draw is due, it selects 10 random winners
Results are stored in the database
Next draw is scheduled for 2 days later

📞 Need Help?

If you're having trouble setting up the cron job:

Contact your hosting provider's support
Check your hosting control panel documentation
Use the manual trigger method as a fallback

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