Task scheduler batch file not executing R script with renv

Question

Created a simple project using Rstudio and included renv. It simply creates txt file in project directory.

created batch file:

CALL "C:\Program Files\R\R-4.3.2\bin\Rscript.exe" -e "renv::load('C:/Users/username/R/ProjectFolder'); source('C:/Users/username/R/Test1/Test1.R')"> "C:/Users/username/R/Test1/Output.log" 2>&1   
exit

If I double click on batch file - works fine.

But if I use task scheduler to run batch file it gives me an error:

Error in loadNamespace(x) : there is no package called 'renv'
Calls: loadNamespace -> withRestarts -> withOneRestart -> doWithOneRestart
Execution halted

Seems like it does not activate renv.

Task scheduler snip:

It sounds like the task scheduler is not starting R in the project directory. It's the .Rprofile file (I believe) that sets up the environment so that renv is found. Do you have a way in task-scheduler to set the working directory to that proj dir? — r2evans
– r2evans, Commented Feb 7, 2024 at 22:18
I dont think I ever set working directory in task scheduler. Snip attached. So is any way i can do it in .Rprofile file? — Serdia
– Serdia, Commented Feb 7, 2024 at 22:58
this is the only line of code my .Rprofile file has: source("renv/activate.R") — Serdia
– Serdia, Commented Feb 7, 2024 at 23:00
Yes, and that file is not run if the Task Scheduler does not use that project directory as its working directory. serverfault.com/q/609651/316496 is relevant, pointing out that it is clearly not automatically what you want it to be. I suggest you start your batch script with something like CD "C:\Users\username\R\ProjectFolder" (and then the CALL ... on the next line). — r2evans
– r2evans, Commented Feb 7, 2024 at 23:32

r2evans · Accepted Answer · 2024-02-09 14:31:50Z

3

renv functionality requires that the R process start in the project directory, calling Rscript -e /some/path/to/file.R does not accomplish that. In Task Scheduler, per https://serverfault.com/q/609651/316496, jobs tend to start in %Windir%\System32\, not your project directory.

Modify your script so that it first changes to the appropriate directory and then calls Rscript, perhaps

CD C:\Users\username\R\ProjectFolder
CALL "C:\Program Files\R\R-4.3.2\bin\Rscript.exe" -e "renv::load('C:/Users/username/R/ProjectFolder'); source('C:/Users/username/R/Test1/Test1.R')"> "C:/Users/username/R/Test1/Output.log" 2>&1   
exit

(I'm not certain if R\ProjectFolder\ or R\Test1\ is the project with .Rprofile and renv's stuff, adjust as appropriate.

answered Feb 9, 2024 at 14:31

r2evans

167k8 gold badges92 silver badges176 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Task scheduler batch file not executing R script with renv

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related