Great question—scheduling MTurk HITs on a recurring basis (like every Friday morning) is totally doable, even without IFTTT or Zapier. Below are the most reliable, core-function-focused solutions:

1. Official MTurk API + AWS EventBridge (Most Reliable) #

This is the gold standard since it’s directly integrated with AWS, no third-party middlemen. Here’s how to set it up:

• Use the AWS SDK (e.g., Python’s boto3) to write a script that creates your HIT programmatically. A basic snippet might look like this:

  import boto3
  
  mturk = boto3.client('mturk', region_name='us-east-1') # MTurk's primary region
  
  # Define your HIT parameters
  hit_response = mturk.create_hit(
      Title='Your HIT Title',
      Description='Your HIT Description',
      Keywords='keyword1, keyword2',
      Reward='0.50', # In USD
      MaxAssignments=10,
      LifetimeInSeconds=86400, # 1 day
      AssignmentDurationInSeconds=300, # 5 minutes
      Question='<XML or HTML for your HIT task>' # Follow MTurk's question format
  )
  

• Schedule the script with AWS EventBridge: Create a rule that triggers a Lambda function (which runs your boto3 script) every Friday at your desired time. Set the cron expression to something like 0 9 * * 5 (adjust for your timezone—EventBridge uses UTC by default, so convert your local time accordingly).
• Permissions note: Make sure your Lambda execution role has the mturk:CreateHIT permission, and your MTurk account is linked to AWS correctly.

2. Third-Party MTurk Management Tools #

If you prefer a no-code approach, several paid tools built for MTurk offer built-in scheduling:

• CloudResearch: Formerly TurkPrime, this platform lets you schedule HITs to go live at specific times (including recurring weekly schedules) through its web interface. It handles all the API heavy lifting for you.
• MTurk Suite: A browser extension with advanced features—while it’s primarily for managing active HITs, it has scheduling capabilities for queuing and releasing HITs at set times.

3. Custom Script + Server-Side Scheduling #

If you want full control without AWS services, you can host your own script on a low-cost cloud server:

• Write your HIT creation script (using boto3 or another SDK) and upload it to a server (e.g., AWS EC2, DigitalOcean Droplet).
• Use cron (Linux/macOS) or Task Scheduler (Windows) to run the script on your desired schedule. For cron, the expression 0 9 * * 5 will run it every Friday at 9 AM server time—just ensure the server’s timezone matches your needs.
• Pro tip: Use a small, always-on server (like a t2.micro on AWS, which is eligible for the free tier) to avoid having to keep your local machine running.

4. Alternative Crowdsourcing Platforms with Built-In Scheduling #

If you’re open to moving beyond MTurk, these platforms have native scheduling features as core functionality:

• Clickworker: Lets you schedule tasks to go live at specific dates/times, including recurring weekly schedules. It has a global workforce and supports a variety of task types.
• Appen (formerly Figure Eight): Offers managed task scheduling for both small and large-scale projects, with options to set recurring launch times.

Key Notes #

• Always test your schedule with a small test HIT first to verify timing and task setup.
• Double-check timezones—most scheduling tools use UTC by default, so adjust accordingly to hit your Friday morning window.
• For MTurk, ensure you’re using the correct region (us-east-1 is the main one for most users) and have sufficient funds in your account to cover rewards.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者janjackson