Automating Proxmox (PVE) Shutdown: A Simple Guide

Proxmox VE (PVE) does not offer a dedicated graphical user interface (GUI) tool specifically designed for scheduling shutdowns directly within its web interface, like a built-in “Shutdown Scheduler” with a point-and-click setup. However, you can achieve a GUI-based shutdown or schedule shutdowns (e.g., via cron) using existing features and tools in PVE, or by integrating external solutions.

Let’s break this down:

Manual Shutdown via PVE Web Interface

Proxmox VE allows for a manual shutdown directly from its web GUI. Simply log in (e.g., https://your-pve-ip:8006), navigate to the node (your server’s hostname), and click the Shutdown button in the top-right corner. This will gracefully stop all VMs and containers (if properly configured) before shutting down the host. This is a one-time action and not a scheduled process.

No Built-In GUI Scheduler for Shutdown

As of March 10, 2025 (Proxmox VE 8.x), the web interface does not include a built-in shutdown scheduler. There’s no GUI option like a cronjob editor or a “scheduled shutdown” button. Instead, automation requires command-line tools or external solutions.

Scheduling Shutdown with Cron via CLI

Since Proxmox VE lacks a built-in shutdown scheduler, you can automate shutdowns using cron, with an optional GUI tool for easier management.

1. Using Cron for Automatic Shutdown

To schedule a daily shutdown at 23:00 (11:00PM), add the following line to the root user’s crontab:

sudo crontab -e

Then add:

0 23 * * * /sbin/shutdown -h now

This will gracefully shut down the Proxmox node and all running VMs at 11:00 PM.

Optional: Managing Cron Jobs with a GUI

If you prefer a graphical approach, you can use Webmin or a similar tool to manage cron jobs visually. Webmin provides an easy way to schedule and modify tasks without using the command line.

Setting Up VM Shutdown & Startup Order

Proxmox allows you to define the shutdown and startup sequence for VMs to ensure a controlled process. You can configure this under:

Datacenter → Node → VM → Options → Start/Shutdown Order

Here, you can set:

• Start/Shutdown Delay: Define how long Proxmox should wait before shutting down or starting the VM.
• Order Priority: Lower numbers start first and shut down last.

This helps ensure that critical VMs shut down gracefully before the node powers off.

Summary

• Manual Shutdown: Use the Shutdown button in the web GUI for a one-time shutdown.
• No Built-In Scheduler: Proxmox VE does not have a native GUI scheduler for automated shutdowns.
• Automate with Cron: Schedule shutdowns via crontab, or manage them visually with Webmin.
• VM Start/Shutdown Order: Configure in VM Options for controlled boot and shutdown sequences.