Define custom Dagster AutomationCondition logic to combine cron scheduling with eager upstream propagation
domain: docs.dagster.io · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Set an asset's automation_condition to AutomationCondition.eager() to auto-materialize it whenever any of its upstream dependencies update.
Alternatively use AutomationCondition.on_cron(<schedule>) to materialize an asset once per schedule tick, after all upstream dependencies have updated.
Compose custom conditions using the AutomationCondition builder API to, for example, run on a fixed cadence OR whenever a dependency updates, while excluding runs where a dependency is missing or still in progress.
Attach the composed condition to the asset definition and ensure the automation sensor/daemon that evaluates automation conditions is enabled in your deployment.
Observe the asset's materialization history in the Dagster UI to confirm the condition triggers runs at the expected cadence and reacts correctly to upstream freshness.
Known gotchas
Declarative Automation (AutomationCondition) is the successor to the older auto-materialize policies; mixing both systems on the same asset graph can produce confusing or duplicate run behavior.
Composed conditions evaluate against the full upstream dependency state on every tick; a frequently-changing upstream can trigger far more materializations than intended if the condition isn't scoped carefully.
The automation sensor/daemon must be running for AutomationConditions to take effect; defining the condition on an asset alone does not schedule anything.
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