Windows: runner not running

FAQ · Windows. Check the Cardinal runner Scheduled Task, start it, and test the connection.

On Windows the runner is a Scheduled Task called "Cardinal runner", for your user only. It starts when you log on, runs hidden with no window, and restarts every minute if it stops. It doesn't run while you are logged off or the computer is asleep; queued jobs wait and run afterwards.

Is the task there and running?

Open Task Scheduler and look for "Cardinal runner" in the Task Scheduler Library. Or in PowerShell:

Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName 'Cardinal runner'

To start it now:

Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName 'Cardinal runner'

If the task isn't there, run a fresh install line from the Setup page. It registers the task again.

Test the connection

node "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Cardinal\cardinal-runner.mjs" check

This prints the config file, your Cardinal address, where claude is and its version, then "Connected to Cardinal." Messages you may see:

The token was refused: make a new install line on the Setup page and run it.
The workspace's subscription has lapsed: the workspace owner needs to renew.
claude not found: install Claude Code, run claude once to sign in, then run a new install line. The installer prefers claude.exe in %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin; an npm install also works.
A warning that claude isn't signed in with a Claude subscription: run claude auth login.

Only one runner

The task never starts a second copy, and a second runner on the same computer exits on its own. That is expected.

Then

Wait a minute and press "Test my setup" on the Setup page. The Runner line shows when your runner last checked in.