---
title: "Define when IT Agent Discovery runs"
slug: "create-an-it-agent-discovery-action"
description: "Create a discovery action to define when IT Agent Discovery runs on your devices, set the schedule, and control how often agents scan your assets."
updated: 2026-07-08T13:18:19Z
published: 2026-06-19T18:05:18Z
canonical: "docs.lansweeper.com/create-an-it-agent-discovery-action"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lansweeper.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Define when IT Agent Discovery runs

To specify when the IT agent runs on your devices, you need to create a discovery action.

## Prerequisites

- An installed IT Agent for either [Windows](/docs/install-it-agent-windows), [Linux](/docs/install-it-agent-linux), or [Mac](/docs/install-it-agent-macos)

## Create a discovery action

1. In your site, go to **Discovery > Actions > Create action**.
2. Select **Agent-based> Add action**.
3. Enter a **Name** and an optional description.

### Add a trigger

This will determine when discovery will occur.

1. Select **Add a trigger**.
2. Select either:
  - **Instant** to run at a scheduled time on select days. Enter the name, time, and days you prefer.
  - **Recurring** to run at repeated hourly intervals. Enter a name and specify how often you want your discovery to run.
3. Select **Add trigger**.

### Assign groups

This will specify which agents your discovery action applies to. To learn more about IT Agent groups, see [Update IT Agent Discovery](/docs/update-it-agents).

1. Select the **Assign groups** tab.
2. Select one of multiple groups from the list.

### Create the action

Now that you’ve entered all the required information, select **Create action**.