diff --git a/backend/models.py b/backend/models.py
index 50f552d..407d99c 100644
--- a/backend/models.py
+++ b/backend/models.py
@@ -363,13 +363,14 @@ class Alert(Base):
     - device_offline: Device became unreachable
     - device_online: Device came back online
     - schedule_failed: Scheduled action failed to execute
+    - schedule_completed: Scheduled action completed successfully
     """
     __tablename__ = "alerts"
 
     id = Column(String, primary_key=True, index=True)  # UUID
 
     # Alert classification
-    alert_type = Column(String, nullable=False)  # "device_offline" | "device_online" | "schedule_failed"
+    alert_type = Column(String, nullable=False)  # "device_offline" | "device_online" | "schedule_failed" | "schedule_completed"
     severity = Column(String, default="warning")  # "info" | "warning" | "critical"
 
     # Related entities (nullable - may not all apply)
diff --git a/backend/routers/projects.py b/backend/routers/projects.py
index 2ef5f7e..162283f 100644
--- a/backend/routers/projects.py
+++ b/backend/routers/projects.py
@@ -482,6 +482,83 @@ async def get_project_schedules(
     })
 
 
+@router.post("/{project_id}/schedules/{schedule_id}/execute")
+async def execute_scheduled_action(
+    project_id: str,
+    schedule_id: str,
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+):
+    """
+    Manually execute a scheduled action now.
+    """
+    from backend.services.scheduler import get_scheduler
+
+    action = db.query(ScheduledAction).filter_by(
+        id=schedule_id,
+        project_id=project_id,
+    ).first()
+
+    if not action:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Action not found")
+
+    if action.execution_status != "pending":
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail=f"Action is not pending (status: {action.execution_status})",
+        )
+
+    # Execute via scheduler service
+    scheduler = get_scheduler()
+    result = await scheduler.execute_action_by_id(schedule_id)
+
+    # Refresh from DB to get updated status
+    db.refresh(action)
+
+    return JSONResponse({
+        "success": result.get("success", False),
+        "message": f"Action executed: {action.action_type}",
+        "result": result,
+        "action": {
+            "id": action.id,
+            "execution_status": action.execution_status,
+            "executed_at": action.executed_at.isoformat() if action.executed_at else None,
+            "error_message": action.error_message,
+        },
+    })
+
+
+@router.post("/{project_id}/schedules/{schedule_id}/cancel")
+async def cancel_scheduled_action(
+    project_id: str,
+    schedule_id: str,
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+):
+    """
+    Cancel a pending scheduled action.
+    """
+    action = db.query(ScheduledAction).filter_by(
+        id=schedule_id,
+        project_id=project_id,
+    ).first()
+
+    if not action:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Action not found")
+
+    if action.execution_status != "pending":
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail=f"Can only cancel pending actions (status: {action.execution_status})",
+        )
+
+    action.execution_status = "cancelled"
+    db.commit()
+
+    return JSONResponse({
+        "success": True,
+        "message": "Action cancelled successfully",
+    })
+
+
 @router.get("/{project_id}/sessions", response_class=HTMLResponse)
 async def get_project_sessions(
     project_id: str,
diff --git a/backend/services/alert_service.py b/backend/services/alert_service.py
index e460799..f10ffd1 100644
--- a/backend/services/alert_service.py
+++ b/backend/services/alert_service.py
@@ -221,6 +221,61 @@ class AlertService:
             expires_hours=24,
         )
 
+    def create_schedule_completed_alert(
+        self,
+        schedule_id: str,
+        action_type: str,
+        unit_id: str = None,
+        project_id: str = None,
+        location_id: str = None,
+        metadata: dict = None,
+    ) -> Alert:
+        """
+        Create alert when a scheduled action completes successfully.
+
+        Args:
+            schedule_id: The ScheduledAction ID
+            action_type: start, stop, download
+            unit_id: Related unit
+            project_id: Related project
+            location_id: Related location
+            metadata: Additional info (e.g., downloaded folder, index numbers)
+
+        Returns:
+            Created Alert
+        """
+        # Build descriptive message based on action type and metadata
+        if action_type == "stop" and metadata:
+            download_folder = metadata.get("downloaded_folder")
+            download_success = metadata.get("download_success", False)
+            if download_success and download_folder:
+                message = f"Measurement stopped and data downloaded ({download_folder})"
+            elif download_success is False and metadata.get("download_attempted"):
+                message = "Measurement stopped but download failed"
+            else:
+                message = "Measurement stopped successfully"
+        elif action_type == "start" and metadata:
+            new_index = metadata.get("new_index")
+            if new_index is not None:
+                message = f"Measurement started (index {new_index:04d})"
+            else:
+                message = "Measurement started successfully"
+        else:
+            message = f"Scheduled {action_type} completed successfully"
+
+        return self.create_alert(
+            alert_type="schedule_completed",
+            title=f"Scheduled {action_type} completed",
+            message=message,
+            severity="info",
+            unit_id=unit_id,
+            project_id=project_id,
+            location_id=location_id,
+            schedule_id=schedule_id,
+            metadata={"action_type": action_type, **(metadata or {})},
+            expires_hours=12,  # Info alerts expire quickly
+        )
+
     def get_active_alerts(
         self,
         project_id: str = None,
diff --git a/backend/services/device_controller.py b/backend/services/device_controller.py
index 2024ba6..82ae6fb 100644
--- a/backend/services/device_controller.py
+++ b/backend/services/device_controller.py
@@ -403,6 +403,87 @@ class DeviceController:
         else:
             raise UnsupportedDeviceTypeError(f"Unsupported device type: {device_type}")
 
+    # ========================================================================
+    # Cycle Commands (for scheduled automation)
+    # ========================================================================
+
+    async def start_cycle(
+        self,
+        unit_id: str,
+        device_type: str,
+        sync_clock: bool = True,
+    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """
+        Execute complete start cycle for scheduled automation.
+
+        This handles the full pre-recording workflow:
+        1. Sync device clock to server time
+        2. Find next safe index (with overwrite protection)
+        3. Start measurement
+
+        Args:
+            unit_id: Unit identifier
+            device_type: "slm" | "seismograph"
+            sync_clock: Whether to sync device clock to server time
+
+        Returns:
+            Response dict from device module
+        """
+        if device_type == "slm":
+            try:
+                return await self.slmm_client.start_cycle(unit_id, sync_clock)
+            except SLMMClientError as e:
+                raise DeviceControllerError(f"SLMM error: {str(e)}")
+
+        elif device_type == "seismograph":
+            return {
+                "status": "not_implemented",
+                "message": "Seismograph start cycle not yet implemented",
+                "unit_id": unit_id,
+            }
+
+        else:
+            raise UnsupportedDeviceTypeError(f"Unsupported device type: {device_type}")
+
+    async def stop_cycle(
+        self,
+        unit_id: str,
+        device_type: str,
+        download: bool = True,
+    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """
+        Execute complete stop cycle for scheduled automation.
+
+        This handles the full post-recording workflow:
+        1. Stop measurement
+        2. Enable FTP
+        3. Download measurement folder
+        4. Verify download
+
+        Args:
+            unit_id: Unit identifier
+            device_type: "slm" | "seismograph"
+            download: Whether to download measurement data
+
+        Returns:
+            Response dict from device module
+        """
+        if device_type == "slm":
+            try:
+                return await self.slmm_client.stop_cycle(unit_id, download)
+            except SLMMClientError as e:
+                raise DeviceControllerError(f"SLMM error: {str(e)}")
+
+        elif device_type == "seismograph":
+            return {
+                "status": "not_implemented",
+                "message": "Seismograph stop cycle not yet implemented",
+                "unit_id": unit_id,
+            }
+
+        else:
+            raise UnsupportedDeviceTypeError(f"Unsupported device type: {device_type}")
+
     # ========================================================================
     # Health Check
     # ========================================================================
diff --git a/backend/services/scheduler.py b/backend/services/scheduler.py
index d0852bd..866ec64 100644
--- a/backend/services/scheduler.py
+++ b/backend/services/scheduler.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import and_
 from backend.database import SessionLocal
 from backend.models import ScheduledAction, RecordingSession, MonitoringLocation, Project, RecurringSchedule
 from backend.services.device_controller import get_device_controller, DeviceControllerError
+from backend.services.alert_service import get_alert_service
 import uuid
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -197,6 +198,21 @@ class SchedulerService:
 
             print(f"✓ Action {action.id} completed successfully")
 
+            # Create success alert
+            try:
+                alert_service = get_alert_service(db)
+                alert_metadata = response.get("cycle_response", {}) if isinstance(response, dict) else {}
+                alert_service.create_schedule_completed_alert(
+                    schedule_id=action.id,
+                    action_type=action.action_type,
+                    unit_id=unit_id,
+                    project_id=action.project_id,
+                    location_id=action.location_id,
+                    metadata=alert_metadata,
+                )
+            except Exception as alert_err:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to create success alert: {alert_err}")
+
         except Exception as e:
             # Mark action as failed
             action.execution_status = "failed"
@@ -207,6 +223,20 @@ class SchedulerService:
 
             print(f"✗ Action {action.id} failed: {e}")
 
+            # Create failure alert
+            try:
+                alert_service = get_alert_service(db)
+                alert_service.create_schedule_failed_alert(
+                    schedule_id=action.id,
+                    action_type=action.action_type,
+                    unit_id=unit_id if 'unit_id' in dir() else action.unit_id,
+                    error_message=str(e),
+                    project_id=action.project_id,
+                    location_id=action.location_id,
+                )
+            except Exception as alert_err:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to create failure alert: {alert_err}")
+
         return result
 
     async def _execute_start(
@@ -215,35 +245,19 @@ class SchedulerService:
         unit_id: str,
         db: Session,
     ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-        """Execute a 'start' action."""
-        # Parse action notes for automation settings
-        auto_increment_index = False
-        try:
-            if action.notes:
-                notes_data = json.loads(action.notes)
-                auto_increment_index = notes_data.get("auto_increment_index", False)
-        except json.JSONDecodeError:
-            pass  # Notes is plain text, not JSON
+        """Execute a 'start' action using the start_cycle command.
 
-        # If auto_increment_index is enabled, increment the store index before starting
-        increment_response = None
-        if auto_increment_index and action.device_type == "slm":
-            try:
-                logger.info(f"Auto-incrementing store index for unit {unit_id}")
-                increment_response = await self.device_controller.increment_index(
-                    unit_id,
-                    action.device_type,
-                )
-                logger.info(f"Index incremented: {increment_response}")
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.warning(f"Failed to increment index for {unit_id}: {e}")
-                # Continue with start anyway - don't fail the whole action
-
-        # Start recording via device controller
-        response = await self.device_controller.start_recording(
+        start_cycle handles:
+        1. Sync device clock to server time
+        2. Find next safe index (with overwrite protection)
+        3. Start measurement
+        """
+        # Execute the full start cycle via device controller
+        # SLMM handles clock sync, index increment, and start
+        cycle_response = await self.device_controller.start_cycle(
             unit_id,
             action.device_type,
-            config={},
+            sync_clock=True,
         )
 
         # Create recording session
@@ -257,8 +271,7 @@ class SchedulerService:
             status="recording",
             session_metadata=json.dumps({
                 "scheduled_action_id": action.id,
-                "auto_increment_index": auto_increment_index,
-                "increment_response": increment_response,
+                "cycle_response": cycle_response,
             }),
         )
         db.add(session)
@@ -266,9 +279,7 @@ class SchedulerService:
         return {
             "status": "started",
             "session_id": session.id,
-            "device_response": response,
-            "index_incremented": auto_increment_index,
-            "increment_response": increment_response,
+            "cycle_response": cycle_response,
         }
 
     async def _execute_stop(
@@ -277,11 +288,29 @@ class SchedulerService:
         unit_id: str,
         db: Session,
     ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-        """Execute a 'stop' action."""
-        # Stop recording via device controller
-        response = await self.device_controller.stop_recording(
+        """Execute a 'stop' action using the stop_cycle command.
+
+        stop_cycle handles:
+        1. Stop measurement
+        2. Enable FTP
+        3. Download measurement folder
+        4. Verify download
+        """
+        # Parse notes for download preference
+        include_download = True
+        try:
+            if action.notes:
+                notes_data = json.loads(action.notes)
+                include_download = notes_data.get("include_download", True)
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            pass  # Notes is plain text, not JSON
+
+        # Execute the full stop cycle via device controller
+        # SLMM handles stop, FTP enable, and download
+        cycle_response = await self.device_controller.stop_cycle(
             unit_id,
             action.device_type,
+            download=include_download,
         )
 
         # Find and update the active recording session
@@ -299,11 +328,20 @@ class SchedulerService:
             active_session.duration_seconds = int(
                 (active_session.stopped_at - active_session.started_at).total_seconds()
             )
+            # Store download info in session metadata
+            if cycle_response.get("download_success"):
+                try:
+                    metadata = json.loads(active_session.session_metadata or "{}")
+                    metadata["downloaded_folder"] = cycle_response.get("downloaded_folder")
+                    metadata["local_path"] = cycle_response.get("local_path")
+                    active_session.session_metadata = json.dumps(metadata)
+                except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                    pass
 
         return {
             "status": "stopped",
             "session_id": active_session.id if active_session else None,
-            "device_response": response,
+            "cycle_response": cycle_response,
         }
 
     async def _execute_download(
diff --git a/backend/services/slmm_client.py b/backend/services/slmm_client.py
index ce3c5d5..a242c12 100644
--- a/backend/services/slmm_client.py
+++ b/backend/services/slmm_client.py
@@ -9,13 +9,14 @@ that handles TCP/FTP communication with Rion NL-43/NL-53 devices.
 """
 
 import httpx
+import os
 from typing import Optional, Dict, Any, List
 from datetime import datetime
 import json
 
 
-# SLMM backend base URLs
-SLMM_BASE_URL = "http://localhost:8100"
+# SLMM backend base URLs - use environment variable if set (for Docker)
+SLMM_BASE_URL = os.environ.get("SLMM_BASE_URL", "http://localhost:8100")
 SLMM_API_BASE = f"{SLMM_BASE_URL}/api/nl43"
 
 
@@ -505,6 +506,68 @@ class SLMMClient:
         }
         return await self._request("POST", f"/{unit_id}/ftp/download", data=data)
 
+    # ========================================================================
+    # Cycle Commands (for scheduled automation)
+    # ========================================================================
+
+    async def start_cycle(
+        self,
+        unit_id: str,
+        sync_clock: bool = True,
+    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """
+        Execute complete start cycle on device via SLMM.
+
+        This handles the full pre-recording workflow:
+        1. Sync device clock to server time
+        2. Find next safe index (with overwrite protection)
+        3. Start measurement
+
+        Args:
+            unit_id: Unit identifier
+            sync_clock: Whether to sync device clock to server time
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict with clock_synced, old_index, new_index, started, etc.
+        """
+        return await self._request(
+            "POST",
+            f"/{unit_id}/start-cycle",
+            data={"sync_clock": sync_clock},
+        )
+
+    async def stop_cycle(
+        self,
+        unit_id: str,
+        download: bool = True,
+        download_path: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """
+        Execute complete stop cycle on device via SLMM.
+
+        This handles the full post-recording workflow:
+        1. Stop measurement
+        2. Enable FTP
+        3. Download measurement folder (if download=True)
+        4. Verify download
+
+        Args:
+            unit_id: Unit identifier
+            download: Whether to download measurement data
+            download_path: Custom path for downloaded ZIP (optional)
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict with stopped, ftp_enabled, download_success, local_path, etc.
+        """
+        data = {"download": download}
+        if download_path:
+            data["download_path"] = download_path
+        return await self._request(
+            "POST",
+            f"/{unit_id}/stop-cycle",
+            data=data,
+        )
+
     # ========================================================================
     # Polling Status (for device monitoring/alerts)
     # ========================================================================
diff --git a/templates/partials/projects/schedule_list.html b/templates/partials/projects/schedule_list.html
index 5054d6e..3ea9f67 100644
--- a/templates/partials/projects/schedule_list.html
+++ b/templates/partials/projects/schedule_list.html
@@ -71,6 +71,13 @@
                         <span class="ml-1 text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300">{{ item.schedule.result_message }}</span>
                     </div>
                     {% endif %}
+
+                    {% if item.schedule.error_message %}
+                    <div class="mt-2 p-2 bg-red-50 dark:bg-red-900/20 rounded text-xs">
+                        <span class="text-red-600 dark:text-red-400 font-medium">Error:</span>
+                        <span class="ml-1 text-red-700 dark:text-red-300">{{ item.schedule.error_message }}</span>
+                    </div>
+                    {% endif %}
                 </div>
 
                 <div class="flex items-center gap-2">