As a joke, created a cult - and just in time (8)
I believe the answer is:
punctual
'in time' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'as a joke created a cult and' is the wordplay.
'as a joke' becomes 'pu' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'created' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'creates' mean this).
'and' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and').
'a'+'cult'+'n'='acultn'
'acultn' is an anagram of 'nctual'.
'pu'+'nctual'='PUNCTUAL'
'just' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for punctual that I've seen before include "Happening at the agreed time" , "Exactly on time" , "Arriving on time" , "Always on time for appointments" , "Bang on time" .)