workflow
Creates durable, resumable workflows using Vercel's Workflow SDK. Use when building workflows that need to survive restarts, pause for external events, retry on failure, or coordinate multi-step operations over time. Triggers on mentions of "workflow", "durable functions", "resumable", "workflow sdk", "queue", "event", "push", "subscribe", or step-based orchestration.
Best use case
workflow is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Creates durable, resumable workflows using Vercel's Workflow SDK. Use when building workflows that need to survive restarts, pause for external events, retry on failure, or coordinate multi-step operations over time. Triggers on mentions of "workflow", "durable functions", "resumable", "workflow sdk", "queue", "event", "push", "subscribe", or step-based orchestration.
Teams using workflow should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/workflow/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How workflow Compares
| Feature / Agent | workflow | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Creates durable, resumable workflows using Vercel's Workflow SDK. Use when building workflows that need to survive restarts, pause for external events, retry on failure, or coordinate multi-step operations over time. Triggers on mentions of "workflow", "durable functions", "resumable", "workflow sdk", "queue", "event", "push", "subscribe", or step-based orchestration.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
Related Guides
Best AI Skills for Claude
Explore the best AI skills for Claude and Claude Code across coding, research, workflow automation, documentation, and agent operations.
ChatGPT vs Claude for Agent Skills
Compare ChatGPT and Claude for AI agent skills across coding, writing, research, and reusable workflow execution.
SKILL.md Source
## *CRITICAL*: Always Use Correct `workflow` Documentation
Your knowledge of `workflow` is outdated.
The `workflow` documentation outlined below matches the installed version of the Workflow SDK.
Follow these instructions before starting on any `workflow`-related tasks:
Search the bundled documentation in `node_modules/workflow/docs/`:
1. **Find docs**: `glob "node_modules/workflow/docs/**/*.mdx"`
2. **Search content**: `grep "your query" node_modules/workflow/docs/`
Documentation structure in `node_modules/workflow/docs/`:
- `getting-started/` - Framework setup (next.mdx, express.mdx, hono.mdx, etc.)
- `foundations/` - Core concepts (workflows-and-steps.mdx, hooks.mdx, streaming.mdx, etc.)
- `api-reference/workflow/` - API docs (sleep.mdx, create-hook.mdx, fatal-error.mdx, etc.)
- `api-reference/workflow-api/` - Client API (start.mdx, get-run.mdx, resume-hook.mdx, etc.)
- `api-reference/workflow-api/world/` - World SDK (runs.mdx, steps.mdx, hooks.mdx, events.mdx, streams.mdx, queue.mdx, observability.mdx)
- `ai/` - AI SDK integration docs
- `errors/` - Error code documentation
Related packages also include bundled docs:
- `@workflow/ai`: `node_modules/@workflow/ai/docs/` - DurableAgent and AI integration
- `@workflow/core`: `node_modules/@workflow/core/docs/` - Core runtime (foundations, how-it-works)
- `@workflow/next`: `node_modules/@workflow/next/docs/` - Next.js integration
**When in doubt, update to the latest version of the Workflow SDK.**
### Official Resources
- **Website**: https://workflow-sdk.dev
- **GitHub**: https://github.com/vercel/workflow
### Quick Reference
**Directives:**
```typescript
"use workflow"; // First line - makes async function durable
"use step"; // First line - makes function a cached, retryable unit
```
**Essential imports:**
```typescript
// Workflow primitives
import { sleep, fetch, createHook, createWebhook, getWritable } from "workflow";
import { FatalError, RetryableError } from "workflow";
import { getWorkflowMetadata, getStepMetadata } from "workflow";
// API operations
import { start, getRun, resumeHook, resumeWebhook } from "workflow/api";
// Observability & data hydration
import { hydrateResourceIO, observabilityRevivers, parseStepName, parseWorkflowName } from "workflow/observability";
// Framework integrations
import { withWorkflow } from "workflow/next";
import { workflow } from "workflow/vite";
import { workflow } from "workflow/astro";
// Or use modules: ["workflow/nitro"] for Nitro/Nuxt
// AI agent
import { DurableAgent } from "@workflow/ai/agent";
```
## Prefer Step Functions to Avoid Sandbox Errors
`"use workflow"` functions run in a sandboxed VM. `"use step"` functions have **full Node.js access**. Put your logic in steps and use the workflow function purely for orchestration.
```typescript
// Steps have full Node.js and npm access
async function fetchUserData(userId: string) {
"use step";
const response = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/users/${userId}`);
return response.json();
}
async function processWithAI(data: any) {
"use step";
// AI SDK works in steps without workarounds
return await generateText({
model: openai("gpt-4"),
prompt: `Process: ${JSON.stringify(data)}`,
});
}
// Workflow orchestrates steps - no sandbox issues
export async function dataProcessingWorkflow(userId: string) {
"use workflow";
const data = await fetchUserData(userId);
const processed = await processWithAI(data);
return { success: true, processed };
}
```
**Benefits:** Steps have automatic retry, results are persisted for replay, and no sandbox restrictions.
## Workflow Sandbox Limitations
When you need logic directly in a workflow function (not in a step), these restrictions apply:
| Limitation | Workaround |
|------------|------------|
| No `fetch()` | `import { fetch } from "workflow"` then `globalThis.fetch = fetch` |
| No `setTimeout`/`setInterval` | Use `sleep("5s")` from `"workflow"` |
| No Node.js modules (fs, crypto, etc.) | Move to a step function |
**Example - Using fetch in workflow context:**
```typescript
import { fetch } from "workflow";
export async function myWorkflow() {
"use workflow";
globalThis.fetch = fetch; // Required for AI SDK and HTTP libraries
// Now generateText() and other libraries work
}
```
**Note:** `DurableAgent` from `@workflow/ai` handles the fetch assignment automatically.
## DurableAgent — AI Agents in Workflows
Use `DurableAgent` to build AI agents that maintain state and survive interruptions. It handles the workflow sandbox automatically (no manual `globalThis.fetch` needed).
```typescript
import { DurableAgent } from "@workflow/ai/agent";
import { getWritable } from "workflow";
import { z } from "zod";
import type { UIMessageChunk } from "ai";
async function lookupData({ query }: { query: string }) {
"use step";
// Step functions have full Node.js access
return `Results for "${query}"`;
}
export async function myAgentWorkflow(userMessage: string) {
"use workflow";
const agent = new DurableAgent({
model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
system: "You are a helpful assistant.",
tools: {
lookupData: {
description: "Search for information",
inputSchema: z.object({ query: z.string() }),
execute: lookupData,
},
},
});
const result = await agent.stream({
messages: [{ role: "user", content: userMessage }],
writable: getWritable<UIMessageChunk>(),
maxSteps: 10,
});
return result.messages;
}
```
**Key points:**
- `getWritable<UIMessageChunk>()` streams output to the workflow run's default stream
- Tool `execute` functions that need Node.js/npm access should use `"use step"`
- Tool `execute` functions that use workflow primitives (`sleep()`, `createHook()`) should **NOT** use `"use step"` — they run at the workflow level
- `maxSteps` limits the number of LLM calls (default is unlimited)
- Multi-turn: pass `result.messages` plus new user messages to subsequent `agent.stream()` calls
**For more details on `DurableAgent`, check the AI docs in `node_modules/@workflow/ai/docs/`.**
## Starting Workflows & Child Workflows
Use `start()` to launch workflows from API routes. **`start()` cannot be called directly in workflow context** — wrap it in a step function.
```typescript
import { start } from "workflow/api";
// From an API route — works directly
export async function POST() {
const run = await start(myWorkflow, [arg1, arg2]);
return Response.json({ runId: run.runId });
}
// No-args workflow
const run = await start(noArgWorkflow);
```
**Starting child workflows from inside a workflow — must use a step:**
```typescript
import { start } from "workflow/api";
// Wrap start() in a step function
async function triggerChild(data: string) {
"use step";
const run = await start(childWorkflow, [data]);
return run.runId;
}
export async function parentWorkflow() {
"use workflow";
const childRunId = await triggerChild("some data"); // Fire-and-forget via step
await sleep("1h");
}
```
`start()` returns immediately — it doesn't wait for the workflow to complete. Use `run.returnValue` to await completion.
## Hooks — Pause & Resume with External Events
Hooks let workflows wait for external data. Use `createHook()` inside a workflow and `resumeHook()` from API routes. Deterministic tokens are for `createHook()` + `resumeHook()` (server-side) only. `createWebhook()` always generates random tokens — do not pass a `token` option to `createWebhook()`.
### Single event
```typescript
import { createHook } from "workflow";
export async function approvalWorkflow() {
"use workflow";
const hook = createHook<{ approved: boolean }>({
token: "approval-123", // deterministic token for external systems
});
const result = await hook; // Workflow suspends here
return result.approved;
}
```
### Multiple events (iterable hooks)
Hooks implement `AsyncIterable` — use `for await...of` to receive multiple events:
```typescript
import { createHook } from "workflow";
export async function chatWorkflow(channelId: string) {
"use workflow";
const hook = createHook<{ text: string; done?: boolean }>({
token: `chat-${channelId}`,
});
for await (const event of hook) {
await processMessage(event.text);
if (event.done) break;
}
}
```
Each `resumeHook(token, payload)` call delivers the next value to the loop.
### Resuming from API routes
```typescript
import { resumeHook } from "workflow/api";
export async function POST(req: Request) {
const { token, data } = await req.json();
await resumeHook(token, data);
return new Response("ok");
}
```
## Error Handling
Use `FatalError` for permanent failures (no retry), `RetryableError` for transient failures:
```typescript
import { FatalError, RetryableError } from "workflow";
if (res.status >= 400 && res.status < 500) {
throw new FatalError(`Client error: ${res.status}`);
}
if (res.status === 429) {
throw new RetryableError("Rate limited", { retryAfter: "5m" });
}
```
## Serialization
All data passed to/from workflows and steps must be serializable.
**Supported built-in types:** string, number, boolean, null, undefined, bigint, plain objects, arrays, Date, RegExp, URL, URLSearchParams, Map, Set, Headers, ArrayBuffer, typed arrays, Request, Response, ReadableStream, WritableStream.
**Not supported:** Functions, Symbols, WeakMap/WeakSet. Pass data, not callbacks.
### Custom Class Serialization
Class instances **can** be serialized across workflow/step boundaries by implementing the `@workflow/serde` protocol. This is essential when a class has instance methods with `"use step"` or when you want to pass class instances between steps.
**Install:** `@workflow/serde` must be a dependency of the package containing the class.
**Pattern:** Add two static methods inside the class body using computed property syntax:
```typescript
import { WORKFLOW_SERIALIZE, WORKFLOW_DESERIALIZE } from "@workflow/serde";
export class Point {
x: number;
y: number;
constructor(x: number, y: number) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
}
// Serialize: return plain data (must be devalue-compatible types only)
static [WORKFLOW_SERIALIZE](instance: Point) {
return { x: instance.x, y: instance.y };
}
// Deserialize: reconstruct from plain data
static [WORKFLOW_DESERIALIZE](data: { x: number; y: number }) {
return new Point(data.x, data.y);
}
async computeDistance(other: Point) {
"use step";
return Math.sqrt((this.x - other.x) ** 2 + (this.y - other.y) ** 2);
}
}
```
**Critical rules:**
1. **Define serde methods INSIDE the class body** as static methods with computed property syntax (`static [WORKFLOW_SERIALIZE](...)`). The SWC plugin detects them by scanning the class. Do NOT assign them externally (e.g., `(MyClass as any)[WORKFLOW_SERIALIZE] = ...`) -- the compiler will not detect this.
2. **Serde methods must return only devalue-compatible types** (plain objects, arrays, primitives, Date, Map, Set, Uint8Array, etc.). No functions, no class instances, no Node.js-specific objects.
3. **Add `"use step"` to Node.js-dependent instance methods.** The SWC plugin strips `"use step"` method bodies from the workflow bundle. This is how you keep Node.js imports (fs, crypto, child_process, etc.) out of the workflow sandbox. The class shell with its serde methods remains in the workflow bundle; only the step method bodies are removed.
4. **Do NOT manually register classes.** The SWC plugin automatically generates registration code (an IIFE that sets `classId` and adds the class to the global registry). Manual calls to `registerSerializationClass()` are unnecessary and error-prone.
5. **Do NOT use dynamic imports to work around sandbox restrictions.** If a class method needs Node.js APIs, the correct solution is `"use step"`, not `/* @vite-ignore */ import(...)`.
**When serde works well:** Pure data classes, domain models, configuration objects, and classes where Node.js-dependent methods can be marked with `"use step"`.
**When to avoid serde:** If a class is fundamentally inseparable from Node.js APIs (every method needs `fs`, `net`, etc.) and cannot meaningfully exist as a shell in the workflow sandbox, keep it entirely in step functions and pass plain data objects across boundaries instead.
### Validating Serde Compliance
Use these tools to verify classes are correctly set up:
- **`workflow transform <file> --check-serde`** -- Shows the SWC transform output for a file and checks if serde classes are compliant (no Node.js imports remaining in the workflow bundle).
- **`workflow validate`** -- Scans all workflow files and reports serde compliance issues. Use `--json` for machine-readable output.
- **SWC Playground** -- The web playground at `workbench/swc-playground` shows a Serde Analysis panel when serde patterns are detected.
- **Build-time warnings** -- The builder automatically warns when serde classes have Node.js built-in imports remaining in the workflow bundle.
## Streaming
Use `getWritable()` to stream data from workflows. `getWritable()` can be called in **both** workflow and step contexts, but you **cannot interact with the stream** (call `getWriter()`, `write()`, `close()`) directly in a workflow function. The stream must be passed to step functions for actual I/O, or steps can call `getWritable()` themselves.
**Get the stream in a workflow, pass it to a step:**
```typescript
import { getWritable } from "workflow";
export async function myWorkflow() {
"use workflow";
const writable = getWritable();
await writeData(writable, "hello world");
}
async function writeData(writable: WritableStream, chunk: string) {
"use step";
const writer = writable.getWriter();
try {
await writer.write(chunk);
} finally {
writer.releaseLock();
}
}
```
**Call `getWritable()` directly inside a step (no need to pass it):**
```typescript
import { getWritable } from "workflow";
async function streamData(chunk: string) {
"use step";
const writer = getWritable().getWriter();
try {
await writer.write(chunk);
} finally {
writer.releaseLock();
}
}
```
### Namespaced Streams
Use `getWritable({ namespace: 'name' })` to create multiple independent streams for different types of data. This is useful for separating logs from primary output, different log levels, agent outputs, metrics, or any distinct data channels. Long-running workflows benefit from namespaced streams because you can replay only the important events (e.g., final results) while keeping verbose logs in a separate stream.
**Example: Log levels and agent output separation:**
```typescript
import { getWritable } from "workflow";
type LogEntry = { level: "debug" | "info" | "warn" | "error"; message: string; timestamp: number };
type AgentOutput = { type: "thought" | "action" | "result"; content: string };
async function logDebug(message: string) {
"use step";
const writer = getWritable<LogEntry>({ namespace: "logs:debug" }).getWriter();
try {
await writer.write({ level: "debug", message, timestamp: Date.now() });
} finally {
writer.releaseLock();
}
}
async function logInfo(message: string) {
"use step";
const writer = getWritable<LogEntry>({ namespace: "logs:info" }).getWriter();
try {
await writer.write({ level: "info", message, timestamp: Date.now() });
} finally {
writer.releaseLock();
}
}
async function emitAgentThought(thought: string) {
"use step";
const writer = getWritable<AgentOutput>({ namespace: "agent:thoughts" }).getWriter();
try {
await writer.write({ type: "thought", content: thought });
} finally {
writer.releaseLock();
}
}
async function emitAgentResult(result: string) {
"use step";
// Important results go to the default stream for easy replay
const writer = getWritable<AgentOutput>().getWriter();
try {
await writer.write({ type: "result", content: result });
} finally {
writer.releaseLock();
}
}
export async function agentWorkflow(task: string) {
"use workflow";
await logInfo(`Starting task: ${task}`);
await logDebug("Initializing agent context");
await emitAgentThought("Analyzing the task requirements...");
// ... agent processing ...
await emitAgentResult("Task completed successfully");
await logInfo("Workflow finished");
}
```
**Consuming namespaced streams:**
```typescript
import { start, getRun } from "workflow/api";
import { agentWorkflow } from "./workflows/agent";
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const run = await start(agentWorkflow, ["process data"]);
// Access specific streams by namespace
const results = run.getReadable({ namespace: undefined }); // Default stream (important results)
const infoLogs = run.getReadable({ namespace: "logs:info" });
const debugLogs = run.getReadable({ namespace: "logs:debug" });
const thoughts = run.getReadable({ namespace: "agent:thoughts" });
// Return only important results for most clients
return new Response(results, { headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" } });
}
// Resume from a specific point (useful for long sessions)
export async function GET(request: Request) {
const { searchParams } = new URL(request.url);
const runId = searchParams.get("runId")!;
const startIndex = parseInt(searchParams.get("startIndex") || "0", 10);
const run = getRun(runId);
// Resume only the important stream, skip verbose debug logs
const stream = run.getReadable({ startIndex });
return new Response(stream);
}
```
**Pro tip:** For very long-running sessions (50+ minutes), namespaced streams help manage replay performance. Put verbose/debug output in separate namespaces so you can replay just the important events quickly.
## Debugging
```bash
# Check workflow endpoints are reachable
npx workflow health
npx workflow health --port 3001 # Non-default port
# Visual dashboard for runs
npx workflow web
npx workflow web <run_id>
# CLI inspection (use --json for machine-readable output, --help for full usage)
npx workflow inspect runs
npx workflow inspect run <run_id>
# For Vercel-deployed projects, specify backend and project
npx workflow inspect runs --backend vercel --project <project-name> --team <team-slug>
npx workflow inspect run <run_id> --backend vercel --project <project-name> --team <team-slug>
# Open Vercel dashboard in browser for a specific run
npx workflow inspect run <run_id> --web
npx workflow web <run_id> --backend vercel --project <project-name> --team <team-slug>
# Cancel a running workflow
npx workflow cancel <run_id>
npx workflow cancel <run_id> --backend vercel --project <project-name> --team <team-slug>
# --env defaults to "production"; use --env preview for preview deployments
```
**Debugging tips:**
- Use `--json` (`-j`) on any command for machine-readable output
- Use `--web` to open the Vercel Observability dashboard in your browser
- Use `--help` on any command for full usage details
- Only import workflow APIs you actually use. Unused imports can cause 500 errors.
## Testing Workflows
Workflow SDK provides a Vitest plugin for testing workflows in-process — no running server required.
**Unit testing steps:** Steps are just functions; without the compiler, `"use step"` is a no-op. Test them directly:
```typescript
import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
import { createUser } from "./user-signup";
describe("createUser step", () => {
it("should create a user", async () => {
const user = await createUser("test@example.com");
expect(user.email).toBe("test@example.com");
});
});
```
**Integration testing:** Use `@workflow/vitest` for workflows using `sleep()`, hooks, webhooks, or retries:
```typescript
// vitest.integration.config.ts
import { defineConfig } from "vitest/config";
import { workflow } from "@workflow/vitest";
export default defineConfig({
plugins: [workflow()],
test: {
include: ["**/*.integration.test.ts"],
testTimeout: 60_000,
},
});
```
```typescript
// approval.integration.test.ts
import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
import { start, getRun, resumeHook } from "workflow/api";
import { waitForHook, waitForSleep } from "@workflow/vitest";
import { approvalWorkflow } from "./approval";
describe("approvalWorkflow", () => {
it("should publish when approved", async () => {
const run = await start(approvalWorkflow, ["doc-123"]);
// Wait for the hook, then resume it
await waitForHook(run, { token: "approval:doc-123" });
await resumeHook("approval:doc-123", { approved: true, reviewer: "alice" });
// Wait for sleep, then wake it up
const sleepId = await waitForSleep(run);
await getRun(run.runId).wakeUp({ correlationIds: [sleepId] });
const result = await run.returnValue;
expect(result).toEqual({ status: "published", reviewer: "alice" });
});
});
```
**Testing webhooks:** Use `resumeWebhook()` with a `Request` object — no HTTP server needed:
```typescript
import { start, resumeWebhook } from "workflow/api";
import { waitForHook } from "@workflow/vitest";
const run = await start(ingestWorkflow, ["ep-1"]);
const hook = await waitForHook(run); // Discovers the random webhook token
await resumeWebhook(hook.token, new Request("https://example.com/webhook", {
method: "POST",
body: JSON.stringify({ event: "order.created" }),
}));
```
**Key APIs:**
- `start()` — trigger a workflow
- `run.returnValue` — await workflow completion
- `waitForHook(run, { token? })` / `waitForSleep(run)` — wait for workflow to reach a pause point
- `resumeHook(token, data)` / `resumeWebhook(token, request)` — resume paused workflows
- `getRun(runId).wakeUp({ correlationIds })` — skip `sleep()` calls
**Best practices:**
- Keep unit tests (no plugin) and integration tests (`workflow()` plugin) in separate configs
- Use deterministic hook tokens based on test data for easier resumption
- Set generous `testTimeout` — workflows may run longer than typical unit tests
- `vi.mock()` does **not** work in integration tests — step dependencies are bundled by esbuild
## Observability & World SDK
Use `await getWorld()` to build observability dashboards, admin panels, and inspect workflow state. `getWorld()` is asynchronous and returns `Promise<World>` (dynamic import / env-based setup).
**Key imports:**
```typescript
import { getWorld } from "workflow/runtime";
import { hydrateResourceIO, observabilityRevivers, parseStepName, parseWorkflowName } from "workflow/observability";
```
**Key docs** (grep `node_modules/workflow/docs/` for full details):
- `api-reference/workflow-api/world/storage.mdx` — events, runs, steps, hooks (events are source of truth; others are materialized views)
- `api-reference/workflow-api/world/observability.mdx` — hydration, parsing, encryption
### World SDK Method Signatures
⚠️ Pagination is nested: `{ pagination: { cursor } }` — NOT `{ cursor }` directly.
```typescript
const world = await getWorld();
// Runs
const { data, cursor } = await world.runs.list({ pagination: { cursor }, resolveData: 'all' | 'none' });
const run = await world.runs.get(runId, { resolveData: 'all' | 'none' });
// Cancel via event creation (no cancel() method on runs)
await world.events.create(runId, { eventType: 'run_cancelled' });
// Steps — runId is top-level, NOT inside pagination
const { data, cursor } = await world.steps.list({ runId, pagination: { cursor }, resolveData: 'all' | 'none' });
const step = await world.steps.get(runId, stepId, { resolveData: 'all' | 'none' });
// Events
const { data, cursor } = await world.events.list({ runId, pagination: { cursor } });
await world.events.create(runId, { eventType: 'run_cancelled' });
// Hooks
const hook = await world.hooks.get(hookId);
const hook = await world.hooks.getByToken(token);
// Streams (methods on world.streams)
await world.streams.write(runId, name, chunk);
await world.streams.writeMulti?.(runId, name, chunks);
const readable = await world.streams.get(runId, name, startIndex);
await world.streams.close(runId, name);
const streamNames = await world.streams.list(runId);
const chunks = await world.streams.getChunks(runId, name, { limit, cursor });
const info = await world.streams.getInfo(runId, name);
// Queue (methods live directly on world — internal SDK infrastructure)
await world.queue(queueName, payload, opts);
const deploymentId = await world.getDeploymentId();
```
### `resolveData` Parameter
Controls whether input/output data is **included** in the response. Accepts `'all'` (default) or `'none'`.
**IMPORTANT**: Even with `'all'`, data is still devalue-serialized. You MUST call `hydrateResourceIO()` to get usable JS values.
- **Use `'none'`** for status polling, progress dashboards, run listings
- **Use `'all'`** (or omit) when you need to inspect actual step I/O data — then **always hydrate**
```typescript
// Lightweight status check — no I/O loaded
const run = await world.runs.get(runId, { resolveData: 'none' });
console.log(run.status); // 'running' | 'completed' | 'failed' | 'cancelled'
// Full inspection — resolveData includes data, hydrateResourceIO deserializes it
const step = await world.steps.get(runId, stepId); // defaults to 'all'
const hydrated = hydrateResourceIO(step, observabilityRevivers);
```
> **Common mistake**: Checking `step.input !== undefined` after `resolveData: 'all'` and assuming
> the data is ready to use. The data exists but is serialized — always hydrate first.
### Data Hydration (Devalue Format)
Step I/O is serialized via [devalue](https://github.com/Rich-Harris/devalue) with a 4-byte format prefix (`devl`). Without hydration, `input`/`output` are Uint8Array-like objects with numeric keys:
`{"0":100,"1":101,"2":118,"3":108,...}` — these are NOT usable values.
**Always hydrate before using I/O data:**
```typescript
import { hydrateResourceIO, observabilityRevivers } from "workflow/observability";
const { data: steps } = await world.steps.list({ runId, resolveData: 'all' });
const hydrated = steps.map(s => hydrateResourceIO(s, observabilityRevivers));
// hydrated[0].input → [123, 2] (actual function arguments)
// hydrated[0].output → 125 (actual return value)
```
`hydrateResourceIO` works on both `Step` and `WorkflowRun` objects. For encrypted workflows, use `getEncryptionKeyForRun()` + `hydrateResourceIOWithKey()`.
### Name Parsing
`parseWorkflowName()`, `parseStepName()`, and `parseClassName()` return `{ shortName: string, moduleSpecifier: string } | null`. Always use optional chaining:
```typescript
const parsed = parseWorkflowName("workflow//./src/workflows/order//processOrder");
// parsed?.shortName → "processOrder"
// parsed?.moduleSpecifier → "./src/workflows/order"
// ⚠️ Returns null if format doesn't match
```
### Event Types
Events are the append-only source of truth. Runs/Steps/Hooks are materialized views.
| Category | Types |
|----------|-------|
| Run | `run_created`, `run_started`, `run_completed`, `run_failed`, `run_cancelled` |
| Step | `step_created`, `step_started`, `step_completed`, `step_failed`, `step_retrying` |
| Hook | `hook_created`, `hook_received`, `hook_disposed`, `hook_conflict` |
| Wait | `wait_created`, `wait_completed` |
## Error Handling Patterns
Three error strategies for different failure modes:
| Error Type | Use When | Behavior |
|------------|----------|----------|
| `FatalError` | Permanent failure (bad input, auth denied) | Terminates workflow immediately, no retry |
| `RetryableError` | Transient failure (rate limit, timeout) | Retries with optional `retryAfter` delay |
| `Promise.allSettled` | Parallel steps with mixed criticality | Continues even if some steps fail |
```typescript
import { FatalError, RetryableError } from "workflow";
// Permanent failure — workflow terminates
throw new FatalError("Invalid input: missing required field");
// Transient failure — will retry
throw new RetryableError("API rate limited", { retryAfter: "5m" });
// Mixed criticality parallel execution
const results = await Promise.allSettled([
criticalStep(data), // Must succeed
optionalStep(data), // OK to fail
enrichmentStep(data), // OK to fail
]);
const [critical, optional, enrichment] = results;
if (critical.status === "rejected") throw new FatalError(critical.reason);
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wp-phpstan
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