Functions are the Nullspace primitive for repeatable product workflows. A Function packages a local project, creates versioned deploy records, and runs that version as either a finite job or a long-running HTTP service. Each run or service is backed by a machine, so you still get isolation, logs, files, snapshots, retained debugging access, and machine composition. Use Functions when your application needs a stable named unit of work rather than a one-off machine. Your backend remains the control plane for users, authorization, billing, product data, and durable application state. Nullspace owns the compute plane for the deployed process.

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Mental Model

ObjectPurpose
FunctionStable name and configuration for a local project.
VersionImmutable deploy result with bundle, entrypoint, resources, policy, and provenance.
Job runFinite execution that exits after producing logs, status, and optional outputs.
Service instanceLong-running HTTP process with readiness, URL lookup, logs, and lifecycle controls.
MachineThe isolated runtime backing a job run or service instance.
Current live modes are job and service. Function run IDs and service instance IDs are platform execution IDs, not user conversation/session IDs.

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Workflow

  1. Create function.py with nullspace functions init.
  2. Configure the bundle, install command, entrypoint, environment names, secrets, resources, outputs, routes, and runtime policy.
  3. Test locally with nullspace functions dev.
  4. Deploy with nullspace functions deploy or nullspace deploy.
  5. Run a job or start a service.
  6. Inspect logs, status, outputs, and the backing machine.
  7. Deploy a new version, roll back, or delete the Function.
export NULLSPACE_API_URL=https://api.your-nullspace-domain
export NULLSPACE_API_KEY=ns_live_...

python -m pip install "nullspace-sdk[cli]"
nullspace functions init
nullspace functions dev
nullspace functions deploy --dry-run --json
nullspace functions deploy --json

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CLI Map

TaskCommand
Author and deploynullspace functions init, nullspace functions dev, nullspace functions deploy
Discover functionsnullspace functions list, nullspace functions get, nullspace functions history
Run jobsnullspace functions run, nullspace functions spawn
Operate servicesnullspace functions url, nullspace functions status, nullspace functions logs, nullspace functions restart, nullspace functions stop
Manage triggersnullspace functions schedule ..., nullspace functions webhook ...
Debug statenullspace functions outputs, machine, shell, checkpoint, branch, rollback, tree

Authoring

Define the Function bundle, runtime command, environment, resources, and policy.

Jobs

Run finite tasks and collect logs, status, outputs, and retained machines.

Services

Start managed HTTP processes with readiness checks and public URLs.

Operations

Operate versions, logs, secrets, rollback, checkpoints, and retained machines.