How to return an HTTP response immediately using the return_http_response action?

Help
1

Hi, I have a workflow that is triggered using an HTTP request. There are around 10 steps in my workflow and I added the return_http_response action as my second step immediately after trigger.

When performing an HTTP request to my workflow, the duration of the request nearly matches the total duration of the request to the workflow meaning it waits for the entire workflow to finish. I want the workflow to return a response immediately at the second step but still proceed with the remaining steps in the background. I’ve been referring to Triggers - Pipedream but unfortunately did not make much progress towards my goal. I’m using postman to test my workflow.

trigger
Event data: Full HTTP request
HTTP response: Return a custom response from your workflow

return_http_response is configured
Response status code: 200
Response body: { “ProjectId”: “{{steps.trigger.context.project_id}}”, “WorkflowId”: “{{steps.trigger.context.workflow_id}}”, “TraceId”: “{{steps.trigger.context.trace_id}}” }

2

Hi @jet,

It sounds like you’re looking to have your HTTP-triggered Pipedream workflow return a response immediately (after your second step), while the rest of the workflow continues to run in the background. However, you’re observing that the HTTP request waits for the entire workflow to finish before responding.

Why This Happens

By default, Pipedream responds to HTTP requests after the workflow finishes running, unless you explicitly tell it to respond earlier. The HTTP Response action (or $.respond()) can be used to send a response at any point, but to have the workflow continue running after responding, you must set the immediate property to true.

How to Respond Immediately and Continue Workflow

You need to use $.respond({ immediate: true, ... }) in a code step (not just the HTTP Response action) to return a response right away and let the workflow continue processing.

Example Code Step

Add a code step as your second step (after the trigger) with the following code:

export default defineComponent({
  async run({ steps, $ }) {
    await $.respond({
      immediate: true,
      status: 200,
      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
      body: {
        ProjectId: steps.trigger.context.project_id,
        WorkflowId: steps.trigger.context.workflow_id,
        TraceId: steps.trigger.context.trace_id,
      },
    });
  },
});
  • This will send the HTTP response immediately after this step.
  • The rest of your workflow will continue to run in the background.

Important Notes

  • The built-in HTTP Response action always responds immediately, but if you’re still seeing delays, ensure no errors occur before this step and that it’s placed as early as possible.
  • If you use a code step with immediate: true, you have full control over the response timing and content.

Docs Reference

See the Pipedream docs on returning a response immediately for more details.

Summary:
Replace your HTTP Response action with a code step using $.respond({ immediate: true, ... }) as shown above. This will ensure the HTTP response is sent right away, and the workflow continues processing the remaining steps in the background.

If you still have issues, please let me know or visit Pipedream for more help.

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