Edge Functions Overview

Pulsabase Edge Functions let you run custom server-side logic close to your data. Functions are defined as a sequence of typed steps — HTTP requests, database queries, transforms, conditionals, emails, and more — without managing infrastructure.

Invoking a Function

// Synchronous — waits for the full result
const result = await pb.edge('send-welcome-email').invoke({
  userId: 'abc-123',
});

// Async — fire and forget (does not block)
await pb.edge('log-activity').invokeAsync({ userId: 'abc-123' });

// Synchronous
final result = await pb.edge('send-welcome-email').invoke({
  'userId': 'abc-123',
});

curl -X POST https://api.yourproject.pulsabase.io/edge/api/v1/invoke/send-welcome-email \
  -H "X-Api-Key: pk_live_your_api_key" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <user_token>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "userId": "abc-123" }'

Sync vs. Async Execution

Edge functions can run in two modes, chosen per invocation:

Mode	SDK Method	Behavior
Synchronous	`.invoke(payload)`	Waits for the full result. Use for functions where you need the output (e.g., data enrichment, validation).
Asynchronous	`.invokeAsync(payload)`	Returns immediately with `{ "queued": true }`. The function runs in the background. Use for side effects (emails, notifications, logging).

Before hooks are always synchronous (they block the DB mutation). After hooks are always asynchronous (they run post-mutation).

Creating Functions

Edge functions are managed in Dashboard → Edge Functions:

Click Create Function
Name your function (used for invocation and webhook URLs)
Add steps using the visual flow builder
Test with the built-in dry-run executor
Save — the function is immediately available

Step Types

Step Type	Description
HTTP	Make outbound HTTP requests to external APIs
Database	Execute queries against your Pulsabase database
Transform	Manipulate data with JavaScript expressions
Condition	Branch the sequence based on a boolean expression
Loop	Iterate over an array from a previous step
Email	Send emails via SMTP (Pulsabase-managed or your own)
Log	Output current variables to the execution `__logs`

Variable Interpolation

Step outputs are available to subsequent steps using {{}} syntax:

{{steps.<step_name>.body.<field>}}   ← Output of a previous step
{{input.<field>}}                    ← The invocation payload
{{env.STRIPE_KEY}}                   ← Secure environment variable
{{jwt.sub}}                          ← Current user's ID from JWT
{{jwt.role}}                         ← Current user's role

Example: Multi-Step Function

This is a process-order function that validates stock, conditionally errors, creates the order, and sends a confirmation email:

Dry Run Mode

Test any function without triggering real side effects — emails are not sent, HTTP calls are made but clearly flagged.

TypeScript
cURL

const result = await pb.edge('process-order').dryRun().invoke({
  productId: 'p-123',
  quantity: 2,
});

// Step-by-step execution log
console.log(result.__logs);

curl -X POST "https://api.yourproject.pulsabase.io/edge/api/v1/invoke/process-order?dry_run=true" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: pk_live_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "productId": "p-123", "quantity": 2 }'