core/docs/STARLARK-REFERENCE.md

# Starlark Reference

Armature extensions can include Starlark scripts for server-side logic.
Starlark is a Python-like language designed for configuration and
embedding — see the [official spec](https://github.com/google/starlark-go).

## Sandbox constraints

- **No `while` loops** — use `for` with bounded ranges.
- **No `load()`** — use `lib.require()` for library dependencies.
- **Max steps:** 1,000,000 bytecode operations per execution.
- **No filesystem or OS access** — all I/O goes through gated modules.
- **Deterministic** — same input produces same output (no `random`, no `time`).

## Always-available modules

These modules are injected into every script with no permission required.

### json

Standard Starlark JSON module.

```python
data = json.decode('{"key": "value"}')
text = json.encode({"key": "value"})
```

### settings

Read resolved package settings (global → team → user cascade).

```python
val = settings.get("theme", "light")
# Returns the resolved value, or the default if unset.
```

The cascade respects the `user_overridable` flag from the package manifest.
See [Permissions & Groups](PERMISSIONS-AND-GROUPS) for details.

### lib

Load exported functions from library packages.

```python
helpers = lib.require("my-utils")
result = helpers.format_date("2026-01-15")
```

Requirements:
- The library must be declared in your package manifest's `dependencies`.
- The library must be type `library`, status `active`, tier `starlark`.
- Circular dependencies are detected and rejected.
- Results are cached per execution (calling `require` twice returns the
  same object).

## Permission-gated modules

These modules are only available if the package has the corresponding
permission granted in **Admin > Packages**.

### secrets

**Permission:** `secrets.read`

Read admin-configured secrets for this package.

```python
api_key = secrets.get("OPENAI_KEY")  # str or None
all_keys = secrets.list()             # list of key names
```

Secrets are set in **Admin > Packages > Secrets** and scoped per package.

### notifications

**Permission:** `notifications.send`

Send in-app notifications to users.

```python
notifications.send(
    user_id,        # str — target user UUID
    title,          # str — notification title
    body="",        # str — optional body text
    type="extension.notify"  # str — notification type
)
```

### db

**Permission:** `db.read` (queries) or `db.write` (mutations)

Read and write extension data tables. All tables are automatically
namespaced as `ext_{package_id}_{table_name}`.

#### Read operations

```python
# Query with filters, ordering, and pagination
rows = db.query(
    "tasks",                    # table name (without prefix)
    filters={"status": "open"}, # equality WHERE clauses
    order="-created_at",        # column name (prefix - for DESC)
    limit=50,                   # max 1000
    before={"created_at": ts},  # range: column < value
    after={"created_at": ts},   # range: column > value
    search_like={"title": "%bug%"}  # LIKE/ILIKE search
)

# Read from system views (read-only)
users = db.view("users", filters={"display_name": "Alice"}, limit=10)
channels = db.view("channels", limit=100)

# List all tables owned by this package
tables = db.list_tables()
```

Available views: `users`, `channels`.

#### Write operations

```python
row = db.insert("tasks", {"title": "Fix bug", "status": "open"})
# Returns the inserted row dict (with generated id, created_at)

db.update("tasks", row_id, {"status": "closed"})
# Returns True on success

db.delete("tasks", row_id)
# Returns True on success
```

### http

**Permission:** `api.http`

Make outbound HTTP requests.

```python
resp = http.get("https://api.example.com/data", headers={"Authorization": "Bearer ..."})
resp = http.post(url, body='{"key": "val"}', headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"})
resp = http.put(url, body="...", headers={})
resp = http.delete(url, headers={})
resp = http.request("PATCH", url, body="...", headers={})
```

Response dict:

```python
{
    "status": 200,
    "headers": {"content-type": "application/json"},
    "body": "..."   # capped at 1 MB
}
```

**Security:**
- Private/loopback IPs are blocked (SSRF protection).
- Packages can declare `network_access.allow` (allowlist) or
  `network_access.block` (blocklist) in their manifest.
- Max 10 redirects. 10-second timeout. 1 MB response body limit.

### realtime

**Permission:** `realtime.publish`

Publish WebSocket events to subscribed clients.

```python
realtime.publish(
    "my-channel",     # channel name
    "item.updated",   # event label
    {"id": "abc"}     # payload dict (max 7 KB)
)
```

The payload is automatically tagged with `_pkg: package_id`.

### connections

**Permission:** `connections.read`

Read external connection configurations (secrets are decrypted).

```python
conn = connections.get("postgres", "main-db")
# Returns dict with id, type, name, scope, plus flattened config fields
# Returns None if not found

all_pg = connections.list("postgres")
# Returns list of connection dicts
```

Connections are resolved via scope chain: personal → team → global.

### workflow

**Permission:** `workflow.access`

Read workflow definitions and instances (read-only from Starlark;
mutations go through the HTTP API).

```python
defn = workflow.get_definition(workflow_id)
# Returns dict: id, name, slug, entry_mode, is_active, version, stages[]

inst = workflow.get_instance(instance_id)
# Returns dict: id, workflow_id, current_stage, status, stage_data, ...

instances = workflow.list_instances(workflow_id, status="active")
# Returns list of instance dicts
```

## Example: automated stage hook

A simple hook that reads a setting, queries data, and advances:

```python
def on_run(ctx):
    threshold = settings.get("approval_threshold", 1000)
    amount = ctx["stage_data"].get("amount", 0)

    if amount > threshold:
        notifications.send(
            ctx["started_by"],
            "High-value submission",
            body="Amount %d exceeds threshold." % amount,
        )
        return {"advance": True, "data": {"needs_review": True}}

    return {"advance": True, "data": {"needs_review": False}}
```