convex-functions
Writing queries, mutations, actions, and HTTP actions with proper argument validation, error handling, internal functions, and runtime considerations
What this skill does
# Convex Functions
Master Convex functions including queries, mutations, actions, and HTTP endpoints with proper validation, error handling, and runtime considerations.
## Code Quality
All examples in this skill comply with @convex-dev/eslint-plugin rules:
- Object syntax with `handler` property
- Argument validators on all functions
- Explicit table names in database operations
See the Code Quality section in [convex-best-practices](../convex-best-practices/SKILL.md) for linting setup.
## Documentation Sources
Before implementing, do not assume; fetch the latest documentation:
- Primary: https://docs.convex.dev/functions
- Query Functions: https://docs.convex.dev/functions/query-functions
- Mutation Functions: https://docs.convex.dev/functions/mutation-functions
- Actions: https://docs.convex.dev/functions/actions
- HTTP Actions: https://docs.convex.dev/functions/http-actions
- For broader context: https://docs.convex.dev/llms.txt
## Instructions
### Function Types Overview
| Type | Database Access | External APIs | Caching | Use Case |
| ----------- | ------------------------ | ------------- | ------------- | --------------------- |
| Query | Read-only | No | Yes, reactive | Fetching data |
| Mutation | Read/Write | No | No | Modifying data |
| Action | Via runQuery/runMutation | Yes | No | External integrations |
| HTTP Action | Via runQuery/runMutation | Yes | No | Webhooks, APIs |
### Queries
Queries are reactive, cached, and read-only:
```typescript
import { query } from "./_generated/server";
import { v } from "convex/values";
export const getUser = query({
args: { userId: v.id("users") },
returns: v.union(
v.object({
_id: v.id("users"),
_creationTime: v.number(),
name: v.string(),
email: v.string(),
}),
v.null(),
),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
return await ctx.db.get("users", args.userId);
},
});
// Query with index
export const listUserTasks = query({
args: { userId: v.id("users") },
returns: v.array(
v.object({
_id: v.id("tasks"),
_creationTime: v.number(),
title: v.string(),
completed: v.boolean(),
}),
),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
return await ctx.db
.query("tasks")
.withIndex("by_user", (q) => q.eq("userId", args.userId))
.order("desc")
.collect();
},
});
```
### Mutations
Mutations modify the database and are transactional:
```typescript
import { mutation } from "./_generated/server";
import { v } from "convex/values";
import { ConvexError } from "convex/values";
export const createTask = mutation({
args: {
title: v.string(),
userId: v.id("users"),
},
returns: v.id("tasks"),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
// Validate user exists
const user = await ctx.db.get("users", args.userId);
if (!user) {
throw new ConvexError("User not found");
}
return await ctx.db.insert("tasks", {
title: args.title,
userId: args.userId,
completed: false,
createdAt: Date.now(),
});
},
});
export const deleteTask = mutation({
args: { taskId: v.id("tasks") },
returns: v.null(),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
await ctx.db.delete("tasks", args.taskId);
return null;
},
});
```
### Actions
Actions can call external APIs but have no direct database access:
```typescript
"use node";
import { action } from "./_generated/server";
import { v } from "convex/values";
import { api, internal } from "./_generated/api";
export const sendEmail = action({
args: {
to: v.string(),
subject: v.string(),
body: v.string(),
},
returns: v.object({ success: v.boolean() }),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
// Call external API
const response = await fetch("https://api.email.com/send", {
method: "POST",
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
body: JSON.stringify(args),
});
return { success: response.ok };
},
});
// Action calling queries and mutations
export const processOrder = action({
args: { orderId: v.id("orders") },
returns: v.null(),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
// Read data via query
const order = await ctx.runQuery(api.orders.get, { orderId: args.orderId });
if (!order) {
throw new Error("Order not found");
}
// Call external payment API
const paymentResult = await processPayment(order);
// Update database via mutation
await ctx.runMutation(internal.orders.updateStatus, {
orderId: args.orderId,
status: paymentResult.success ? "paid" : "failed",
});
return null;
},
});
```
### HTTP Actions
HTTP actions handle webhooks and external requests:
```typescript
// convex/http.ts
import { httpRouter } from "convex/server";
import { httpAction } from "./_generated/server";
import { api, internal } from "./_generated/api";
const http = httpRouter();
// Webhook endpoint
http.route({
path: "/webhooks/stripe",
method: "POST",
handler: httpAction(async (ctx, request) => {
const signature = request.headers.get("stripe-signature");
const body = await request.text();
// Verify webhook signature
if (!verifyStripeSignature(body, signature)) {
return new Response("Invalid signature", { status: 401 });
}
const event = JSON.parse(body);
// Process webhook
await ctx.runMutation(internal.payments.handleWebhook, {
eventType: event.type,
data: event.data,
});
return new Response("OK", { status: 200 });
}),
});
// API endpoint
http.route({
path: "/api/users/:userId",
method: "GET",
handler: httpAction(async (ctx, request) => {
const url = new URL(request.url);
const userId = url.pathname.split("/").pop();
const user = await ctx.runQuery(api.users.get, {
userId: userId as Id<"users">,
});
if (!user) {
return new Response("Not found", { status: 404 });
}
return Response.json(user);
}),
});
export default http;
```
### Internal Functions
Use internal functions for sensitive operations:
```typescript
import {
internalMutation,
internalQuery,
internalAction,
} from "./_generated/server";
import { v } from "convex/values";
// Only callable from other Convex functions
export const _updateUserCredits = internalMutation({
args: {
userId: v.id("users"),
amount: v.number(),
},
returns: v.null(),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
const user = await ctx.db.get("users", args.userId);
if (!user) return null;
await ctx.db.patch("users", args.userId, {
credits: (user.credits || 0) + args.amount,
});
return null;
},
});
// Call internal function from action
export const purchaseCredits = action({
args: { userId: v.id("users"), amount: v.number() },
returns: v.null(),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
// Process payment externally
await processPayment(args.amount);
// Update credits via internal mutation
await ctx.runMutation(internal.users._updateUserCredits, {
userId: args.userId,
amount: args.amount,
});
return null;
},
});
```
### Scheduling Functions
Schedule functions to run later:
```typescript
import { mutation, internalMutation } from "./_generated/server";
import { v } from "convex/values";
import { internal } from "./_generated/api";
export const scheduleReminder = mutation({
args: {
userId: v.id("users"),
message: v.string(),
delayMs: v.number(),
},
returns: v.id("_scheduled_functions"),
handler: async (ctx, args) => {
return await ctx.scheduler.runAfter(
args.delayMs,
internal.notifications.sendReminder,
{ userId: args.userId, message: args.message },
);
},
});
export const sendReminder = internalMutation({
args: {
userId: v.id("users"),
message: v.string(),
},
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