---
description: Control additional processes from the associated Durable Object.
title: exec() is now available for Containers
image: https://developers.cloudflare.com/changelog/post/2026-06-18-container-exec/og.png?v=e916b1fcd2e487d5
---

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June 18, 2026

## exec() is now available for Containers

[Containers](https://developers.cloudflare.com/containers/)

Copy as Markdown| [View as Markdown](https://developers.cloudflare.com/changelog/post/2026-06-18-container-exec/index.md)| [Agent setup](https://developers.cloudflare.com/agent-setup/)

`exec()` is now available for [Containers](https://developers.cloudflare.com/containers/). Use `this.ctx.container.exec()` to start processes inside a running Container, stream standard input and output, inspect exit codes, and signal each process.

Call `exec()` from a class extending `Container`, or from another Durable Object through `this.ctx.container`. The associated Container must already be running.

This example starts the Container when needed, then reads its Node.js version:

*src/index.jsjs*

```js
import { Container } from "@cloudflare/containers";

export class MyContainer extends Container {
	async readVersion() {
		if (!this.ctx.container.running) {
			await this.start();
		}

		const process = await this.ctx.container.exec(["node", "--version"]);
		const output = await process.output();
		const decoder = new TextDecoder();

		return {
			exitCode: output.exitCode,
			stdout: decoder.decode(output.stdout),
			stderr: decoder.decode(output.stderr),
		};
	}
}
```

*src/index.tsts*

```ts
import { Container } from "@cloudflare/containers";

export class MyContainer extends Container {
	async readVersion() {
		if (!this.ctx.container.running) {
			await this.start();
		}

		const process = await this.ctx.container.exec(["node", "--version"]);
		const output = await process.output();
		const decoder = new TextDecoder();

		return {
			exitCode: output.exitCode,
			stdout: decoder.decode(output.stdout),
			stderr: decoder.decode(output.stderr),
		};
	}
}
```

The command array starts an executable directly, without an implicit shell. Invoke a shell explicitly for pipes, redirects, or variable expansion.

One RPC method can coordinate multiple `exec()` calls in one caller-to-Durable Object round trip. It can also pass byte-oriented `ReadableStream` input or return streamed output with flow control.

For options and streaming examples, refer to [Execute commands](https://developers.cloudflare.com/containers/guides/execute-commands/).

```json
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```