Runtime versions
Each Zavu Function is built against a specific runtime version — a sealed bundle containing@zavudev/functions, our SDK, and a small set of curated
libraries. Runtime versions are immutable: once a function is deployed against
runtime v7, it keeps using that exact version forever, even if we publish
newer ones.
This means your function is stable. We can iterate the runtime without
breaking what’s already live.
How pinning works
- First deploy: function is pinned to whatever the latest runtime version was at deploy time.
- Subsequent deploys (
npx zavudev deploy): keep the same pin. The runtime doesn’t change even if newer versions are available. - Opt-in upgrade (
npx zavudev deploy --update-runtime): bump to the latest.
Checking your pin
Auditing per-deployment
Every deployment record stores which runtime ran:Upgrading
v8 and you were pinned to v7:
- The function’s runtime pin moves to
v8. - All subsequent
npx zavudev deploy(without the flag) keep you onv8.
When you should upgrade
Most of the time, never. Stay pinned. Upgrade only when:When you should NOT upgrade
- Breaking change in the framework that touches a method you use. Read the changelog first. Upgrade after fixing your code.
- Dependency bump in a curated lib (zod, hono, etc) — if your code depends on specific behavior, test first.
Support policy
When a version moves to
deprecated or eol, we email project owners 60 days
before the transition with the affected function list.
“EOL” never means the runtime disappears. Deployed functions keep their
pinned runtime indefinitely — EOL only blocks new deploys against that
version.
Bulk upgrade
When a security patch lands, you can sweep all your functions:What’s actually in a runtime version
The current runtime (~3 MB) contains:
If you
import one of these in your function source code, esbuild marks it
as external and the runtime resolves it at execution time — no npm install
needed, no bundle bloat.
To use a package NOT in the bundled set, declare it in package.json and the
build worker installs it during npx zavudev deploy:
CPU architecture
Each function runs on arm64 by default (AWS Graviton). You can opt into x86_64 when an npm dependency requires it:Setting it
Pick whichever fits your workflow — they compose, with CLI flag > package.json > server default.npx zavudev deploy — Lambda doesn’t allow swapping architecture in-place, so a new function deployment is required.
Pricing impact
The architecture multiplier compounds with the memory multiplier. Examples:
If you’re approaching your plan’s monthly quota, prefer arm64 first — switch to x86 only when you’ve confirmed a specific dep needs it. See Pricing model for plan quotas.
When you actually need x86
Modern packages (most of npm) ship arm64 prebuilts. You generally only need x86 for:- Older versions of native libs (
bcrypt < 5, very oldsharp,canvas) - Wasm-wrapped tools without arm64 bindings
- Code that uses
process.arch === "x64"assumptions
npx zavudev deploy on arm64 with an incompatible package usually fails with a clear “Could not find prebuild for … arm64” error — that’s your cue to switch.
Rolling back
We don’t have a--runtime <version> flag yet for explicit version pinning.
If an upgrade breaks you and the previous runtime is still
active/deprecated (not yet EOL), the workaround is to deploy from a
previous source commit without --update-runtime:
