---
title: exec() is now available for Containers
description: Control additional processes from the associated Durable Object.
image: https://developers.cloudflare.com/changelog-preview.png
---

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## exec() is now available for Containers

Jun 18, 2026 

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

`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:

* [  JavaScript ](#tab-panel-2554)
* [  TypeScript ](#tab-panel-2555)

src/index.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.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/execute-commands/).

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```