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Add async XCom accessors for async tasks - #68299

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dabla merged 7 commits into
apache:mainfrom
dabla:feature/async-xcom-accessors
Jun 19, 2026
Merged

Add async XCom accessors for async tasks#68299
dabla merged 7 commits into
apache:mainfrom
dabla:feature/async-xcom-accessors

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@dabla

@dabladabla commented Jun 9, 2026

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Related PR's

Related to:
#68214
#60268
#62922

Why

Async @task functions currently cannot efficiently pull or push XCom values because the existing xcom_pull and xcom_push implementations rely on synchronous communication with the task supervisor. Invoking these methods from an async task blocks the event loop, reducing the benefits of asynchronous execution.

This change introduces asynchronous XCom operations, allowing async Python tasks to interact with XComs without blocking the event loop.

This capability is also an important building block for the upcoming Task Iteration feature (AIP-104). Task Iteration relies on the ability to persist intermediate progress and results during execution, which requires non-blocking XCom operations when used with async tasks. As such, this PR serves as preparatory work for AIP-104 while also providing immediate value by enabling fully asynchronous XCom interactions in existing async Python tasks.

In addition, this functionality lays the groundwork for future async operators. As more operators adopt native async implementations, they will be able to leverage asynchronous XCom operations without blocking the event loop, enabling more efficient and scalable async execution patterns throughout Airflow.

How

  • Add axcom_pull/axcom_push to RuntimeTaskInstance, awaiting the supervisor round-trip via asend instead of blocking.
  • Add aget_one/aget_all/aset to BaseXCom for async XCom retrieval and storage.

Was generative AI tooling used to co-author this PR?
  • [ x ] Yes (please specify the tool below)

Claude Opus 4.6


  • Read the Pull Request Guidelines for more information. Note: commit author/co-author name and email in commits become permanently public when merged.
  • For fundamental code changes, an Airflow Improvement Proposal (AIP) is needed.
  • When adding dependency, check compliance with the ASF 3rd Party License Policy.
  • For significant user-facing changes create newsfragment: {pr_number}.significant.rst, in airflow-core/newsfragments. You can add this file in a follow-up commit after the PR is created so you know the PR number.

@dabladabla self-assigned this Jun 9, 2026
Comment threadtask-sdk/tests/task_sdk/execution_time/test_task_runner.py
Comment threadtask-sdk/tests/task_sdk/execution_time/test_task_runner.py
@dabla
dablaforce-pushed the feature/async-xcom-accessors branch from bda0641 to 8831649CompareJune 10, 2026 07:20
@dabla
dablaforce-pushed the feature/async-xcom-accessors branch from 8831649 to 7ee450cCompareJune 10, 2026 07:27
@dabla

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Same here, it would be good if @ashb or @amoghrajesh could validate this PR.

Comment threadtask-sdk/src/airflow/sdk/bases/xcom.py
Comment threadtask-sdk/src/airflow/sdk/bases/xcom.py
Comment threadtask-sdk/src/airflow/sdk/execution_time/task_runner.py Outdated
Comment threadtask-sdk/src/airflow/sdk/execution_time/task_runner.py
Comment threadtask-sdk/tests/task_sdk/bases/test_xcom.py
Comment threadtask-sdk/tests/task_sdk/execution_time/test_task_runner.py
@jscheffl

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@dabla you should improve a bit on your setup via prek, there are some static check failures. When fixed I'd be able to review.

@dabla
dablaforce-pushed the feature/async-xcom-accessors branch 3 times, most recently from c55986b to 981e6e1CompareJune 17, 2026 09:19
@dabla
dablaforce-pushed the feature/async-xcom-accessors branch from 981e6e1 to 7fa919fCompareJune 17, 2026 15:22
@dabla
dabla requested a review from ashbJune 18, 2026 07:17
Comment threadtask-sdk/src/airflow/sdk/bases/xcom.py Outdated

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Few nits/q's but looks good overall

@dabla
dabla merged commit 7a21a3e into apache:mainJun 19, 2026
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4 participants

@dabla@jscheffl@ashb@jroachgolf84