is "use step" really no-op?

[shyam-king]

https://useworkflow.dev/docs/foundations/workflows-and-steps#step-functions <- here it is mentioned "use step" is essentially no-op. If that's the case would methods like getStepMetadata work when the step function is invoked outside a workflow?

[adriandlam]

hey @shyam-king ! From the first link you sent:

Calling a step from outside a workflow, or from another step will essentially run the step in the same process like a normal function (in other words, the use step directive is a no-op).

The directive "use step" doesn't do anything when the step function is called outside the workflow function OR when it's called inside another step function.

[pranaygp]

It is a no-op in that most steps will just work since the directive doesn't do anything in regular javascript

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but, yeah, functions like getStepMetadata will currently throw if you use it in a step when you're not running inside a step.

We are considering making it work and basically including a field that lets you know whether or not you're inside a step

It's an ongoing design decision, because most of the rest of your step can just work. Even setting maxRetries on the step will simply become no-ops when using the step outside of workflows