---
title: "Run history and troubleshooting - Workflow Functions"
description: "Read the History page, understand run statuses and triggers, and fix the most common reasons a function fails in Shopify Flow."
canonical: "https://docs.workflow-functions.app/run-history-and-troubleshooting"
---

# Run history and troubleshooting

Every time a function runs - from Flow, from a test, or from the API - it is recorded in **History**. This page is the first place to look when a workflow behaves unexpectedly.

## The History page

Open **History** in the app navigation. Each row is one run, with its function, status, trigger, and time. You can filter by:

- **Function** - one or more functions.
- **Status** - Success, Failed, Timeout.
- **Trigger** - Flow, Manual, or API.

Open any run to see the full detail: the exact **input** it received, the **output** it returned, the **logs** (`ctx.log(...)` lines with timestamps), the **duration**, and an **error message** if it failed.

## Statuses

| Status | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Success** | The function returned without throwing. Its output went back to Flow. |
| **Failed** | The code threw an error, or returned an error to Flow. The message is on the run detail. |
| **Timeout** | The run exceeded the function's timeout (Settings tab). Usually a slow external call or an endless loop. |

## Triggers

| Trigger | Where it came from | Counts against quota? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Flow** | The Run Function action in a Shopify Flow workflow | Yes |
| **Manual** | The Test button in the editor | No |
| **API** | The REST API or MCP | No |

Only **Flow** runs count against your monthly plan quota. See [Developer API and MCP](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/developer-api-and-mcp.md).

## The first thing to check: what input arrived

Most "it works when I test but not in Flow" problems are input problems. Open the failing Flow run and look at the recorded input.

If it is empty (`{}`) but you expected fields, the Input (JSON) field on the Flow action is producing invalid JSON - almost always an unquoted Liquid variable. Full detail in [Passing variables into your function](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/passing-variables-into-your-function.md).

## Common errors and fixes

Pick the error you are seeing to expand its cause and fix.

### Input is {} (empty) in history

The action's Input (JSON) is invalid, so your function received an empty object. Quote your Liquid variables. See [Passing variables into your function](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/passing-variables-into-your-function.md).

### Function must export a default async function

Your code has no `export default`. Add:

```js
export default async function (input, ctx) {
  // ...
}
```

### Compile error

A syntax error in your code. The message points at the line.

### TIMEOUT

Usually a slow external API or an endless loop. Raise the timeout on the Settings tab, or make the call faster.

### Access-denied error from ctx.shopify.graphql

The query needs a permission you have not granted. See [Permissions and store data access](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/permissions-and-store-data-access.md).

### A function is disabled

**Enabled** is off on the Settings tab, or a permission the function needs was revoked (grant it again on Permissions to re-enable).

### No function configured for this action

The Flow action has no function selected. Open it and pick one.

### Plan limit reached (429)

You have used your rolling 30-day quota. Upgrade your plan to keep running.

### This account has been suspended

Contact support.

## Retries do not double up

If Flow retries the same action execution, the run is recognised as a duplicate and the earlier successful result is returned instead of running your code again. So a retry does not repeat side effects (like creating a discount twice) and does not consume a second quota slot. See [Set up the Run Function action in Shopify Flow](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/set-up-the-run-function-action-in-shopify-flow.md).

## Alerts

Workflow Functions can email you when usage reaches 80% or 100% of your plan, or when your failure rate climbs. Open the bell on the first dashboard stat card to set thresholds and recipients.

## Next steps

- [Passing variables into your function](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/passing-variables-into-your-function.md) - the most common source of failures.
- [Permissions and store data access](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/permissions-and-store-data-access.md) - fix access-denied errors.
- [Set up the Run Function action in Shopify Flow](https://docs.workflow-functions.app/set-up-the-run-function-action-in-shopify-flow.md) - the Flow action itself.