Running Workloads on Hugging Face Jobs
Overview
Run any workload on fully managed Hugging Face infrastructure. No local setup required—jobs run on cloud CPUs, GPUs, or TPUs and can persist results to the Hugging Face Hub.
Common use cases:
- Data Processing - Transform, filter, or analyze large datasets
- Batch Inference - Run inference on thousands of samples
- Experiments & Benchmarks - Reproducible ML experiments
- Model Training - Fine-tune models (see
model-trainerskill for TRL-specific training) - Synthetic Data Generation - Generate datasets using LLMs
- Development & Testing - Test code without local GPU setup
- Scheduled Jobs - Automate recurring tasks
For model training specifically: See the model-trainer skill for TRL-based training workflows.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when users want to:
- Run Python workloads on cloud infrastructure
- Execute jobs without local GPU/TPU setup
- Process data at scale
- Run batch inference or experiments
- Schedule recurring tasks
- Use GPUs/TPUs for any workload
- Persist results to the Hugging Face Hub
Key Directives
When assisting with jobs:
ALWAYS use
hf_jobs()MCP tool - Submit jobs usinghf_jobs("uv", \{...\})orhf_jobs("run", \{...\}). Thescriptparameter accepts Python code directly. Do NOT save to local files unless the user explicitly requests it. Pass the script content as a string tohf_jobs().Always handle authentication - Jobs that interact with the Hub require
HF_TOKENvia secrets. See Token Usage section below.Provide job details after submission - After submitting, provide job ID, monitoring URL, estimated time, and note that the user can request status checks later.
Set appropriate timeouts - Default 30min may be insufficient for long-running tasks.
Prerequisites Checklist
Before starting any job, verify:
✅ Account & Authentication
- Hugging Face Account with Pro, Team, or Enterprise plan (Jobs require paid plan)
- Authenticated login: Check with
hf_whoami() - HF_TOKEN for Hub Access ⚠️ CRITICAL - Required for any Hub operations (push models/datasets, download private repos, etc.)
- Token must have appropriate permissions (read for downloads, write for uploads)
✅ Token Usage (See Token Usage section for details)
When tokens are required:
- Pushing models/datasets to Hub
- Accessing private repositories
- Using Hub APIs in scripts
- Any authenticated Hub operations
How to provide tokens:
{
"secrets": {"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"} # Recommended: automatic token
}⚠️ CRITICAL: The $HF_TOKEN placeholder is automatically replaced with your logged-in token. Never hardcode tokens in scripts.
Token Usage Guide
Understanding Tokens
What are HF Tokens?
- Authentication credentials for Hugging Face Hub
- Required for authenticated operations (push, private repos, API access)
- Stored securely on your machine after
hf auth login
Token Types:
- Read Token - Can download models/datasets, read private repos
- Write Token - Can push models/datasets, create repos, modify content
- Organization Token - Can act on behalf of an organization
When Tokens Are Required
Always Required:
- Pushing models/datasets to Hub
- Accessing private repositories
- Creating new repositories
- Modifying existing repositories
- Using Hub APIs programmatically
Not Required:
- Downloading public models/datasets
- Running jobs that don't interact with Hub
- Reading public repository information
How to Provide Tokens to Jobs
Method 1: Automatic Token (Recommended)
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": "your_script.py",
"secrets": {"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"} # ✅ Automatic replacement
})How it works:
$HF_TOKENis a placeholder that gets replaced with your actual token- Uses the token from your logged-in session (
hf auth login) - Most secure and convenient method
- Token is encrypted server-side when passed as a secret
Benefits:
- No token exposure in code
- Uses your current login session
- Automatically updated if you re-login
- Works seamlessly with MCP tools
Method 2: Explicit Token (Not Recommended)
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": "your_script.py",
"secrets": {"HF_TOKEN": "hf_abc123..."} # ⚠️ Hardcoded token
})When to use:
- Only if automatic token doesn't work
- Testing with a specific token
- Organization tokens (use with caution)
Security concerns:
- Token visible in code/logs
- Must manually update if token rotates
- Risk of token exposure
Method 3: Environment Variable (Less Secure)
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": "your_script.py",
"env": {"HF_TOKEN": "hf_abc123..."} # ⚠️ Less secure than secrets
})Difference from secrets:
envvariables are visible in job logssecretsare encrypted server-side- Always prefer
secretsfor tokens
Using Tokens in Scripts
In your Python script, tokens are available as environment variables:
# /// script
# dependencies = ["huggingface-hub"]
# ///
import os
from huggingface_hub import HfApi
# Token is automatically available if passed via secrets
token = os.environ.get("HF_TOKEN")
# Use with Hub API
api = HfApi(token=token)
# Or let huggingface_hub auto-detect
api = HfApi() # Automatically uses HF_TOKEN env varBest practices:
- Don't hardcode tokens in scripts
- Use
os.environ.get("HF_TOKEN")to access - Let
huggingface_hubauto-detect when possible - Verify token exists before Hub operations
Token Verification
Check if you're logged in:
from huggingface_hub import whoami
user_info = whoami() # Returns your username if authenticatedVerify token in job:
import os
assert "HF_TOKEN" in os.environ, "HF_TOKEN not found!"
token = os.environ["HF_TOKEN"]
print(f"Token starts with: {token[:7]}...") # Should start with "hf_"Common Token Issues
Error: 401 Unauthorized
- Cause: Token missing or invalid
- Fix: Add
secrets=\{"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"}to job config - Verify: Check
hf_whoami()works locally
Error: 403 Forbidden
- Cause: Token lacks required permissions
- Fix: Ensure token has write permissions for push operations
- Check: Token type at https://huggingface.co/settings/tokens
Error: Token not found in environment
- Cause:
secretsnot passed or wrong key name - Fix: Use
secrets={"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"\}(notenv) - Verify: Script checks
os.environ.get("HF_TOKEN")
Error: Repository access denied
- Cause: Token doesn't have access to private repo
- Fix: Use token from account with access
- Check: Verify repo visibility and your permissions
Token Security Best Practices
- Never commit tokens - Use
$HF_TOKENplaceholder or environment variables - Use secrets, not env - Secrets are encrypted server-side
- Rotate tokens regularly - Generate new tokens periodically
- Use minimal permissions - Create tokens with only needed permissions
- Don't share tokens - Each user should use their own token
- Monitor token usage - Check token activity in Hub settings
Complete Token Example
# Example: Push results to Hub
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": """
# /// script
# dependencies = ["huggingface-hub", "datasets"]
# ///
import os
from huggingface_hub import HfApi
from datasets import Dataset
# Verify token is available
assert "HF_TOKEN" in os.environ, "HF_TOKEN required!"
# Use token for Hub operations
api = HfApi(token=os.environ["HF_TOKEN"])
# Create and push dataset
data = {"text": ["Hello", "World"]}
dataset = Dataset.from_dict(data)
dataset.push_to_hub("username/my-dataset", token=os.environ["HF_TOKEN"])
print("✅ Dataset pushed successfully!")
""",
"flavor": "cpu-basic",
"timeout": "30m",
"secrets": {"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"} # ✅ Token provided securely
})Quick Start: Two Approaches
Approach 1: UV Scripts (Recommended)
UV scripts use PEP 723 inline dependencies for clean, self-contained workloads.
MCP Tool:
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": """
# /// script
# dependencies = ["transformers", "torch"]
# ///
from transformers import pipeline
import torch
# Your workload here
classifier = pipeline("sentiment-analysis")
result = classifier("I love Hugging Face!")
print(result)
""",
"flavor": "cpu-basic",
"timeout": "30m"
})CLI Equivalent:
hf jobs uv run my_script.py --flavor cpu-basic --timeout 30mPython API:
from huggingface_hub import run_uv_job
run_uv_job("my_script.py", flavor="cpu-basic", timeout="30m")Benefits: Direct MCP tool usage, clean code, dependencies declared inline, no file saving required
When to use: Default choice for all workloads, custom logic, any scenario requiring hf_jobs()
Custom Docker Images for UV Scripts
By default, UV scripts use ghcr.io/astral-sh/uv:python3.12-bookworm-slim. For ML workloads with complex dependencies, use pre-built images:
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": "inference.py",
"image": "vllm/vllm-openai:latest", # Pre-built image with vLLM
"flavor": "a10g-large"
})CLI:
hf jobs uv run --image vllm/vllm-openai:latest --flavor a10g-large inference.pyBenefits: Faster startup, pre-installed dependencies, optimized for specific frameworks
Python Version
By default, UV scripts use Python 3.12. Specify a different version:
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": "my_script.py",
"python": "3.11", # Use Python 3.11
"flavor": "cpu-basic"
})Python API:
from huggingface_hub import run_uv_job
run_uv_job("my_script.py", python="3.11")Working with Scripts
⚠️ Important: There are two "script path" stories depending on how you run Jobs:
- Using the
hf_jobs()MCP tool (recommended in this repo): thescriptvalue must be inline code (a string) or a URL. A local filesystem path (like"./scripts/foo.py") won't exist inside the remote container. - Using the
hf jobs uv runCLI: local file paths do work (the CLI uploads your script).
Common mistake with hf_jobs() MCP tool:
# ❌ Will fail (remote container can't see your local path)
hf_jobs("uv", {"script": "./scripts/foo.py"})Correct patterns with hf_jobs() MCP tool:
# ✅ Inline: read the local script file and pass its *contents*
from pathlib import Path
script = Path("hf-jobs/scripts/foo.py").read_text()
hf_jobs("uv", {"script": script})
# ✅ URL: host the script somewhere reachable
hf_jobs("uv", {"script": "https://huggingface.co/datasets/uv-scripts/.../raw/main/foo.py"})
# ✅ URL from GitHub
hf_jobs("uv", {"script": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/huggingface/trl/main/trl/scripts/sft.py"})CLI equivalent (local paths supported):
hf jobs uv run ./scripts/foo.py -- --your --argsAdding Dependencies at Runtime
Add extra dependencies beyond what's in the PEP 723 header:
hf_jobs("uv", {
"script": "inference.py",
"dependencies": ["transformers", "torch>=2.0"], # Extra deps
"flavor": "a10g-small"
})Python API:
from huggingface_hub import run_uv_job
run_uv_job("inference.py", dependencies=["transformers", "torch>=2.0"])Approach 2: Docker-Based Jobs
Run jobs with custom Docker images and commands.
MCP Tool:
hf_jobs("run", {
"image": "python:3.12",
"command": ["python", "-c", "print('Hello from HF Jobs!')"],
"flavor": "cpu-basic",
"timeout": "30m"
})CLI Equivalent:
hf jobs run python:3.12 python -c "print('Hello from HF Jobs!')"Python API:
from huggingface_hub import run_job
run_job(image="python:3.12", command=["python", "-c", "print('Hello!')"], flavor="cpu-basic")Benefits: Full Docker control, use pre-built images, run any command When to use: Need specific Docker images, non-Python workloads, complex environments
Example with GPU:
hf_jobs("run", {
"image": "pytorch/pytorch:2.6.0-cuda12.4-cudnn9-devel",
"command": ["python", "-c", "import torch; print(torch.cuda.get_device_name())"],
"flavor": "a10g-small",
"timeout": "1h"
})Using Hugging Face Spaces as Images:
You can use Docker images from HF Spaces:
hf_jobs("run", {
"image": "hf.co/spaces/lhoestq/duckdb", # Space as Docker image
"command": ["duckdb", "-c", "SELECT 'Hello from DuckDB!'"],
"flavor": "cpu-basic"
})CLI:
hf jobs run hf.co/spaces/lhoestq/duckdb duckdb -c "SELECT 'Hello!'"Finding More UV Scripts on Hub
The uv-scripts organization provides ready-to-use UV scripts stored as datasets on Hugging Face Hub:
# Discover available UV script collections
dataset_search({"author": "uv-scripts", "sort": "downloads", "limit": 20})
# Explore a specific collection
hub_repo_details(["uv-scripts/classification"], repo_type="dataset", include_readme=True)Popular collections: OCR, classification, synthetic-data, vLLM, dataset-creation
Hardware Selection
Reference: HF Jobs Hardware Docs (updated 07/2025)
| Workload Type | Recommended Hardware | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Data processing, testing | cpu-basic, cpu-upgrade | Lightweight tasks |
| Small models, demos | t4-small | <1B models, quick tests |
| Medium models | t4-medium, l4x1 | 1-7B models |
| Large models, production | a10g-small, a10g-large | 7-13B models |
| Very large models | a100-large | 13B+ models |
| Batch inference | a10g-large, a100-large | High-throughput |
| Multi-GPU workloads | l4x4, a10g-largex2, a10g-largex4 | Parallel/large models |
| TPU workloads | v5e-1x1, v5e-2x2, v5e-2x4 | JAX/Flax, TPU-optimized |
All Available Flavors:
- CPU:
cpu-basic,cpu-upgrade - GPU:
t4-small,t4-medium,l4x1,l4x4,a10g-small,a10g-large,a10g-largex2,a10g-largex4,a100-large - TPU:
v5e-1x1,v5e-2x2,v5e-2x4
Guidelines:
- Start with smaller hardware for testing
- Scale up based on actual needs
- Use multi-GPU for parallel workloads or large models
- Use TPUs for JAX/Flax workloads
- See
references/hardware_guide.mdfor detailed specifications
Critical: Saving Results
⚠️ EPHEMERAL ENVIRONMENT—MUST PERSIST RESULTS
The Jobs environment is temporary. All files are deleted when the job ends. If results aren't persisted, ALL WORK IS LOST.
Persistence Options
1. Push to Hugging Face Hub (Recommended)
# Push models
model.push_to_hub("username/model-name", token=os.environ["HF_TOKEN"])
# Push datasets
dataset.push_to_hub("username/dataset-name", token=os.environ["HF_TOKEN"])
# Push artifacts
api.upload_file(
path_or_fileobj="results.json",
path_in_repo="results.json",
repo_id="username/results",
token=os.environ["HF_TOKEN"]
)2. Use External Storage
# Upload to S3, GCS, etc.
import boto3
s3 = boto3.client('s3')
s3.upload_file('results.json', 'my-bucket', 'results.json')3. Send Results via API
# POST results to your API
import requests
requests.post("https://your-api.com/results", json=results)Required Configuration for Hub Push
In job submission:
{
"secrets": {"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"} # Enables authentication
}In script:
import os
from huggingface_hub import HfApi
# Token automatically available from secrets
api = HfApi(token=os.environ.get("HF_TOKEN"))
# Push your results
api.upload_file(...)Verification Checklist
Before submitting:
- [ ] Results persistence method chosen
- [ ]
secrets=\{"HF_TOKEN": "$HF_TOKEN"\}if using Hub - [ ] Script handles missing token gracefully
- [ ] Test persistence path works
See: references/hub_saving.md for detailed Hub persistence guide
Timeout Management
⚠️ DEFAULT: 30 MINUTES
Jobs automatically stop after the timeout. For long-running tasks like training, always set a custom timeout.
Setting Timeouts
MCP Tool:
{
"timeout": "2h" # 2 hours
}Supported formats:
- Integer/float: seconds (e.g.,
300= 5 minutes) - String with suffix:
"5m"(minutes),"2h"(hours),"1d"(days) - Examples:
"90m","2h","1.5h",300,"1d"
Python API:
from huggingface_hub import run_job, run_uv_job
run_job(image="python:3.12", command=[...], timeout="2h")
run_uv_job("script.py", timeout=7200) # 2 hours in secondsTimeout Guidelines
| Scenario | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quick test | 10-30 min | Verify setup |
| Data processing | 1-2 hours | Depends on data size |
| Batch inference | 2-4 hours | Large batches |
| Experiments | 4-8 hours | Multiple runs |
| Long-running | 8-24 hours | Production workloads |
Always add 20-30% buffer for setup, network delays, and cleanup.
On timeout: Job killed immediately, all unsaved progress lost
Cost Estimation
General guidelines:
Total Cost = (Hours of runtime) × (Cost per hour)Example calculations:
Quick test:
- Hardware: cpu-basic ($0.10/hour)
- Time: 15 minutes (0.25 hours)
- Cost: $0.03
Data processing:
- Hardware: l4x1 ($2.50/hour)
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: $5.00
Batch inference:
- Hardware: a10g-large ($5/hour)
- Time: 4 hours
- Cost: $20.00
Cost optimization tips:
- Start small - Test on cpu-basic or t4-small
- Monitor runtime - Set appropriate timeouts
- Use checkpoints - Resume if job fails
- Optimize code - Reduce unnecessary compute
- Choose right hardware - Don't over-provision
Monitoring and Tracking
Check Job Status
MCP Tool:
# List all jobs
hf_jobs("ps")
# Inspect specific job
hf_jobs("inspect", {"job_id": "your-job-id"})
# View logs
hf_jobs("logs", {"job_id": "your-job-id"})
# Cancel a job
hf_jobs("cancel", {"job_id": "your-job-id"})Python API:
from huggingface_hub import list_jobs, inspect_job, fetch_job_logs, cancel_job
# List your jobs
jobs = list_jobs()
# List running jobs only
running = [j for j in list_jobs() if j.status.stage == "RUNNING"]
# Inspect specific job
job_info = inspect_job(job_id="your-job-id")
# View logs
for log in fetch_job_logs(job_id="your-job-id"):
print(log)
# Cancel a job
cancel_job(job_id="your-job-id")CLI:
hf jobs ps # List jobs