> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bulkgrid.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Timeouts and Long-Running Jobs

> Plan for variable completion times across synchronous and asynchronous Bulkgrid workflows.

Bulkgrid exposes both synchronous and asynchronous behaviors, and customers should design around that distinction.

## Search is synchronous

`POST /api/v1/search` returns immediately in the response cycle. Your application should still set sensible HTTP client timeouts, but you do not need run polling for search.

## Extraction and crawl workflows are asynchronous

For extraction, crawl, and deep crawl workflows:

* the create request returns a run object
* completion time depends on workload and source behavior
* your application should poll status rather than waiting on a single long request

## Recommended timeout strategy

* keep create-run request timeouts short enough to fail fast on network issues
* use polling for job completion instead of long blocking HTTP calls
* enforce a maximum total wait time in your own system
* move long-running workflows to background jobs when user experience depends on responsiveness