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In this lesson we examine a script template example in Argo Workflows. This workflow demonstrates a simple script template that runs a short Python script inside a container image. The script’s stdout is captured and exposed as the template output (outputs.result), allowing later steps to consume the result. What this workflow demonstrates
  • Using metadata.generateName to create a unique workflow name with the prefix random-number-.
  • Defining a single entrypoint (random-number) that uses a script template.
  • Supplying an inline script via the source field; the script runs inside the specified container image.
  • Capturing the script stdout and exposing it as the template output.
Example Workflow (YAML) 
apiVersion: argoproj.io/v1alpha1
kind: Workflow
metadata:
  generateName: random-number-
spec:
  entrypoint: random-number
  templates:
  - name: random-number
    script:
      image: python:3.6-alpine
      command: [python]
      source: |
        import random
        i = random.randint(100, 2000)
        print(i)
Fields explained
FieldPurposeExample
metadata.generateNameCreate a unique workflow name using a fixed prefixrandom-number-
spec.entrypointThe template that starts executionrandom-number
script.imageContainer image that runs the scriptpython:3.6-alpine
script.commandCommand invoked to execute the script[python]
script.sourceInline script text written to a file and executed inside the image; stdout is captured as the template outputThe Python code shown above
How the script template works
  • The text in script.source is written into a temporary file inside the container.
  • The container executes the script using the specified command and image.
  • Anything printed to stdout by the script is captured by Argo and made available as outputs.result, which you can reference in later templates using standard Argo templating.
Run the workflow
  • From the Argo Web UI: paste the YAML and submit. Optionally switch to the Graph view to see a single node representing the random-number template.
  • From the cluster using kubectl:
kubectl apply -f random-number-workflow.yaml
  • Using the Argo CLI (if installed):
argo submit --watch random-number-workflow.yaml
View logs and outputs
  • In the UI, open the workflow, click the node, then click Logs to inspect stdout.
  • With the Argo CLI, you can stream logs (replace the workflow name as appropriate):
argo logs <workflow-name> --follow
Example node output (the workflow prints a randomly chosen integer): 
1728
A browser screenshot of the Argo Workflows web UI showing a single completed workflow node labeled "random-number-7krn6" with a green checkmark. The top toolbar shows buttons like Resubmit, Delete, Logs, Share, and a vertical icon sidebar runs down the left.
The stdout of a script template is captured and available as the template output (outputs.result). Reference it in subsequent templates using Argo’s templating syntax to pass values between steps.
Further reading and references

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