Abstract: Software packages may be installed, uninstalled and/or updated across a group of computing instances by way of a single issuance of a user request. The request may include information such as a software package name, a software package version, an action (e.g., install or uninstall), and one or more operating constraints for the software package. For an installation request, an agent on a given computing instance may process the request by accessing a manifest that indicates various computing instance characteristics (e.g., operating system types, architecture types, etc.) and various respective available versions of the software package. The agent may then select, based on characteristics of the computing instance, a package type for the computing instance. An installation request may also allow operating constraints (e.g. regarding usage of processing, memory, I/O and other resources) to be set and enforced for the software package.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for decentralized task execution that bypasses a task execution service are disclosed. A connection is established over one or more communication channels between a task execution interface and agent software of a compute instance. The agent software is executable to receive task execution documents from a task execution service and initiate local task execution based (at least in part) on the task execution documents. A task execution document is sent from the task execution interface to the agent software over the one or more channels. In sending the task execution document from the task execution interface to the compute instance, the task execution service is bypassed. Execution of one or more tasks is initiated on the compute instance by the agent software based (at least in part) on the task execution document.

Abstract: Software packages may be installed, uninstalled and/or updated across a group of computing instances by way of a single issuance of a user request. The request may include information such as a software package name, a software package version, an action (e.g., install or uninstall), and one or more operating constraints for the software package. For an installation request, an agent on a given computing instance may process the request by accessing a manifest that indicates various computing instance characteristics (e.g., operating system types, architecture types, etc.) and various respective available versions of the software package. The agent may then select, based on characteristics of the computing instance, a package type for the computing instance. An installation request may also allow operating constraints (e.g. regarding usage of processing, memory, I/O and other resources) to be set and enforced for the software package.