Bitbucket Pipelines hangs with 'Step exceeded processing limits': check variable totals

TL;DR

Concatenate them and check the total: remove variables or shorten very long values. 'Step exceeded processing limits and has timed out' can mean the concatenated names and values of all Workspace, Repository, and Deployment variables exceed 120,000 characters.

Fix

1. Concatenate them and check the total: remove variables or shorten very long values. Expected: You see the expected output instead of the problem.

When to use

• You are dealing with this situation.
• The symptom matches: Bitbucket Pipelines hangs with 'Step exceeded processing limits': check variable totals.

When NOT to use

• Unrelated issues with a different cause.
• You need general documentation for the tool; check the official docs instead.

Compatibility

Reported per the linked source. Source: https://support.atlassian.com/bitbucket-cloud/kb/pipeline-build-failed-with-step-exceeded-processing-limits-and-has-time.

Variant phrasings

Bitbucket Pipelines hangs with 'Step exceeded processing limits': check variable totals

Why it happens

A build that hangs for 2 hours then times out can be a variable-size limit, not a hung script.

Edge cases

• If your error message differs even slightly, this is probably a different issue; search the exact text.
• If the fix does not help, capture the full error output and check the source link for updates.

Source

https://support.atlassian.com/bitbucket-cloud/kb/pipeline-build-failed-with-step-exceeded-processing-limits-and-has-timed-out/

Source: A build that hangs for 2 hours then times out can be a variable-size limit, not a hung script.

Verified resolution: [Atlassian support]: 'Step exceeded processing limits and has timed out' can mean the concatenated names and values of all Workspace, Repository, and Deployment variables exceed 120,000 characters. The build hangs in a queued state or times out after 2 hours. Concatenate them and check the total: remove variables or shorten very long values. Secured variable values cannot be read back from the UI or API, so you need to know their values. If the total is under the limit and it still fails, raise a support ticket.

Source URL: https://support.atlassian.com/bitbucket-cloud/kb/pipeline-build-failed-with-step-exceeded-processing-limits-and-has-timed-out/