Databricks Model Serving

<!-- AUTO-GENERATED by export-skills.py — DO NOT EDIT -->
---
name: databricks-model-serving
tags: [cloud, databricks]
---

# Databricks Model Serving

Deploy MLflow models and AI agents to scalable REST API endpoints.

## Quick Decision: What Are You Deploying?

| Model Type                                | Pattern                     | Reference                                |
| ----------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Traditional ML** (sklearn, xgboost)     | `mlflow.sklearn.autolog()`  | [1-classical-ml.md](1-classical-ml.md)   |
| **Custom Python model**                   | `mlflow.pyfunc.PythonModel` | [2-custom-pyfunc.md](2-custom-pyfunc.md) |
| **GenAI Agent** (LangGraph, tool-calling) | `ResponsesAgent`            | [3-genai-agents.md](3-genai-agents.md)   |

## Prerequisites

- **DBR 16.1+** recommended (pre-installed GenAI packages)
- Unity Catalog enabled workspace
- Model Serving enabled

## Reference Files

| Topic                  | File                                                   | When to Read                     |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------- |
| Classical ML           | [1-classical-ml.md](1-classical-ml.md)                 | sklearn, xgboost, autolog        |
| Custom PyFunc          | [2-custom-pyfunc.md](2-custom-pyfunc.md)               | Custom preprocessing, signatures |
| GenAI Agents           | [3-genai-agents.md](3-genai-agents.md)                 | ResponsesAgent, LangGraph        |
| Tools Integration      | [4-tools-integration.md](4-tools-integration.md)       | UC Functions, Vector Search      |
| Development & Testing  | [5-development-testing.md](5-development-testing.md)   | MCP workflow, iteration          |
| Logging & Registration | [6-logging-registration.md](6-logging-registration.md) | mlflow.pyfunc.log_model          |
| Deployment             | [7-deployment.md](7-deployment.md)                     | Job-based async deployment       |
| Querying Endpoints     | [8-querying-endpoints.md](8-querying-endpoints.md)     | SDK, REST, MCP tools             |
| Package Requirements   | [9-package-requirements.md](9-package-requirements.md) | DBR versions, pip                |

---

## Quick Start: Deploy a GenAI Agent

### Step 1: Install Packages (in notebook or via MCP)

```python
%pip install -U mlflow==3.6.0 databricks-langchain langgraph==0.3.4 databricks-agents pydantic
dbutils.library.restartPython()
```

Or via MCP:

```
execute_databricks_command(code="%pip install -U mlflow==3.6.0 databricks-langchain langgraph==0.3.4 databricks-agents pydantic")
```

### Step 2: Create Agent File

Create `agent.py` locally with `ResponsesAgent` pattern (see
[3-genai-agents.md](3-genai-agents.md)).

### Step 3: Upload to Workspace

```
upload_folder(
    local_folder="./my_agent",
    workspace_folder="/Workspace/Users/you@company.com/my_agent"
)
```

### Step 4: Test Agent

```
run_python_file_on_databricks(
    file_path="./my_agent/test_agent.py",
    cluster_id="<cluster_id>"
)
```

### Step 5: Log Model

```
run_python_file_on_databricks(
    file_path="./my_agent/log_model.py",
    cluster_id="<cluster_id>"
)
```

### Step 6: Deploy (Async via Job)

See [7-deployment.md](7-deployment.md) for job-based deployment that doesn't timeout.

### Step 7: Query Endpoint

```
query_serving_endpoint(
    name="my-agent-endpoint",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
)
```

---

## Quick Start: Deploy a Classical ML Model

```python
import mlflow
import mlflow.sklearn
from sklearn.linear_model import LogisticRegression

# Enable autolog with auto-registration
mlflow.sklearn.autolog(
    log_input_examples=True,
    registered_model_name="main.models.my_classifier"
)

# Train - model is logged and registered automatically
model = LogisticRegression()
model.fit(X_train, y_train)
```

Then deploy via UI or SDK. See [1-classical-ml.md](1-classical-ml.md).

---

## MCP Tools

> **If MCP tools are not available**, use the SDK/CLI examples in the reference files below.

### Development & Testing

| Tool                            | Purpose                         |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `upload_folder`                 | Upload agent files to workspace |
| `run_python_file_on_databricks` | Test agent, log model           |
| `execute_databricks_command`    | Install packages, quick tests   |

### Deployment

| Tool          | Purpose                          |
| ------------- | -------------------------------- |
| `create_job`  | Create deployment job (one-time) |
| `run_job_now` | Kick off deployment (async)      |
| `get_run`     | Check deployment job status      |

### Querying

| Tool                          | Purpose                    |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| `get_serving_endpoint_status` | Check if endpoint is READY |
| `query_serving_endpoint`      | Send requests to endpoint  |
| `list_serving_endpoints`      | List all endpoints         |

---

## Common Workflows

### Check Endpoint Status After Deployment

```
get_serving_endpoint_status(name="my-agent-endpoint")
```

Returns:

```json
{
    "name": "my-agent-endpoint",
    "state": "READY",
    "served_entities": [...]
}
```

### Query a Chat/Agent Endpoint

```
query_serving_endpoint(
    name="my-agent-endpoint",
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "What is Databricks?"}
    ],
    max_tokens=500
)
```

### Query a Traditional ML Endpoint

```
query_serving_endpoint(
    name="sklearn-classifier",
    dataframe_records=[
        {"age": 25, "income": 50000, "credit_score": 720}
    ]
)
```

---

## Common Issues

| Issue                      | Solution                                                             |
| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Invalid output format**  | Use `self.create_text_output_item(text, id)` - NOT raw dicts!        |
| **Endpoint NOT_READY**     | Deployment takes ~15 min. Use `get_serving_endpoint_status` to poll. |
| **Package not found**      | Specify exact versions in `pip_requirements` when logging model      |
| **Tool timeout**           | Use job-based deployment, not synchronous calls                      |
| **Auth error on endpoint** | Ensure `resources` specified in `log_model` for auto passthrough     |
| **Model not found**        | Check Unity Catalog path: `catalog.schema.model_name`                |

### Critical: ResponsesAgent Output Format

**WRONG** - raw dicts don't work:

```python
return ResponsesAgentResponse(output=[{"role": "assistant", "content": "..."}])
```

**CORRECT** - use helper methods:

```python
return ResponsesAgentResponse(
    output=[self.create_text_output_item(text="...", id="msg_1")]
)
```

Available helper methods:

- `self.create_text_output_item(text, id)` - text responses
- `self.create_function_call_item(id, call_id, name, arguments)` - tool calls
- `self.create_function_call_output_item(call_id, output)` - tool results

---

## Resources

- [Model Serving Documentation](https://docs.databricks.com/machine-learning/model-serving/)
- [MLflow 3 ResponsesAgent](https://mlflow.org/docs/latest/llms/responses-agent-intro/)
- [Agent Framework](https://docs.databricks.com/generative-ai/agent-framework/)

<!-- Source: .faos/custom/skills/cloud/databricks/databricks-model-serving/SKILL.md -->