diff --git a/polyapi/api.py b/polyapi/api.py
index fc243ba..5b0ffde 100644
--- a/polyapi/api.py
+++ b/polyapi/api.py
@@ -35,6 +35,25 @@ def {function_name}(
         return {api_response_type}(resp.json())  # type: ignore
 
 
+async def {function_name}_async(
+{args}
+) -> {api_response_type}:
+    \"""{function_description}
+
+    Function ID: {function_id}
+    \"""
+    if get_direct_execute_config():
+        resp = await direct_execute_async("{function_type}", "{function_id}", {data})
+        return {api_response_type}({{
+            "status": resp.status_code,
+            "headers": dict(resp.headers),
+            "data": resp.json()
+        }})  # type: ignore
+    else:
+        resp = await execute_async("{function_type}", "{function_id}", {data})
+        return {api_response_type}(resp.json())  # type: ignore
+
+
 """
 
 
diff --git a/polyapi/auth.py b/polyapi/auth.py
index 3d6c325..66a07e0 100644
--- a/polyapi/auth.py
+++ b/polyapi/auth.py
@@ -117,6 +117,16 @@ def introspectToken(token: str) -> AuthFunctionResponse:
     url = "/auth-providers/{function_id}/introspect"
     resp = execute_post(url, {{"token": token}})
     return resp.json()
+
+
+async def introspectToken_async(token: str) -> AuthFunctionResponse:
+    \"""{description}
+
+    Function ID: {function_id}
+    \"""
+    url = "/auth-providers/{function_id}/introspect"
+    resp = await execute_post_async(url, {{"token": token}})
+    return resp.json()
 """
 
 REFRESH_TOKEN_TEMPLATE = """
@@ -128,6 +138,16 @@ def refreshToken(token: str) -> AuthFunctionResponse:
     url = "/auth-providers/{function_id}/refresh"
     resp = execute_post(url, {{"token": token}})
     return resp.json()
+
+
+async def refreshToken_async(token: str) -> AuthFunctionResponse:
+    \"""{description}
+
+    Function ID: {function_id}
+    \"""
+    url = "/auth-providers/{function_id}/refresh"
+    resp = await execute_post_async(url, {{"token": token}})
+    return resp.json()
 """
 
 REVOKE_TOKEN_TEMPLATE = """
@@ -142,6 +162,19 @@ def revokeToken(token: str) -> Optional[AuthFunctionResponse]:
         return resp.json()
     except:
         return None
+
+
+async def revokeToken_async(token: str) -> Optional[AuthFunctionResponse]:
+    \"""{description}
+
+    Function ID: {function_id}
+    \"""
+    url = "/auth-providers/{function_id}/revoke"
+    resp = await execute_post_async(url, {{"token": token}})
+    try:
+        return resp.json()
+    except:
+        return None
 """
 
 
diff --git a/polyapi/execute.py b/polyapi/execute.py
index 5d75048..d0bf9e3 100644
--- a/polyapi/execute.py
+++ b/polyapi/execute.py
@@ -1,109 +1,224 @@
-from typing import Dict, Optional
-import requests
+import httpx
 import os
 import logging
-from requests import Response
 from polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url, get_mtls_config
 from polyapi.exceptions import PolyApiException
+from polyapi import http_client
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("poly")
 
-def direct_execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> Response:
-    """ execute a specific function id/type
-    """
-    api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
-    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
-    url = f"{api_url}/functions/{function_type}/{function_id}/direct-execute"
-    
-    endpoint_info = requests.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
-    if endpoint_info.status_code < 200 or endpoint_info.status_code >= 300:
-        error_content = endpoint_info.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+def _check_response_error(resp, function_type, function_id, data):
+    if resp.status_code < 200 or resp.status_code >= 300:
+        error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
         if function_type == 'api' and os.getenv("LOGS_ENABLED"):
-            raise PolyApiException(f"Error executing api function with id: {function_id}. Status code: {endpoint_info.status_code}. Request data: {data}, Response: {error_content}")
+            logger.error(f"Error executing api function with id: {function_id}. Status code: {resp.status_code}. Request data: {data}, Response: {error_content}")
         elif function_type != 'api':
-            raise PolyApiException(f"{endpoint_info.status_code}: {error_content}")
-    
-    endpoint_info_data = endpoint_info.json()
+            raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
+
+
+def _check_endpoint_error(resp, function_type, function_id, data):
+    if resp.status_code < 200 or resp.status_code >= 300:
+        error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+        if function_type == 'api' and os.getenv("LOGS_ENABLED"):
+            raise PolyApiException(f"Error executing api function with id: {function_id}. Status code: {resp.status_code}. Request data: {data}, Response: {error_content}")
+        elif function_type != 'api':
+            raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
+
+
+def _build_direct_execute_params(endpoint_info_data):
     request_params = endpoint_info_data.copy()
     request_params.pop("url", None)
-    
     if "maxRedirects" in request_params:
-        request_params["allow_redirects"] = request_params.pop("maxRedirects") > 0
-    
+        request_params["follow_redirects"] = request_params.pop("maxRedirects") > 0
+    return request_params
+
+
+def _sync_direct_execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
+    url = f"{api_url}/functions/{function_type}/{function_id}/direct-execute"
+
+    endpoint_info = http_client.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
+    _check_endpoint_error(endpoint_info, function_type, function_id, data)
+
+    endpoint_info_data = endpoint_info.json()
+    request_params = _build_direct_execute_params(endpoint_info_data)
+
     has_mtls, cert_path, key_path, ca_path = get_mtls_config()
-    
+
+    # Direct-execute hits URL that may need custom TLS
+    # settings (mTLS certs or disabled verification). httpx Client.request()
+    # doesn't accept per-request transport kwargs, so use one-off calls.
     if has_mtls:
-        resp = requests.request(
+        resp = httpx.request(
             url=endpoint_info_data["url"],
             cert=(cert_path, key_path),
             verify=ca_path,
+            timeout=None,
             **request_params
         )
     else:
-        resp = requests.request(
+        resp = httpx.request(
             url=endpoint_info_data["url"],
             verify=False,
+            timeout=None,
             **request_params
         )
 
-    if (resp.status_code < 200 or resp.status_code >= 300):
-        error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-        if function_type == 'api' and os.getenv("LOGS_ENABLED"):
-            logger.error(f"Error executing api function with id: {function_id}. Status code: {resp.status_code}. Request data: {data}, Response: {error_content}")
-        elif function_type != 'api':   
-            raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")    
-    
+    _check_response_error(resp, function_type, function_id, data)
+    return resp
+
+
+async def _async_direct_execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
+    url = f"{api_url}/functions/{function_type}/{function_id}/direct-execute"
+
+    endpoint_info = await http_client.async_post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
+    _check_endpoint_error(endpoint_info, function_type, function_id, data)
+
+    endpoint_info_data = endpoint_info.json()
+    request_params = _build_direct_execute_params(endpoint_info_data)
+
+    has_mtls, cert_path, key_path, ca_path = get_mtls_config()
+
+    # One-off async client for custom TLS settings on external URLs.
+    if has_mtls:
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(
+            cert=(cert_path, key_path), verify=ca_path, timeout=None
+        ) as client:
+            resp = await client.request(
+                url=endpoint_info_data["url"], **request_params
+            )
+    else:
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=False, timeout=None) as client:
+            resp = await client.request(
+                url=endpoint_info_data["url"], **request_params
+            )
+
+    _check_response_error(resp, function_type, function_id, data)
     return resp
 
-def execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> Response:
-    """ execute a specific function id/type
+
+def direct_execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    """ execute a specific function id/type (sync)
     """
+    return _sync_direct_execute(function_type, function_id, data)
+
+
+async def direct_execute_async(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    """ execute a specific function id/type (async)
+    """
+    return await _async_direct_execute(function_type, function_id, data)
+
+
+def _sync_execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
     api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
     headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
+    url = f"{api_url}/functions/{function_type}/{function_id}/execute"
 
+    resp = http_client.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
+    _check_response_error(resp, function_type, function_id, data)
+    return resp
+
+
+async def _async_execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
     url = f"{api_url}/functions/{function_type}/{function_id}/execute"
-    
-    # Make the request
-    resp = requests.post(
-        url, 
-        json=data, 
-        headers=headers,
-    )
-
-    if (resp.status_code < 200 or resp.status_code >= 300) and os.getenv("LOGS_ENABLED"):
-        error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-        if function_type == 'api' and os.getenv("LOGS_ENABLED"):
-            logger.error(f"Error executing api function with id: {function_id}. Status code: {resp.status_code}. Request data: {data}, Response: {error_content}")
-        elif function_type != 'api':
-            raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
 
+    resp = await http_client.async_post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
+    _check_response_error(resp, function_type, function_id, data)
     return resp
 
 
-def execute_post(path, data):
+def execute(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    """ execute a specific function id/type (sync)
+    """
+    return _sync_execute(function_type, function_id, data)
+
+
+async def execute_async(function_type, function_id, data) -> httpx.Response:
+    """ execute a specific function id/type (async)
+    """
+    return await _async_execute(function_type, function_id, data)
+
+
+def _sync_execute_post(path, data):
+    api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
+    return http_client.post(api_url + path, json=data, headers=headers)
+
+
+async def _async_execute_post(path, data):
     api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
     headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
-    resp = requests.post(api_url + path, json=data, headers=headers)
+    return await http_client.async_post(api_url + path, json=data, headers=headers)
+
+
+def execute_post(path, data):
+    return _sync_execute_post(path, data)
+
+
+async def execute_post_async(path, data):
+    return await _async_execute_post(path, data)
+
+
+def _sync_variable_get(variable_id: str) -> httpx.Response:
+    api_key, base_url = get_api_key_and_url()
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
+    url = f"{base_url}/variables/{variable_id}/value"
+    resp = http_client.get(url, headers=headers)
+    if resp.status_code != 200 and resp.status_code != 201:
+        error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+        raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
     return resp
 
 
-def variable_get(variable_id: str) -> Response:
+async def _async_variable_get(variable_id: str) -> httpx.Response:
     api_key, base_url = get_api_key_and_url()
     headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
     url = f"{base_url}/variables/{variable_id}/value"
-    resp = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
+    resp = await http_client.async_get(url, headers=headers)
     if resp.status_code != 200 and resp.status_code != 201:
         error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
         raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
     return resp
 
 
-def variable_update(variable_id: str, value) -> Response:
+def variable_get(variable_id: str) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _sync_variable_get(variable_id)
+
+
+async def variable_get_async(variable_id: str) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _async_variable_get(variable_id)
+
+
+def _sync_variable_update(variable_id: str, value) -> httpx.Response:
     api_key, base_url = get_api_key_and_url()
     headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
     url = f"{base_url}/variables/{variable_id}"
-    resp = requests.patch(url, data={"value": value}, headers=headers)
+    resp = http_client.patch(url, data={"value": value}, headers=headers)
     if resp.status_code != 200 and resp.status_code != 201:
         error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
         raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
-    return resp
\ No newline at end of file
+    return resp
+
+
+async def _async_variable_update(variable_id: str, value) -> httpx.Response:
+    api_key, base_url = get_api_key_and_url()
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
+    url = f"{base_url}/variables/{variable_id}"
+    resp = await http_client.async_patch(url, data={"value": value}, headers=headers)
+    if resp.status_code != 200 and resp.status_code != 201:
+        error_content = resp.content.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+        raise PolyApiException(f"{resp.status_code}: {error_content}")
+    return resp
+
+
+def variable_update(variable_id: str, value) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _sync_variable_update(variable_id, value)
+
+
+async def variable_update_async(variable_id: str, value) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _async_variable_update(variable_id, value)
diff --git a/polyapi/function_cli.py b/polyapi/function_cli.py
index 219bbb0..2ce79a8 100644
--- a/polyapi/function_cli.py
+++ b/polyapi/function_cli.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import sys
 from typing import Any, List, Optional
-import requests
-
+from polyapi import http_client
 from polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url
 from polyapi.utils import get_auth_headers, print_green, print_red, print_yellow
 from polyapi.parser import parse_function_code, get_jsonschema_type
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ def function_add_or_update(
         sys.exit(1)
 
     headers = get_auth_headers(api_key)
-    resp = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=data)
+    resp = http_client.post(url, headers=headers, json=data)
     if resp.status_code in [200, 201]:
         print_green("DEPLOYED")
         function_id = resp.json()["id"]
@@ -126,5 +125,5 @@ def spec_delete(function_type: str, function_id: str):
         print(f"Unknown function type: {function_type}")
         sys.exit(1)
     headers = get_auth_headers(api_key)
-    resp = requests.delete(url, headers=headers)
+    resp = http_client.delete(url, headers=headers)
     return resp
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/polyapi/generate.py b/polyapi/generate.py
index 00366c9..883f0ca 100644
--- a/polyapi/generate.py
+++ b/polyapi/generate.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import json
-import requests
 import os
 import uuid
 import shutil
@@ -20,6 +19,7 @@
 from .utils import add_import_to_init, get_auth_headers, init_the_init, print_green, to_func_namespace
 from .variables import generate_variables
 from .poly_tables import generate_tables
+from . import http_client
 from .config import get_api_key_and_url, get_direct_execute_config, get_cached_generate_args
 
 SUPPORTED_FUNCTION_TYPES = {
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def get_specs(contexts: Optional[List[str]] = None, names: Optional[List[str]] =
     if get_direct_execute_config():
         params["apiFunctionDirectExecute"] = "true"
 
-    resp = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)
+    resp = http_client.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)
     if resp.status_code == 200:
         return resp.json()
     else:
diff --git a/polyapi/http_client.py b/polyapi/http_client.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c97d06f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/polyapi/http_client.py
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import asyncio
+import httpx
+
+_sync_client: httpx.Client | None = None
+_async_client: httpx.AsyncClient | None = None
+
+
+def _get_sync_client() -> httpx.Client:
+    global _sync_client
+    if _sync_client is None:
+        _sync_client = httpx.Client(timeout=None)
+    return _sync_client
+
+
+def _get_async_client() -> httpx.AsyncClient:
+    global _async_client
+    if _async_client is None:
+        _async_client = httpx.AsyncClient(timeout=None)
+    return _async_client
+
+
+def post(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _get_sync_client().post(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+async def async_post(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _get_async_client().post(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+def get(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _get_sync_client().get(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+async def async_get(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _get_async_client().get(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+def patch(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _get_sync_client().patch(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+async def async_patch(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _get_async_client().patch(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+def delete(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _get_sync_client().delete(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+async def async_delete(url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _get_async_client().delete(url, **kwargs)
+
+
+def request(method, url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return _get_sync_client().request(method, url, **kwargs)
+
+
+async def async_request(method, url, **kwargs) -> httpx.Response:
+    return await _get_async_client().request(method, url, **kwargs)
+
+
+def close():
+    global _sync_client
+    if _sync_client is not None:
+        _sync_client.close()
+        _sync_client = None
+
+async def close_async():
+    global _sync_client, _async_client
+    close()
+    if _async_client is not None:
+        await _async_client.aclose()
+        _async_client = None
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/polyapi/poly_tables.py b/polyapi/poly_tables.py
index f98de9a..4a391fa 100644
--- a/polyapi/poly_tables.py
+++ b/polyapi/poly_tables.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import os
-import requests
+from polyapi import http_client
 from typing_extensions import NotRequired, TypedDict
 from typing import (
     List,
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def execute_query(table_id, method, query):
         headers = {"x-poly-execution-id": polyCustom.get("executionId")}
         if auth_key:
             headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {auth_key}"
-        response = requests.post(url, json=query, headers=headers)
+        response = http_client.post(url, json=query, headers=headers)
         response.raise_for_status()
         return response.json()
     except Exception as e:
diff --git a/polyapi/prepare.py b/polyapi/prepare.py
index b1580e2..b13b337 100644
--- a/polyapi/prepare.py
+++ b/polyapi/prepare.py
@@ -2,8 +2,7 @@
 import sys
 import subprocess
 from typing import List, Tuple, Literal
-import requests
-
+from polyapi import http_client
 from polyapi.utils import get_auth_headers
 from polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url
 from polyapi.parser import parse_function_code
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ def get_server_function_description(description: str, arguments, code: str) -> s
     api_key, api_url = get_api_key_and_url()
     headers = get_auth_headers(api_key)
     data = {"description": description, "arguments": arguments, "code": code}
-    response = requests.post(f"{api_url}/functions/server/description-generation", headers=headers, json=data)
+    response = http_client.post(f"{api_url}/functions/server/description-generation", headers=headers, json=data)
     return response.json()
 
 def get_client_function_description(description: str, arguments, code: str) -> str:
@@ -40,7 +39,7 @@ def get_client_function_description(description: str, arguments, code: str) -> s
     headers = get_auth_headers(api_key)
     # Simulated API call to generate client function descriptions
     data = {"description": description, "arguments": arguments, "code": code}
-    response = requests.post(f"{api_url}/functions/client/description-generation", headers=headers, json=data)
+    response = http_client.post(f"{api_url}/functions/client/description-generation", headers=headers, json=data)
     return response.json()
 
 def fill_in_missing_function_details(deployable: DeployableRecord, code: str) -> DeployableRecord:
diff --git a/polyapi/rendered_spec.py b/polyapi/rendered_spec.py
index 2206417..e746a56 100644
--- a/polyapi/rendered_spec.py
+++ b/polyapi/rendered_spec.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 from typing import Optional
 
-import requests
+from polyapi import http_client
 from polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url
 from polyapi.generate import read_cached_specs, render_spec
 from polyapi.typedefs import SpecificationDto
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def update_rendered_spec(spec: SpecificationDto):
 
     url = f"{base_url}/functions/rendered-specs"
     headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
-    resp = requests.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
+    resp = http_client.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
     assert resp.status_code == 201, (resp.text, resp.status_code)
 
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def _get_spec(spec_id: str, no_types: bool = False) -> Optional[SpecificationDto
     url = f"{base_url}/specs"
     headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
     params = {"noTypes": str(no_types).lower()}
-    resp = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)
+    resp = http_client.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)
     if resp.status_code == 200:
         specs = resp.json()
         for spec in specs:
diff --git a/polyapi/server.py b/polyapi/server.py
index 53b173e..9ee8ae0 100644
--- a/polyapi/server.py
+++ b/polyapi/server.py
@@ -24,6 +24,20 @@ def {function_name}(
         return resp.text  # type: ignore # fallback for debugging
 
 
+async def {function_name}_async(
+{args}
+) -> {return_type_name}:
+    \"""{function_description}
+
+    Function ID: {function_id}
+    \"""
+    resp = await execute_async("{function_type}", "{function_id}", {data})
+    try:
+        return {return_action}
+    except:
+        return resp.text  # type: ignore # fallback for debugging
+
+
 """
 
 
diff --git a/polyapi/sync.py b/polyapi/sync.py
index 850538b..2b82c45 100644
--- a/polyapi/sync.py
+++ b/polyapi/sync.py
@@ -2,8 +2,7 @@
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import List, Dict
 from typing_extensions import cast # type: ignore
-import requests
-
+from polyapi import http_client
 from polyapi.utils import get_auth_headers
 from polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url
 from polyapi.parser import get_jsonschema_type
@@ -35,10 +34,10 @@ def remove_deployable_function(deployable: SyncDeployment) -> bool:
         raise Exception("Missing api key!")
     headers = get_auth_headers(api_key)
     url = f'{deployable["instance"]}/functions/{deployable["type"].replace("-function", "")}/{deployable["id"]}'
-    response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
+    response = http_client.get(url, headers=headers)
     if response.status_code != 200:
         return False
-    requests.delete(url, headers=headers)
+    http_client.delete(url, headers=headers)
     return True
 
 def remove_deployable(deployable: SyncDeployment) -> bool:
@@ -65,7 +64,7 @@ def sync_function_and_get_id(deployable: SyncDeployment, code: str) -> str:
         "returnTypeSchema": deployable["types"]["returns"]["typeSchema"],
         "arguments": [{**p, "key": p["name"], "type": get_jsonschema_type(p["type"])  } for p in deployable["types"]["params"]],
     }
-    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
+    response = http_client.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
     response.raise_for_status()
     return response.json()['id']
 
diff --git a/polyapi/utils.py b/polyapi/utils.py
index fb57199..1a6d168 100644
--- a/polyapi/utils.py
+++ b/polyapi/utils.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 # this string should be in every __init__ file.
 # it contains all the imports needed for the function or variable code to run
-CODE_IMPORTS = "from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional, Callable\nfrom typing_extensions import TypedDict, NotRequired\nimport logging\nimport requests\nimport socketio  # type: ignore\nfrom polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url, get_direct_execute_config\nfrom polyapi.execute import execute, execute_post, variable_get, variable_update, direct_execute\n\n"
+CODE_IMPORTS = "from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional, Callable\nfrom typing_extensions import TypedDict, NotRequired\nimport logging\nimport requests\nimport socketio  # type: ignore\nfrom polyapi.config import get_api_key_and_url, get_direct_execute_config\nfrom polyapi.execute import execute, execute_async, execute_post, execute_post_async, variable_get, variable_get_async, variable_update, variable_update_async, direct_execute, direct_execute_async\n\n"
 
 
 def init_the_init(full_path: str, code_imports: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
@@ -73,7 +73,6 @@ def print_red(s: str):
 
 def add_type_import_path(function_name: str, arg: str) -> str:
     """if not basic type, coerce to camelCase and add the import path"""
-    # outdated og comment - for now, just treat Callables as basic types 
     # from now, we start qualifying non-basic types :)) 
     # e.g. Callable[[EmailAddress, Dict, Dict, Dict], None]
         # becomes Callable[[Set_profile_email.EmailAddress, Dict, Dict, Dict], None]
diff --git a/polyapi/variables.py b/polyapi/variables.py
index 1fb915d..b8220b7 100644
--- a/polyapi/variables.py
+++ b/polyapi/variables.py
@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@
     def get() -> {variable_type}:
         resp = variable_get("{variable_id}")
         return resp.text
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_async() -> {variable_type}:
+        resp = await variable_get_async("{variable_id}")
+        return resp.text
 """
 
 
@@ -30,6 +35,11 @@ def update(value: {variable_type}):
         resp = variable_update("{variable_id}", value)
         return resp.json()
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def update_async(value: {variable_type}):
+        resp = await variable_update_async("{variable_id}", value)
+        return resp.json()
+
     @classmethod
     async def onUpdate(cls, callback):
         api_key, base_url = get_api_key_and_url()
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index dc5916e..d651f61 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "polyapi-python"
-version = "0.3.13"
+version = "0.3.14.dev1"
 description = "The Python Client for PolyAPI, the IPaaS by Developers for Developers"
 authors = [{ name = "Dan Fellin", email = "dan@polyapi.io" }]
 dependencies = [
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "colorama==0.4.4",
     "python-socketio[asyncio_client]==5.11.1",
     "truststore>=0.8.0",
+    "httpx>=0.28.1"
 ]
 readme = "README.md"
 license = { file = "LICENSE" }
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index b5eb3c4..1a07d23 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -5,4 +5,5 @@ pydantic>=2.8.0
 stdlib_list>=0.10.0
 colorama==0.4.4
 python-socketio[asyncio_client]==5.11.1
-truststore>=0.8.0
\ No newline at end of file
+truststore>=0.8.0
+httpx>=0.28.1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/test_async_proof.py b/tests/test_async_proof.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..88efd74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_async_proof.py
@@ -0,0 +1,412 @@
+"""Tests proving the sync/async split works correctly.
+
+These tests mock HTTP calls so no live server is needed. They verify that:
+1. is_async() correctly detects sync vs async context
+2. http_client uses sync Client in sync context, AsyncClient in async context
+3. Sync functions (execute, direct_execute, etc.) always return httpx.Response
+4. Async functions (execute_async, direct_execute_async, etc.) return coroutines
+5. Parallel async execution with asyncio.gather works
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import inspect
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock, AsyncMock
+
+import httpx
+import pytest
+
+from polyapi import http_client
+from polyapi.execute import (
+    execute,
+    execute_async,
+    direct_execute,
+    direct_execute_async,
+    execute_post,
+    execute_post_async,
+    variable_get,
+    variable_get_async,
+    variable_update,
+    variable_update_async,
+    _build_direct_execute_params,
+    _check_endpoint_error,
+    _check_response_error
+)
+from polyapi.exceptions import PolyApiException
+
+
+# Helpers
+
+def _fake_response(status_code=200, json_data=None, text="ok"):
+    """Build a fake httpx.Response."""
+    resp = MagicMock(spec=httpx.Response)
+    resp.status_code = status_code
+    resp.text = text
+    resp.content = text.encode()
+    resp.json.return_value = {} if json_data is None else json_data
+    return resp
+
+
+# 1. http_client sync / async client pairing
+
+class TestHttpClientPairing:
+    """Verify that the sync helpers call httpx.Client and the async helpers
+    call httpx.AsyncClient."""
+
+    def setup_method(self):
+        # Reset singletons so each test starts fresh
+        http_client._sync_client = None
+        http_client._async_client = None
+
+    def teardown_method(self):
+        http_client._sync_client = None
+        http_client._async_client = None
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.Client, "post", return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_sync_post_uses_sync_client(self, mock_post):
+        resp = http_client.post("https://example.com", json={})
+        mock_post.assert_called_once()
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+        # The sync client should have been created
+        assert http_client._sync_client is not None
+        assert http_client._async_client is None
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.AsyncClient, "post", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_async_post_uses_async_client(self, mock_post):
+        async def _run():
+            return await http_client.async_post("https://example.com", json={})
+
+        resp = asyncio.run(_run())
+        mock_post.assert_called_once()
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+        assert http_client._async_client is not None
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.Client, "get", return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_sync_get(self, mock_get):
+        resp = http_client.get("https://example.com")
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.AsyncClient, "get", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_async_get(self, mock_get):
+        async def _run():
+            return await http_client.async_get("https://example.com")
+
+        resp = asyncio.run(_run())
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.Client, "patch", return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_sync_patch(self, mock_patch_method):
+        resp = http_client.patch("https://example.com", data={"v": 1})
+        mock_patch_method.assert_called_once()
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.AsyncClient, "patch", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_async_patch(self, mock_patch_method):
+        async def _run():
+            return await http_client.async_patch("https://example.com", data={"v": 1})
+
+        resp = asyncio.run(_run())
+        mock_patch_method.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.Client, "delete", return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_sync_delete(self, mock_delete):
+        resp = http_client.delete("https://example.com")
+        mock_delete.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.AsyncClient, "delete", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_async_delete(self, mock_delete):
+        async def _run():
+            return await http_client.async_delete("https://example.com")
+
+        resp = asyncio.run(_run())
+        mock_delete.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.Client, "request", return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_sync_request(self, mock_request):
+        resp = http_client.request("POST", "https://example.com")
+        mock_request.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch.object(httpx.AsyncClient, "request", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_async_request(self, mock_request):
+        async def _run():
+            return await http_client.async_request("POST", "https://example.com")
+
+        resp = asyncio.run(_run())
+        mock_request.assert_called_once()
+
+
+# 3. execute() / execute_async()
+
+_CONFIG_PATCH = patch(
+    "polyapi.execute.get_api_key_and_url",
+    return_value=("fake-key", "https://api.example.com"),
+)
+_MTLS_PATCH = patch(
+    "polyapi.execute.get_mtls_config",
+    return_value=(False, None, None, None),
+)
+
+
+class TestExecute:
+    """execute() always returns httpx.Response (sync).
+    execute_async() always returns a coroutine that resolves to httpx.Response."""
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.post", return_value=_fake_response(200, text='"hello"'))
+    def test_sync_returns_response(self, mock_post, _mock_config):
+        result = execute("server", "some-id", {})
+        assert isinstance(result, MagicMock)  # our fake Response
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+        mock_post.assert_called_once()
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_post", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response(200, text='"hello"'))
+    def test_async_returns_coroutine_then_response(self, mock_post, _mock_config):
+        async def _run():
+            coro = execute_async("server", "some-id", {})
+            assert inspect.isawaitable(coro)
+            return await coro
+
+        result = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+        mock_post.assert_called_once()
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.post", return_value=_fake_response(200, text='"hello"'))
+    def test_sync_calls_correct_url(self, mock_post, _mock_config):
+        execute("server", "abc-123", {"arg": 1})
+        call_args = mock_post.call_args
+        assert "/functions/server/abc-123/execute" in call_args[0][0]
+        assert call_args[1]["json"] == {"arg": 1}
+        assert "Bearer fake-key" in call_args[1]["headers"]["Authorization"]
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.post", return_value=_fake_response(200, text='"hello"'))
+    def test_sync_works_inside_async_context(self, mock_post, _mock_config):
+        """execute() (sync) should still return httpx.Response even when
+        called from within an async context — this is the key fix."""
+        async def _run():
+            result = execute("server", "some-id", {})
+            # Should be a Response, NOT a coroutine
+            assert not inspect.isawaitable(result)
+            assert result.status_code == 200
+
+        asyncio.run(_run())
+
+
+# 4. direct_execute() / direct_execute_async()
+
+class TestDirectExecute:
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @_MTLS_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.execute.httpx.request", return_value=_fake_response(200, text='{"result": 1}'))
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.post", return_value=_fake_response(
+        200, json_data={"url": "https://target.example.com", "method": "GET"},
+    ))
+    def test_sync_returns_response(self, mock_post, mock_request, _mtls, _config):
+        result = direct_execute("server", "fn-id", {})
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+        assert "/direct-execute" in mock_post.call_args[0][0]
+        mock_request.assert_called_once()
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @_MTLS_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_post", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response(
+        200, json_data={"url": "https://target.example.com", "method": "GET"},
+    ))
+    def test_async_returns_coroutine(self, mock_post, _mtls, _config):
+        mock_client = AsyncMock()
+        mock_client.request = AsyncMock(return_value=_fake_response(200))
+        mock_client.__aenter__ = AsyncMock(return_value=mock_client)
+        mock_client.__aexit__ = AsyncMock(return_value=False)
+
+        async def _run():
+            with patch("polyapi.execute.httpx.AsyncClient", return_value=mock_client):
+                coro = direct_execute_async("server", "fn-id", {})
+                assert inspect.isawaitable(coro)
+                return await coro
+
+        result = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+
+
+# 5. execute_post() / execute_post_async()
+
+class TestExecutePost:
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.post", return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_sync(self, mock_post, _config):
+        result = execute_post("/some/path", {"data": 1})
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+        assert "https://api.example.com/some/path" == mock_post.call_args[0][0]
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_post", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response())
+    def test_async(self, mock_post, _config):
+        async def _run():
+            coro = execute_post_async("/some/path", {"data": 1})
+            assert inspect.isawaitable(coro)
+            return await coro
+
+        result = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+
+
+# 6. variable_get / variable_get_async
+
+class TestVariableGet:
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.get", return_value=_fake_response(200, text="42"))
+    def test_sync(self, mock_get, _config):
+        result = variable_get("var-123")
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+        assert "/variables/var-123/value" in mock_get.call_args[0][0]
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_get", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response(200, text="42"))
+    def test_async(self, mock_get, _config):
+        async def _run():
+            coro = variable_get_async("var-123")
+            assert inspect.isawaitable(coro)
+            return await coro
+
+        result = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+
+
+# 7. variable_update / variable_update_async
+
+class TestVariableUpdate:
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.patch", return_value=_fake_response(200))
+    def test_sync(self, mock_patch_call, _config):
+        result = variable_update("var-123", "new-value")
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_patch", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=_fake_response(200))
+    def test_async(self, mock_patch_call, _config):
+        async def _run():
+            coro = variable_update_async("var-123", "new-value")
+            assert inspect.isawaitable(coro)
+            return await coro
+
+        result = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert result.status_code == 200
+
+
+# 8. Parallel async execution with asyncio.gather
+
+class TestAsyncParallelExecution:
+    """Prove that multiple async execute_async() calls can be gathered in parallel."""
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_post", new_callable=AsyncMock)
+    def test_gather_multiple_executes(self, mock_post, _config):
+        responses = [_fake_response(200, text=f'"result-{i}"') for i in range(5)]
+        mock_post.side_effect = responses
+
+        async def _run():
+            coros = [execute_async("server", f"fn-{i}", {}) for i in range(5)]
+            for c in coros:
+                assert inspect.isawaitable(c)
+            return await asyncio.gather(*coros)
+
+        results = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert len(results) == 5
+        assert mock_post.call_count == 5
+        for i, r in enumerate(results):
+            assert r.text == f'"result-{i}"'
+
+    @_CONFIG_PATCH
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.async_post", new_callable=AsyncMock)
+    def test_gather_is_faster_than_sequential(self, mock_post, _config):
+        """Measure both sequential and parallel execution in the same run,
+        then assert parallel < sequential. Avoids flaky CI failures from
+        hardcoded time thresholds."""
+        import time
+
+        async def _slow_post(*args, **kwargs):
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
+            return _fake_response(200, text='"done"')
+
+        mock_post.side_effect = _slow_post
+
+        async def _run():
+            # Sequential: await one at a time
+            seq_start = time.monotonic()
+            for i in range(5):
+                await execute_async("server", f"fn-{i}", {})
+            seq_elapsed = time.monotonic() - seq_start
+
+            # Parallel: gather all at once
+            par_start = time.monotonic()
+            results = await asyncio.gather(
+                *[execute_async("server", f"fn-{i}", {}) for i in range(5)]
+            )
+            par_elapsed = time.monotonic() - par_start
+
+            return results, seq_elapsed, par_elapsed
+
+        results, seq_elapsed, par_elapsed = asyncio.run(_run())
+        assert len(results) == 5
+        assert par_elapsed < seq_elapsed, (
+            f"Parallel ({par_elapsed:.2f}s) should be faster than sequential ({seq_elapsed:.2f}s)"
+        )
+
+
+# 9. Helper: _build_direct_execute_params
+
+class TestBuildDirectExecuteParams:
+    def test_strips_url(self):
+        params = _build_direct_execute_params({"url": "https://x.com", "method": "GET"})
+        assert "url" not in params
+        assert params["method"] == "GET"
+
+    def test_converts_max_redirects_positive(self):
+        params = _build_direct_execute_params({"url": "u", "maxRedirects": 5})
+        assert "maxRedirects" not in params
+        assert params["follow_redirects"] is True
+
+    def test_converts_max_redirects_zero(self):
+        params = _build_direct_execute_params({"url": "u", "maxRedirects": 0})
+        assert params["follow_redirects"] is False
+
+    def test_no_mutation_of_input(self):
+        original = {"url": "u", "method": "POST", "maxRedirects": 3}
+        _build_direct_execute_params(original)
+        assert "url" in original
+        assert "maxRedirects" in original
+
+
+# 10. _check_endpoint_error vs _check_response_error
+
+class TestCheckErrorBehaviorDifference:
+    """_check_endpoint_error raises on api errors; _check_response_error only logs."""
+
+
+    def test_endpoint_error_raises_for_api_with_logs(self):
+        """_check_endpoint_error raises PolyApiException for api functions."""
+
+        resp = _fake_response(status_code=500, text="server broke")
+        with patch.dict("os.environ", {"LOGS_ENABLED": "1"}):
+            with pytest.raises(PolyApiException, match="500"):
+                _check_endpoint_error(resp, "api", "fn-1", {})
+
+    def test_response_error_logs_for_api_with_logs(self):
+        """_check_response_error only logs (no raise) for api functions."""
+        resp = _fake_response(status_code=500, text="server broke")
+        with patch.dict("os.environ", {"LOGS_ENABLED": "1"}):
+            # Should NOT raise — just logs
+            _check_response_error(resp, "api", "fn-1", {})
+
+    def test_both_raise_for_non_api(self):
+        """Both functions raise PolyApiException for non-api function types."""
+        resp = _fake_response(status_code=500, text="server broke")
+        with pytest.raises(PolyApiException, match="500"):
+            _check_endpoint_error(resp, "server", "fn-1", {})
diff --git a/tests/test_rendered_spec.py b/tests/test_rendered_spec.py
index f2bf7a5..9c43f07 100644
--- a/tests/test_rendered_spec.py
+++ b/tests/test_rendered_spec.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def test_get_and_update_rendered_spec_fail(self, _get_spec):
         self.assertEqual(_get_spec.call_count, 1)
         self.assertFalse(updated)
 
-    @patch("polyapi.rendered_spec.requests.post")
+    @patch("polyapi.http_client.post")
     @patch("polyapi.rendered_spec._get_spec")
     def test_get_and_update_rendered_spec_success(self, _get_spec, post):
         """ pass in a bad id to update and make sure it returns False
diff --git a/tests/test_tabi.py b/tests/test_tabi.py
index 0241191..3119d6f 100644
--- a/tests/test_tabi.py
+++ b/tests/test_tabi.py
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ def test_execute_query_uses_absolute_url_and_auth_header(self):
                 return_value=("test-api-key", "https://na1.polyapi.io"),
             ),
             patch(
-                "polyapi.poly_tables.requests.post", return_value=response
+                "polyapi.http_client.post", return_value=response
             ) as post_mock,
         ):
             result = execute_query("table-id-123", "select", {"where": {"id": "abc"}})