The handle refers to the instance weakly and doesn't extend its lifetime.

```lua
local target = Instance.new("Part")
target.Name = "TargetPart"

local handle = InstanceHandle.new(target)
local empty = InstanceHandle.new(nil)

print(handle:Get()) --> TargetPart
print(empty:Get()) --> nil
```

Throws if `instance` is neither an `Class.Instance` nor `nil`.


InstanceHandle.new

instance

The instance to refer to, or `nil` for an empty handle.


Returns a new `Datatype.InstanceHandle` referring to the given
`Class.Instance`.


The `Datatype.InstanceHandle` data type is a weak reference to an
`Class.Instance` that might not be available locally. Use it to point at an
instance that hasn't arrived yet, could stream out, or exists only on another
machine, and to pick that instance up once it's there.

A handle always refers to the same target. To reach that target, call
`Datatype.InstanceHandle:Wait()`, which yields until the instance is
available:

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local part = Instance.new("Part")
local target = Instance.new("Part")
target.Name = "TargetPart"
part.Parent = Workspace
target.Parent = Workspace

part:SetAttribute("Target", target)

local handle = part:GetAttribute("Target")
local instance = handle:Wait(10)
if instance then
	print("Target is", instance.Name) --> Target is TargetPart
end
```

Prefer `Datatype.InstanceHandle:Wait()` with a timeout so your code runs as
soon as the instance shows up. Use `Datatype.InstanceHandle:Get()` when you
want an immediate answer and can handle `nil`, such as in code that runs every
frame.

#### Examples

##### Attributes

Attributes use `Datatype.InstanceHandle` instead of an ordinary instance
reference. Since the handle itself is never `nil`, you can tell apart an
attribute that is missing from one where the instance is not currently
present:

```lua
local part = Instance.new("Part")

print(part:GetAttribute("Target")) --> nil

part:SetAttribute("Target", InstanceHandle.new(nil))
local handle = part:GetAttribute("Target")
print(handle:Get()) --> nil
```

`Datatype.InstanceHandle` attributes also appear in
`Class.Instance:GetAttributes()`, which can't hold `nil` values.

`Class.Instance:GetAttributeChangedSignal()` fires when the attribute is set
to a new target or removed. It does not fire when the target streams in or
out, or when the target is destroyed. To react to availability, combine the
signal with `Datatype.InstanceHandle:Wait()`:

```lua
local part = Instance.new("Part")

part:GetAttributeChangedSignal("Target"):Connect(function()
	local handle = part:GetAttribute("Target")
	if not handle then
		return
	end

	local instance = handle:Wait(10)
	if instance then
		print("New target:", instance.Name)
	end
end)
```

##### Remote events

Pass a handle through a `Class.RemoteEvent` to give the receiver a reference
to an instance it doesn't have yet. The receiver waits for the instance
instead of getting nothing.

In a server script, call this function with your remote event, the receiving
player, and the model to send:

```lua
local function sendHandle(remoteEvent: RemoteEvent, player: Player, spawnedModel: Model)
	local handle = InstanceHandle.new(spawnedModel)
	remoteEvent:FireClient(player, handle)
end
```

In a client script, call this function with the same remote event to start
listening before the server sends the handle:

```lua
local function receiveHandles(remoteEvent: RemoteEvent)
	remoteEvent.OnClientEvent:Connect(function(handle)
		local model = handle:Wait(10)
		if model then
			print("Received", model.Name)
		end
	end)
end
```

#### Ownership

A handle acts as a weak reference. It never keeps its target alive. The
lifetime of the target is controlled by the rest of your experience: its
parent and any ordinary references your scripts hold that prevent it from
being garbage collected.

`Datatype.InstanceHandle:Get()` and `Datatype.InstanceHandle:Wait()` return an
ordinary instance reference, which does keep the instance alive for as long as
you hold it.

A handle is otherwise lightweight and needs no cleanup.

#### Equality

Two handles are equal when they refer to the same target, even if you created
them separately and even after the target is gone. All empty handles are equal
to each other. Each handle is still a distinct value.

```lua
local instance1 = Instance.new("Part")
local instance2 = Instance.new("Part")

local a = InstanceHandle.new(instance1)
local b = InstanceHandle.new(instance1)
local c = InstanceHandle.new(instance2)

print(a == b) --> true
print(a == c) --> false
```

Equality depends on target identity, so it still works when the target isn't
currently available.


This method doesn't yield.

`Get()` returns `nil` when the handle is empty, when the target hasn't
arrived on the client or server running the script, when the target is no
longer available after streaming out, when the target has been garbage
collected, and when the target isn't accessible to the calling script. Use
`Datatype.InstanceHandle:Wait()` to yield until the target arrives instead
of checking once.


InstanceHandle:Get

The referenced instance, or `nil` if it isn't available locally.


Returns the referenced `Class.Instance` if it's available locally,
otherwise `nil`.


Returns `nil` if the handle is empty, the target is inaccessible to the
calling script, or `timeout` elapses first. `Wait()` returns immediately
when the target is already available and when the handle is empty.

Pass a timeout whenever you can't guarantee that the target reaches the
caller. A target that's destroyed before it replicates leaves a handle
that never resolves, and a `Wait()` with no timeout never returns. A
pending wait can't be cancelled: `Library.task.cancel()` stops your
coroutine, but the wait isn't unregistered until the target arrives or the
timeout elapses.

`timeout` must be a number greater than zero. Throws if `timeout` is zero,
negative, or not a number.


InstanceHandle:Wait

timeout

How long to wait, in seconds. Must be greater than zero. Waits
indefinitely when omitted.


The referenced instance, or `nil` if the handle is empty, the target
is inaccessible to the calling script, or `timeout` elapses first.


Yields until the referenced `Class.Instance` is available locally, then
returns it.


InstanceHandle

A lightweight, weak reference to an `Class.Instance` that might not be
available locally.


/reference/engine/datatypes/InstanceHandle.yaml

Data Type

Instance

An object that runs connected functions upon a specific occurrence.

RBXScriptSignal

A double-precision floating-point number.

Luau

number

Experiences

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This method is asynchronous and returns an `Operation`, which represents the current state of the operation. It contains an endpoint path that you can poll to obtain the real response and applicable metadata. See the [documentation]({longRunningOperationsLink}) on long-running operations for more information.
            
The following sections describe the response and metadata objects that are provided when an operation completes.

Beta endpoints are ready for public use. Breaking changes are possible but rare.

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Experimental endpoints are ready for public use, but may experience breaking changes occasionally as the API contract is finalized.

This endpoint can be called in-experience through {httpServiceLinkStart}HttpService{httpServiceLinkEnd} with an API key.

This field may be set when creating a resource, but may not be modified by subsequent requests.

These fields may be set when creating a resource, but may not be modified by subsequent requests.

This field may be provided in requests, but will never be included in responses.

Legacy authentication method. Always prefer using API Key or OAuth 2.0 when available.

Per API Key: {maxInPeriod} requests every {periodInSeconds} seconds per IP Address

Requires no authentication to call. Typically has significantly lowered rate limits. Always prefer using API Key or OAuth 2.0 when available.

For each grouping, only one of the following fields in the schema has to be provided, the remaining can be excluded.

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This field may be set on responses, but will be ignored in requests.

Note: Rate limits can be lower during high-traffic periods. Certain endpoints have additional rate limits. [Learn more about rate limits]({link}).

{limit} requests per day across all API keys for a user or group

{limit} requests per hour across all API keys for a user or group

{limit} requests per minute across all API keys for a user or group

{limit} requests per second across all API keys for a user or group

{limit} requests per minute per API key owner

{limit} request(s) per second per API key owner

Scopes control what permissions your credentials have. Your credentials can only access the endpoints supported by the scopes you selected.

Stable endpoints are production-ready and will almost never experience breaking changes during their lifetime.

This target enables you to limit your key's access to selected {requiredParts}

This target enables you to limit your key's access to selected {requiredParts} and {optionalParts}

Target types are used to restrict the resources that your credentials have permissions on. Only the selected resources can be acted on even if your account has permissions on additional resources. Some scopes do not have target parts. In these cases, all of your relevant resources can be acted on.

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Critical risk endpoints are extremely sensitive and Try It Out is disabled for safety

Note: Authentication headers are not included in this code sample. You may need to add an authentication header for this command to work.

This is a high risk endpoint that can modify or delete critical data. Use extreme caution when testing.

This API endpoint has been classified as HIGH RISK and may affect live data or user accounts.

Authenticated requests to high-risk APIs can make changes that cannot be undone. Please review your request parameters carefully before proceeding.

Please login to use cookie authentication

This is a low risk endpoint that retrieves data. This is generally safe to test.

This is a medium risk endpoint that modifies data. Test carefully with non-critical accounts, as changes may be permanent.

To keep your account safe, never paste text here from other sources or send information from this page to others.

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Only proceed if you understand the implications of the API calls you're about to make. Review the API documentation carefully before testing.

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These are real API calls that may affect your account or data

Rate limits and other API restrictions apply

Some operations may modify or delete data

This endpoint has been superseded by these recommended alternative endpoints:

The following scopes are required to call this endpoint. For more
information on generating proper keys, see [Manage API keys]({apiKeyReferenceDocLink}).

For more information on generating keys, see [Manage API keys]({apiKeyReferenceDocLink}).

The following endpoints are available at paths relative to the base URL.

This string is formatted as a [FieldMask](/cloud/reference/types#fieldmask).

A JSON value can be `null`, `boolean`, `string`, `number`, `array`, or `object`.

The following scopes are required for your OAuth 2.0 application to use this endpoint. For more information on how to register an OAuth 2.0 application, see [App registration and review]({oauth2ReferenceDocLink}).

For more information on how to register an OAuth 2.0 application, see [App registration and review]({oauth2ReferenceDocLink}).

The following objects describe payloads that are accepted or returned. See each individual endpoint for more information on when these objects are used.

The following scopes are required to call this endpoint.

Resource Paths

This string is formatted as a [Timestamp](/cloud/reference/types#timestamp).

The following scopes are required for your OAuth 2.0 application to use this endpoint. For more information on how to register an OAuth 2.0 application, see [App Registration and Review]({oauth2ReferenceDocLink}).

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View your ad campaigns and their performance.

Create, update, and manage your ad campaigns.

This allows viewing information about your assets.

This allows uploading and updating assets to Roblox.

This allows viewing asset permissions for subjects (including groups and experiences) and assets your account has access to.

This allows granting asset permissions to any subjects (including groups and experiences) and assets your account has access to.

This allows you to view the status and results of avatar auto-setup jobs on your behalf.

This allows you to create and manage avatar auto-setup jobs on your behalf.

Grants the ability to update badges owned by the user.

This allows viewing information about your commerce items.

This allows making changes to your synced commerce items.

This allows viewing information about your commerce merchant connections.

This allows editing of your commerce merchant connections.

This allows you to view information about your Creator Store products.

This allows you to modify information about your Creator Store products.

This allows you to view information about your Creator Store saves.

This allows you to modify information about your Creator Store saves.

Grants access to create data stores on your behalf.

Grants access to delete data stores on your behalf.

Grants access to read a list of data stores.

Grants access to take a snapshot of your data stores.

Grants access to create entries in your data stores.

Grants access to mark specified entries for deletion.

Grants access to list your data store's entries.

Grants access to read specified entries in your data stores.

Grants access to update the value, attributes, and users of an entry.

Grants access to delete revisions of your data store's entries.

Grants access to list revisions for your data store's entries.

Grants access to read revisions of your data store's entries.

Grants access to view configuration details for the authorized user's developer products.

Grants access to edit the authorized user's developer products.

This allows viewing information about your universe's environments.

This allows editing of your universe's environments.

Grants access to view configuration details for the authorized user's game passes.

Grants access to edit the authorized user's game passes.

Grants access to view community forums information for your account.

Grants access to manage community forums information for your account.

This allows viewing information about your communities.

This allows you to manage community join requests and role updates of lower-ranked community members for your account.

Allows you to view an instance's property data.

Allows you to modify the property data of instances (currently only supports Scripts).

This allows viewing information about your inventory.

Grants access to manage your badges and spend Robux.

Grants access to update the authorized user's badges.

Grants access to manage your developer products.

Grants access to read information about the experiences you have notifications on for.

Grants access to turn on or off notifications for experiences on your behalf.

Grants access to manage your communities.

Grants permission to read community information.

Grants access to read and write your localization tables

Grants access to manage team collaboration for all experiences you own.

Grants access to manage your experiences and certain information associated with your experiences (e.g. localization information).

Grants access to read your experiences' localization information.

Grants access to modify your experiences' localization preferences.

Grants access to manage your user account.

Grants access to modify user localization preferences.

Allows you to view the status, logs, and results of Luau execution tasks for the associated place.

Allows you to create new Luau execution tasks for the associated place.

Grants access to asynchronously flush all data structures in the universe.

Grants access to discard read items from the front of the queue.

Grants access to read items at the front of the queue.

Grants access to read your memory store items.

Grants access to create, update, and delete map items.

This grants the ability to publish messages on behalf of users.

This allows sending notifications from your experience to users.

(Deprecated) Grants access to read a list of entries in an ordered data store.

(Deprecated) Grants access to create a new entry in an ordered data store.

Grants access to list entries from an ordered data store.

Grants access to create entries in an ordered data store.

This allows listing secrets associated with your experience.

This allows creating and updating secrets associated with your experience.

This permission allows you to submit an evaluation job and view the job result.

Grants access to read about your subscription products.

This allows you to read thumbnail information on your behalf.

Grants the ability to read analytics alerts.

Grants the ability to create or modify analytics alerts.

Grants the ability to read game analytics.

Grants the ability to write resources related to game analytics.

Grants the ability to read place information.

Grants the ability to edit place information.

Grants access to publish new versions of experiences to Roblox.

This allows you to read thumbnails and thumbnail personalization settings for your experiences.

This allows you to upload and delete thumbnails and manage thumbnail personalization settings for your experiences.

Grants the ability to read experience information.

Grants access to edit the authorized user's experiences.

Allows you to view user restrictions in the experience.

Allows you to edit user restrictions in the experience.

This allows viewing notifications sent to your account.

Grants the ability to read the authorized user's premium and verified status.

This allows you to view the authorized user's social accounts.

Grants the ability to read a game's events.

This enables Single Sign-On functionality.

This grants access to read your profile information.

This function returns immediately if possible, but can yield the thread that called it until it can return a value.

Learn more about {linkStart}capabilities{linkEnd}.

{nameStart}name{nameEnd} is no longer supported or maintained by Roblox.

This endpoint is no longer supported or maintained by Roblox.

This math operation is no longer supported or maintained by Roblox.

This member doesn’t appear in the object browser and is not intended for widespread use.

This member is only accessible only through the command bar. Attempting to access this member from scripts causes an error.

This function can’t pause the Lua thread that called it.

Attempting to access this member in scripts causes an error. You might be able to access this member from Roblox Studio's property window.

This member doesn’t appear in Roblox Studio’s Object Browser.

You can’t create an instance of this class with the Instance.new constructor.

Roblox does not replicate this member across its server-client boundary.

Lua code can’t access this member. You might be able to change its value from the property window in Roblox Studio.

This member is accessible from OpenCloud Luau execution tasks.

This object’s replication behavior is dependent on the player who owns it.

This member is accessible through the command bar and plugins. Attempting to access this member from scripts causes an error.

This member is read only. Attempting to write to this member causes an error.

This property is read-only and is safe to read in unsynchronized threads. Attempting to write to it causes an error.

There are alternative endpoints available that supersede this endpoint.

This member is accessible only in CoreScripts.

Only Roblox CoreScripts can access this member, and it isn’t usable by Players.

You can read and write to this property safely from multiple threads.

This class is a top-level singleton. Retrieve an instance of this class with the GetService function.

Can be accessed within callbacks bound via {link1Start}RunService:BindToSimulation(){link1End}. Participates in rollbacks. See {link2Start}server authority{link2End}.

Multiple threads can potentially write to this property, so it’s unsafe to read from unsynchronized threads.

This function pauses the Lua thread that called it until it returns a result. This doesn’t interrupt other scripts.