{"id":2943964,"date":"2025-12-01T07:10:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T15:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2943964"},"modified":"2025-12-04T11:28:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T19:28:54","slug":"threading-modes-geoprocessing-tools-arcgis-pro","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/threading-modes-geoprocessing-tools-arcgis-pro","title":{"rendered":"New threading modes to improve geoprocessing performance in ArcGIS Pro (Dec 2025)"},"author":314022,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[23341,37101],"tags":[42181,780835,24321,773052],"industry":[],"product":[36561],"class_list":["post-2943964","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-analytics","category-announcements","tag-arcgis-pro","tag-arcgis-pro-3-6","tag-geoprocessing","tag-geoprocessing-tools","product-arcgis-pro"],"acf":{"short_description":"In ArcGIS Pro 3.6, the geoprocessing pane has a new Run Modes button you can use to change the thread the tool runs on. 6 MIN READ","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2943980,"id":2943980,"title":"Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image","filename":"Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","filesize":513449,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/threading-modes-geoprocessing-tools-arcgis-pro\/run_modes_blog_top_image","alt":"","author":"314022","description":"","caption":"","name":"run_modes_blog_top_image","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2943964,"date":"2025-10-20 15:16:24","modified":"2025-10-20 15:16:24","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":850,"height":450,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":246,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":407,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","large-width":850,"large-height":450,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","1536x1536-width":850,"1536x1536-height":450,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","2048x2048-width":850,"2048x2048-height":450,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image-826x437.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":437,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Run_Modes_Blog_Top_Image.png","wide_image-width":850,"wide_image-height":450}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Approximate Read Time:<\/strong><\/span> 6 minutes<\/p>\n

Imagine you\u2019re in a coffee shop where one barista serves customers and the others working behind the scenes have single specialized tasks like making drinks or baking. To keep the shop running smoothly, each barista coordinates to ensure all tasks are completed efficiently.<\/p>\n

ArcGIS Pro works similarly. It\u2019s a multithreaded application, where tasks are divided across different worker threads. The foreground thread, like the barista taking orders, configures the user interface and map. Meanwhile, the background threads, like the baristas making lattes or baking, perform specialized tasks, like running tools.<\/p>\n

New in ArcGIS Pro 3.6<\/strong>, when you run a tool<\/a><\/span> on the Geoprocessing<\/strong> pane, you can choose how your order is handed \u2013 directly and immediately at the counter, stopping all new orders (main foreground thread<\/em>) or by a specialist in the back (background geoprocessing thread<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Tool run modes in ArcGIS Pro 3.6<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

In previous releases, the thread used to run a tool was determined by where you opened the tool. For example, tools open in floating windows typically run on the foreground thread<\/strong>, taking over your ArcGIS Pro session until it\u2019s complete. Whereas geoprocessing pane tools use the geoprocessing thread<\/strong>, so you can continue working in Pro as the tool runs in the background.<\/p>\n

In ArcGIS<\/strong> Pro 3.6<\/strong>, the Geoprocessing<\/strong> pane features a Run Modes<\/strong> <\/span><\/a>menu that allows you to change the thread used by a tool during execution. Run Modes<\/strong> only apply to tools opened on the Geoprocessing<\/strong> pane, and the selected mode is sticky, meaning it will apply across all tools and projects until it is changed.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2944001,"id":2944001,"title":"run_modes_blog_pic1","filename":"run_modes_blog_pic1.png","filesize":37326,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/threading-modes-geoprocessing-tools-arcgis-pro\/run_modes_blog_pic1","alt":"Tool Run Modes in ArcGIS Pro 3.6","author":"314022","description":"","caption":"Run Modes in ArcGIS Pro 3.6","name":"run_modes_blog_pic1","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2943964,"date":"2025-10-20 16:04:37","modified":"2025-10-20 16:05:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":413,"height":450,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","medium-width":240,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","medium_large-width":413,"medium_large-height":450,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","large-width":413,"large-height":450,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","1536x1536-width":413,"1536x1536-height":450,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","2048x2048-width":413,"2048x2048-height":450,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","card_image-width":413,"card_image-height":450,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic1.png","wide_image-width":413,"wide_image-height":450}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Tip:<\/strong><\/span> Run Modes<\/strong> work with pairwise tools<\/a> (think Pairwise Buffer or Pairwise Clip) just as they would with any other tool. Also, tools can leverage parallel processing<\/a> for faster performance using either run mode.<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Geoprocessing Thread (Default)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

After you order a latte, the barista at the counter passes the order to a specialist in the back. The counter barista is free to take more orders, and the line keeps moving.<\/p>\n

The geoprocessing thread<\/strong>\u00a0 runs the tool in the background, allowing the user interface to stay responsive so you can keep exploring your map or use other panes and commands. This is the default<\/em> thread used by the Geoprocessing<\/strong> pane. It is best for running tools that may take a while to run, so you don\u2019t lose the ability to keep working in Pro.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2944296,"id":2944296,"title":"run_modes_blog_pic2_new","filename":"run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","filesize":18814,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/threading-modes-geoprocessing-tools-arcgis-pro\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new","alt":"geoprocessing thread","author":"314022","description":"","caption":"Running a tool on the geoprocessing thread illustration","name":"run_modes_blog_pic2_new","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2943964,"date":"2025-10-21 14:59:16","modified":"2025-10-21 14:59:48","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":850,"height":225,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":123,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":203,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","large-width":850,"large-height":225,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","1536x1536-width":850,"1536x1536-height":225,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","2048x2048-width":850,"2048x2048-height":225,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new-826x219.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":219,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic2_new.png","wide_image-width":850,"wide_image-height":225}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Foreground Thread<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Next, imagine you order a latte but this time the barista at the counter decides to take your order and<\/em> make the latte themself. All new orders have to wait and the line stops moving until your drink is served.<\/p>\n

Tools run on the main foreground thread<\/strong> take over your session, blocking the map and other buttons in Pro until complete. This thread is great for quick to run tools expected to take under a minute, where blocking the interface isn\u2019t a big deal. The foreground thread<\/strong> is the default<\/em> thread used by tools that run in a floating window, ModelBuilder, ArcGIS Notebooks, Python window, and used by some ArcGIS Pro add-ins.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2944297,"id":2944297,"title":"run_modes_blog_pic3_new","filename":"run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","filesize":13533,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/threading-modes-geoprocessing-tools-arcgis-pro\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new","alt":"main foreground thread","author":"314022","description":"","caption":"Running a tool on the main foreground thread illustration","name":"run_modes_blog_pic3_new","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2943964,"date":"2025-10-21 14:59:59","modified":"2025-10-21 15:00:19","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":850,"height":125,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new-213x125.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":125,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":68,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":113,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","large-width":850,"large-height":125,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","1536x1536-width":850,"1536x1536-height":125,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","2048x2048-width":850,"2048x2048-height":125,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new-826x121.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":121,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/run_modes_blog_pic3_new.png","wide_image-width":850,"wide_image-height":125}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Note<\/strong>:<\/span> The foreground thread<\/strong> is always used when a tool runs in an edit session, like when there are pending edits or Enable Undo<\/strong><\/a><\/span> is on.<\/em><\/p>\n

What about scheduled and web tools?<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

There are several cases when a tool will not run on the geoprocessing or foreground thread. Instead, some tools run in a separate process outside of ArcGIS Pro.<\/p>\n