How to Use MULTI Command in Redis for Transactions

In Redis, use the MULTI command to start a transaction block where multiple commands are queued. Then use EXEC to execute all queued commands atomically, or DISCARD to cancel them.

Syntax

The MULTI command starts a transaction block. After MULTI, you queue commands that will run together. Use EXEC to run all queued commands atomically or DISCARD to cancel the transaction.

• MULTI: Begin transaction
• COMMAND: Any Redis command queued
• EXEC: Execute all queued commands
• DISCARD: Cancel the transaction

redis

MULTI
COMMAND
COMMAND
EXEC

Example

This example shows how to use MULTI to queue commands and then execute them atomically with EXEC. All commands run together or none run if discarded.

redis

127.0.0.1:6379> MULTI
OK
127.0.0.1:6379> SET key1 "Hello"
QUEUED
127.0.0.1:6379> INCR counter
QUEUED
127.0.0.1:6379> EXEC
1) OK
2) (integer) 1
127.0.0.1:6379> GET key1
"Hello"
127.0.0.1:6379> GET counter
"1"

Output

OK
QUEUED
QUEUED
1) OK
2) (integer) 1
"Hello"
"1"

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using MULTI include:

• Forgetting to call EXEC, so commands stay queued but never run.
• Running commands that cause errors inside the transaction; Redis queues them but errors appear only after EXEC.
• Using commands that depend on previous commands' results inside the transaction, which is not allowed because commands are queued, not executed immediately.

redis

127.0.0.1:6379> MULTI
OK
127.0.0.1:6379> INCR counter
QUEUED
127.0.0.1:6379> GET key1
QUEUED
127.0.0.1:6379> DISCARD
OK
127.0.0.1:6379> GET counter
"1"

Output

OK
QUEUED
QUEUED
OK
"1"

Quick Reference

Command	Description
MULTI	Start a transaction block
EXEC	Execute all queued commands atomically
DISCARD	Cancel the transaction and clear queued commands
WATCH	Optional: Monitor keys for changes before EXEC

Key Takeaways

Use MULTI to start queuing commands for a transaction in Redis.

Call EXEC to run all queued commands atomically or DISCARD to cancel.

Commands inside MULTI are queued, not executed immediately.

Avoid depending on intermediate results inside a MULTI block.

Always ensure EXEC or DISCARD is called to end the transaction.