How to Increase Step Memory With size in Bitbucket Pipelines

The size key multiplies a step's memory allocation; 2x doubles the default, with larger sizes available on paid plans.

Add size: 2x to a step that runs out of memory. The default 1x gives 4 GB; 2x gives 8 GB, split between your script and any services.

Steps

• Confirm the step is failing on memory (for example an OOM exit code 137).
• Add size: 2x to that step.
• Budget memory across the step and its services within the new total.

bitbucket-pipelines.yml

pipelines:
  default:
    - step:
        name: Heavy build
        size: 2x
        script:
          - ./gradlew build --no-daemon

Gotchas

• A 2x step consumes build minutes at twice the rate of a 1x step.
• Sizes above 2x (4x, 8x) require self-hosted runners or specific plans.

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