curl_multi_add_handle(3) Introduction to Library Functions
curl_multi_add_handle - add an easy handle to a multi session
#include <curl/curl.h>
CURLMcode curl_multi_add_handle(CURLM *multi_handle, CURL *easy_handle);
Adds the easy handle to the multi_handle.
While an easy handle is added to a multi stack, you cannot and you
must not use curl_easy_perform(3) on that handle. After having
removed the easy handle from the multi stack again, it is perfectly
fine to use it with the easy interface again.
If the easy handle is not set to use a shared (CURLOPT_SHARE(3))
cache, it is made to use a DNS cache that is shared between all easy
handles within the multi handle when curl_multi_add_handle(3) is
called.
When an easy interface is added to a multi handle, it is set to use a
shared connection cache owned by the multi handle. Removing and
adding new easy handles does not affect the pool of connections or
the ability to do connection reuse.
If you have CURLMOPT_TIMERFUNCTION(3) set in the multi handle (as you
should if you are working event-based with
curl_multi_socket_action(3) and friends), that callback is called
from within this function to ask for an updated timer so that your
main event loop gets the activity on this handle to get started.
The easy handle remains added to the multi handle until you remove it
again with curl_multi_remove_handle(3) - even when a transfer with
that specific easy handle is completed.
You should remove the easy handle from the multi stack before you
terminate first the easy handle and then the multi handle:
1 - curl_multi_remove_handle(3)
2 - curl_easy_cleanup(3)
3 - curl_multi_cleanup(3)
This functionality affects all supported protocols
int main(void)
{
/* init a multi stack */
CURLM *multi = curl_multi_init();
/* create two easy handles */
CURL *http_handle = curl_easy_init();
CURL *http_handle2 = curl_easy_init();
/* add individual transfers */
curl_multi_add_handle(multi, http_handle);
curl_multi_add_handle(multi, http_handle2);
}
Added in curl 7.9.6
This function returns a CURLMcode indicating success or error.
CURLM_OK (0) means everything was OK, non-zero means an error
occurred, see libcurl-errors(3).
curl_multi_cleanup(3), curl_multi_get_handles(3), curl_multi_init(3),
curl_multi_setopt(3), curl_multi_socket_action(3)
libcurl 2026-01-08 curl_multi_add_handle(3)
NAME
curl_multi_add_handle - add an easy handle to a multi session
SYNOPSIS
#include <curl/curl.h>
CURLMcode curl_multi_add_handle(CURLM *multi_handle, CURL *easy_handle);
DESCRIPTION
Adds the easy handle to the multi_handle.
While an easy handle is added to a multi stack, you cannot and you
must not use curl_easy_perform(3) on that handle. After having
removed the easy handle from the multi stack again, it is perfectly
fine to use it with the easy interface again.
If the easy handle is not set to use a shared (CURLOPT_SHARE(3))
cache, it is made to use a DNS cache that is shared between all easy
handles within the multi handle when curl_multi_add_handle(3) is
called.
When an easy interface is added to a multi handle, it is set to use a
shared connection cache owned by the multi handle. Removing and
adding new easy handles does not affect the pool of connections or
the ability to do connection reuse.
If you have CURLMOPT_TIMERFUNCTION(3) set in the multi handle (as you
should if you are working event-based with
curl_multi_socket_action(3) and friends), that callback is called
from within this function to ask for an updated timer so that your
main event loop gets the activity on this handle to get started.
The easy handle remains added to the multi handle until you remove it
again with curl_multi_remove_handle(3) - even when a transfer with
that specific easy handle is completed.
You should remove the easy handle from the multi stack before you
terminate first the easy handle and then the multi handle:
1 - curl_multi_remove_handle(3)
2 - curl_easy_cleanup(3)
3 - curl_multi_cleanup(3)
PROTOCOLS
This functionality affects all supported protocols
EXAMPLE
int main(void)
{
/* init a multi stack */
CURLM *multi = curl_multi_init();
/* create two easy handles */
CURL *http_handle = curl_easy_init();
CURL *http_handle2 = curl_easy_init();
/* add individual transfers */
curl_multi_add_handle(multi, http_handle);
curl_multi_add_handle(multi, http_handle2);
}
AVAILABILITY
Added in curl 7.9.6
RETURN VALUE
This function returns a CURLMcode indicating success or error.
CURLM_OK (0) means everything was OK, non-zero means an error
occurred, see libcurl-errors(3).
SEE ALSO
curl_multi_cleanup(3), curl_multi_get_handles(3), curl_multi_init(3),
curl_multi_setopt(3), curl_multi_socket_action(3)
libcurl 2026-01-08 curl_multi_add_handle(3)