We use conditional blocks a lot, and one thing we're considering doing is creating simple utility connectors that do things like date comparisons and such to prevent spinning up that check in a pod. This feels weird, and we're just curious if there's another approach? Basically, there seems to be a group of super simple pieces of work like this that would benefit from not having to spin up infra.

I think this is a good approach..

now: datetime = now_task()
    compare: int = date_compare_task(left=now, right=now + timedelta(days=1))
    range: list[datetime] = date_range_task(start=now, end=now + timedelta(days=1))

    plus_delta: datetime = date_plus_delta_task(datetime=now, delta=timedelta(days=1))
    minus_delta: datetime = date_minus_delta_task(datetime=now, delta=timedelta(days=1))

I guess this is acceptable, although it's still not ideal

i also think it’s a good idea