refactor!: use namespace models directly for namespace operations (#2806)

1. Use generated models in lance-namespace for request response models
to avoid multiple layers of conversions
2. Make sure the API is consistent with the namespace spec
3. Deprecate the table_names API in favor of the list_tables API in
namespace that allows full pagination support without the need to have
sorted table names
4. Add describe_namespace API which was a miss in the original
implementation

Cargo.lock

@@ -5071,6 +5071,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "futures",
  "lance-core",
  "lance-io",
+ "lance-namespace",
  "lancedb",
  "pin-project",
  "pyo3",

python/Cargo.toml

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ arrow = { version = "56.2", features = ["pyarrow"] }
 async-trait = "0.1"
 lancedb = { path = "../rust/lancedb", default-features = false }
 lance-core.workspace = true
+lance-namespace.workspace = true
 lance-io.workspace = true
 env_logger.workspace = true
 pyo3 = { version = "0.25", features = ["extension-module", "abi3-py39"] }

python/python/lancedb/_lancedb.pyi

@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@ import pyarrow as pa
 
 from .index import BTree, IvfFlat, IvfPq, Bitmap, LabelList, HnswPq, HnswSq, FTS
 from .io import StorageOptionsProvider
+from lance_namespace import (
+    ListNamespacesResponse,
+    CreateNamespaceResponse,
+    DropNamespaceResponse,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse,
+    ListTablesResponse,
+)
 from .remote import ClientConfig
 
 class Session:
@@ -26,18 +33,38 @@ class Connection(object):
     async def close(self): ...
     async def list_namespaces(
         self,
-        namespace: Optional[List[str]],
-        page_token: Optional[str],
-        limit: Optional[int],
-    ) -> List[str]: ...
-    async def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None: ...
-    async def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None: ...
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse: ...
+    async def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse: ...
+    async def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse: ...
+    async def describe_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+    ) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse: ...
+    async def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse: ...
     async def table_names(
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]],
         start_after: Optional[str],
         limit: Optional[int],
-    ) -> list[str]: ...
+    ) -> list[str]: ...  # Deprecated: Use list_tables instead
     async def create_table(
         self,
         name: str,

python/python/lancedb/db.py

@@ -22,6 +22,13 @@ from lancedb.embeddings.registry import EmbeddingFunctionRegistry
 
 from lancedb.common import data_to_reader, sanitize_uri, validate_schema
 from lancedb.background_loop import LOOP
+from lance_namespace import (
+    ListNamespacesResponse,
+    CreateNamespaceResponse,
+    DropNamespaceResponse,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse,
+    ListTablesResponse,
+)
 
 from . import __version__
 from ._lancedb import connect as lancedb_connect  # type: ignore
@@ -48,6 +55,12 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from .io import StorageOptionsProvider
     from ._lancedb import Session
 
+from .namespace_utils import (
+    _normalize_create_namespace_mode,
+    _normalize_drop_namespace_mode,
+    _normalize_drop_namespace_behavior,
+)
+
 
 class DBConnection(EnforceOverrides):
     """An active LanceDB connection interface."""
@@ -56,8 +69,8 @@ class DBConnection(EnforceOverrides):
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         page_token: Optional[str] = None,
-        limit: int = 10,
-    ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse:
         """List immediate child namespace names in the given namespace.
 
         Parameters
@@ -66,43 +79,119 @@ class DBConnection(EnforceOverrides):
             The parent namespace to list namespaces in.
             Empty list represents root namespace.
         page_token: str, optional
-            The token to use for pagination. If not present, start from the beginning.
-        limit: int, default 10
-            The size of the page to return.
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
 
         Returns
         -------
-        Iterable of str
-            List of immediate child namespace names
+        ListNamespacesResponse
+            Response containing namespace names and optional page_token for pagination.
         """
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
-        return []
+        return ListNamespacesResponse(namespaces=[], page_token=None)
 
-    def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse:
         """Create a new namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to create.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Creation mode - "create" (fail if exists), "exist_ok" (skip if exists),
+            or "overwrite" (replace if exists). Case insensitive.
+        properties: Dict[str, str], optional
+            Properties to set on the namespace.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        CreateNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the properties of the created namespace.
         """
         raise NotImplementedError(
             "Namespace operations are not supported for this connection type"
         )
 
-    def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse:
         """Drop a namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to drop.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Whether to skip if not exists ("SKIP") or fail ("FAIL"). Case insensitive.
+        behavior: str, optional
+            Whether to restrict drop if not empty ("RESTRICT") or cascade ("CASCADE").
+            Case insensitive.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DropNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing properties and transaction_id if applicable.
         """
         raise NotImplementedError(
             "Namespace operations are not supported for this connection type"
         )
 
+    def describe_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse:
+        """Describe a namespace.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str]
+            The namespace identifier to describe.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DescribeNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the namespace properties.
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError(
+            "Namespace operations are not supported for this connection type"
+        )
+
+    def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse:
+        """List all tables in this database with pagination support.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str], optional
+            The namespace to list tables in.
+            None or empty list represents root namespace.
+        page_token: str, optional
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ListTablesResponse
+            Response containing table names and optional page_token for pagination.
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError(
+            "list_tables is not supported for this connection type"
+        )
+
     @abstractmethod
     def table_names(
         self,
@@ -557,8 +646,8 @@ class LanceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         page_token: Optional[str] = None,
-        limit: int = 10,
-    ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse:
         """List immediate child namespace names in the given namespace.
 
         Parameters
@@ -567,14 +656,15 @@ class LanceDBConnection(DBConnection):
             The parent namespace to list namespaces in.
             None or empty list represents root namespace.
         page_token: str, optional
-            The token to use for pagination. If not present, start from the beginning.
-        limit: int, default 10
-            The size of the page to return.
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
 
         Returns
         -------
-        Iterable of str
-            List of immediate child namespace names
+        ListNamespacesResponse
+            Response containing namespace names and optional page_token for pagination.
         """
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
@@ -585,26 +675,111 @@ class LanceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         )
 
     @override
-    def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse:
         """Create a new namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to create.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Creation mode - "create" (fail if exists), "exist_ok" (skip if exists),
+            or "overwrite" (replace if exists). Case insensitive.
+        properties: Dict[str, str], optional
+            Properties to set on the namespace.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        CreateNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the properties of the created namespace.
         """
-        LOOP.run(self._conn.create_namespace(namespace=namespace))
+        return LOOP.run(
+            self._conn.create_namespace(
+                namespace=namespace, mode=mode, properties=properties
+            )
+        )
 
     @override
-    def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse:
         """Drop a namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to drop.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Whether to skip if not exists ("SKIP") or fail ("FAIL"). Case insensitive.
+        behavior: str, optional
+            Whether to restrict drop if not empty ("RESTRICT") or cascade ("CASCADE").
+            Case insensitive.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DropNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing properties and transaction_id if applicable.
         """
-        return LOOP.run(self._conn.drop_namespace(namespace=namespace))
+        return LOOP.run(
+            self._conn.drop_namespace(namespace=namespace, mode=mode, behavior=behavior)
+        )
+
+    @override
+    def describe_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse:
+        """Describe a namespace.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str]
+            The namespace identifier to describe.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DescribeNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the namespace properties.
+        """
+        return LOOP.run(self._conn.describe_namespace(namespace=namespace))
+
+    @override
+    def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse:
+        """List all tables in this database with pagination support.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str], optional
+            The namespace to list tables in.
+            None or empty list represents root namespace.
+        page_token: str, optional
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ListTablesResponse
+            Response containing table names and optional page_token for pagination.
+        """
+        if namespace is None:
+            namespace = []
+        return LOOP.run(
+            self._conn.list_tables(
+                namespace=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit
+            )
+        )
 
     @override
     def table_names(
@@ -616,6 +791,9 @@ class LanceDBConnection(DBConnection):
     ) -> Iterable[str]:
         """Get the names of all tables in the database. The names are sorted.
 
+        .. deprecated::
+            Use :meth:`list_tables` instead, which provides proper pagination support.
+
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str], optional
@@ -630,6 +808,13 @@ class LanceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         Iterator of str.
             A list of table names.
         """
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            "table_names() is deprecated, use list_tables() instead",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
         return LOOP.run(
@@ -944,8 +1129,8 @@ class AsyncConnection(object):
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         page_token: Optional[str] = None,
-        limit: int = 10,
-    ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse:
         """List immediate child namespace names in the given namespace.
 
         Parameters
@@ -955,39 +1140,128 @@ class AsyncConnection(object):
             None or empty list represents root namespace.
         page_token: str, optional
             The token to use for pagination. If not present, start from the beginning.
-        limit: int, default 10
-            The size of the page to return.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
 
         Returns
         -------
-        Iterable of str
-            List of immediate child namespace names (not full paths)
+        ListNamespacesResponse
+            Response containing namespace names and optional pagination token
         """
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
-        return await self._inner.list_namespaces(
+        result = await self._inner.list_namespaces(
             namespace=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit
         )
+        return ListNamespacesResponse(**result)
 
-    async def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    async def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse:
         """Create a new namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to create.
-        """
-        await self._inner.create_namespace(namespace)
+        mode: str, optional
+            Creation mode - "create", "exist_ok", or "overwrite". Case insensitive.
+        properties: Dict[str, str], optional
+            Properties to associate with the namespace
 
-    async def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+        Returns
+        -------
+        CreateNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing namespace properties
+        """
+        result = await self._inner.create_namespace(
+            namespace,
+            mode=_normalize_create_namespace_mode(mode),
+            properties=properties,
+        )
+        return CreateNamespaceResponse(**result)
+
+    async def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse:
         """Drop a namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to drop.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Whether to skip if not exists ("SKIP") or fail ("FAIL"). Case insensitive.
+        behavior: str, optional
+            Whether to restrict drop if not empty ("RESTRICT") or cascade ("CASCADE").
+            Case insensitive.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DropNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing properties and transaction_id if applicable.
         """
-        await self._inner.drop_namespace(namespace)
+        result = await self._inner.drop_namespace(
+            namespace,
+            mode=_normalize_drop_namespace_mode(mode),
+            behavior=_normalize_drop_namespace_behavior(behavior),
+        )
+        return DropNamespaceResponse(**result)
+
+    async def describe_namespace(
+        self, namespace: List[str]
+    ) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse:
+        """Describe a namespace.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str]
+            The namespace identifier to describe.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DescribeNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the namespace properties.
+        """
+        result = await self._inner.describe_namespace(namespace)
+        return DescribeNamespaceResponse(**result)
+
+    async def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse:
+        """List all tables in this database with pagination support.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str], optional
+            The namespace to list tables in.
+            None or empty list represents root namespace.
+        page_token: str, optional
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ListTablesResponse
+            Response containing table names and optional page_token for pagination.
+        """
+        if namespace is None:
+            namespace = []
+        result = await self._inner.list_tables(
+            namespace=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit
+        )
+        return ListTablesResponse(**result)
 
     async def table_names(
         self,
@@ -998,6 +1272,9 @@ class AsyncConnection(object):
     ) -> Iterable[str]:
         """List all tables in this database, in sorted order
 
+        .. deprecated::
+            Use :meth:`list_tables` instead, which provides proper pagination support.
+
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str], optional
@@ -1016,6 +1293,13 @@ class AsyncConnection(object):
         -------
         Iterable of str
         """
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            "table_names() is deprecated, use list_tables() instead",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
         return await self._inner.table_names(

python/python/lancedb/namespace.py

@@ -23,7 +23,29 @@ from datetime import timedelta
 import pyarrow as pa
 
 from lancedb.db import DBConnection, LanceDBConnection
+from lancedb.namespace_utils import (
+    _normalize_create_namespace_mode,
+    _normalize_drop_namespace_mode,
+    _normalize_drop_namespace_behavior,
+)
 from lancedb.io import StorageOptionsProvider
+from lance_namespace import (
+    LanceNamespace,
+    connect as namespace_connect,
+    CreateNamespaceResponse,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse,
+    DropNamespaceResponse,
+    ListNamespacesResponse,
+    ListTablesResponse,
+    ListTablesRequest,
+    DescribeTableRequest,
+    DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    DropTableRequest,
+    ListNamespacesRequest,
+    CreateNamespaceRequest,
+    DropNamespaceRequest,
+    CreateEmptyTableRequest,
+)
 from lancedb.table import AsyncTable, LanceTable, Table
 from lancedb.util import validate_table_name
 from lancedb.common import DATA
@@ -31,19 +53,9 @@ from lancedb.pydantic import LanceModel
 from lancedb.embeddings import EmbeddingFunctionConfig
 from ._lancedb import Session
 
-from lance_namespace import LanceNamespace, connect as namespace_connect
-from lance_namespace_urllib3_client.models import (
-    ListTablesRequest,
-    DescribeTableRequest,
-    DropTableRequest,
-    ListNamespacesRequest,
-    CreateNamespaceRequest,
-    DropNamespaceRequest,
-    CreateEmptyTableRequest,
-    JsonArrowSchema,
-    JsonArrowField,
-    JsonArrowDataType,
-)
+from lance_namespace_urllib3_client.models.json_arrow_schema import JsonArrowSchema
+from lance_namespace_urllib3_client.models.json_arrow_field import JsonArrowField
+from lance_namespace_urllib3_client.models.json_arrow_data_type import JsonArrowDataType
 
 
 def _convert_pyarrow_type_to_json(arrow_type: pa.DataType) -> JsonArrowDataType:
@@ -241,6 +253,19 @@ class LanceNamespaceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         *,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
     ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        """
+        List table names in the database.
+
+        .. deprecated::
+            Use :meth:`list_tables` instead, which provides proper pagination support.
+        """
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            "table_names() is deprecated, use list_tables() instead",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
         request = ListTablesRequest(id=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit)
@@ -433,8 +458,8 @@ class LanceNamespaceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         page_token: Optional[str] = None,
-        limit: int = 10,
-    ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse:
         """
         List child namespaces under the given namespace.
 
@@ -444,14 +469,15 @@ class LanceNamespaceDBConnection(DBConnection):
             The parent namespace to list children from.
             If None, lists root-level namespaces.
         page_token : Optional[str]
-            Pagination token for listing results.
-        limit : int
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit : int, optional
             Maximum number of namespaces to return.
 
         Returns
         -------
-        Iterable[str]
-            Names of child namespaces.
+        ListNamespacesResponse
+            Response containing namespace names and optional page_token for pagination.
         """
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
@@ -459,10 +485,18 @@ class LanceNamespaceDBConnection(DBConnection):
             id=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit
         )
         response = self._ns.list_namespaces(request)
-        return response.namespaces if response.namespaces else []
+        return ListNamespacesResponse(
+            namespaces=response.namespaces if response.namespaces else [],
+            page_token=response.page_token,
+        )
 
     @override
-    def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse:
         """
         Create a new namespace.
 
@@ -470,12 +504,34 @@ class LanceNamespaceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         ----------
         namespace : List[str]
             The namespace path to create.
+        mode : str, optional
+            Creation mode - "create" (fail if exists), "exist_ok" (skip if exists),
+            or "overwrite" (replace if exists). Case insensitive.
+        properties : Dict[str, str], optional
+            Properties to set on the namespace.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        CreateNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the properties of the created namespace.
         """
-        request = CreateNamespaceRequest(id=namespace)
-        self._ns.create_namespace(request)
+        request = CreateNamespaceRequest(
+            id=namespace,
+            mode=_normalize_create_namespace_mode(mode),
+            properties=properties,
+        )
+        response = self._ns.create_namespace(request)
+        return CreateNamespaceResponse(
+            properties=response.properties if hasattr(response, "properties") else None
+        )
 
     @override
-    def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse:
         """
         Drop a namespace.
 
@@ -483,9 +539,87 @@ class LanceNamespaceDBConnection(DBConnection):
         ----------
         namespace : List[str]
             The namespace path to drop.
+        mode : str, optional
+            Whether to skip if not exists ("SKIP") or fail ("FAIL"). Case insensitive.
+        behavior : str, optional
+            Whether to restrict drop if not empty ("RESTRICT") or cascade ("CASCADE").
+            Case insensitive.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DropNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing properties and transaction_id if applicable.
         """
-        request = DropNamespaceRequest(id=namespace)
-        self._ns.drop_namespace(request)
+        request = DropNamespaceRequest(
+            id=namespace,
+            mode=_normalize_drop_namespace_mode(mode),
+            behavior=_normalize_drop_namespace_behavior(behavior),
+        )
+        response = self._ns.drop_namespace(request)
+        return DropNamespaceResponse(
+            properties=(
+                response.properties if hasattr(response, "properties") else None
+            ),
+            transaction_id=(
+                response.transaction_id if hasattr(response, "transaction_id") else None
+            ),
+        )
+
+    @override
+    def describe_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse:
+        """
+        Describe a namespace.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace : List[str]
+            The namespace identifier to describe.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DescribeNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the namespace properties.
+        """
+        request = DescribeNamespaceRequest(id=namespace)
+        response = self._ns.describe_namespace(request)
+        return DescribeNamespaceResponse(
+            properties=response.properties if hasattr(response, "properties") else None
+        )
+
+    @override
+    def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse:
+        """
+        List all tables in this database with pagination support.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace : List[str], optional
+            The namespace to list tables in.
+            None or empty list represents root namespace.
+        page_token : str, optional
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit : int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ListTablesResponse
+            Response containing table names and optional page_token for pagination.
+        """
+        if namespace is None:
+            namespace = []
+        request = ListTablesRequest(id=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit)
+        response = self._ns.list_tables(request)
+        return ListTablesResponse(
+            tables=response.tables if response.tables else [],
+            page_token=response.page_token,
+        )
 
     def _lance_table_from_uri(
         self,
@@ -563,7 +697,19 @@ class AsyncLanceNamespaceDBConnection:
         *,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
     ) -> Iterable[str]:
-        """List table names in the namespace."""
+        """
+        List table names in the namespace.
+
+        .. deprecated::
+            Use :meth:`list_tables` instead, which provides proper pagination support.
+        """
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            "table_names() is deprecated, use list_tables() instead",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
         request = ListTablesRequest(id=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit)
@@ -771,8 +917,8 @@ class AsyncLanceNamespaceDBConnection:
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         page_token: Optional[str] = None,
-        limit: int = 10,
-    ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse:
         """
         List child namespaces under the given namespace.
 
@@ -782,14 +928,15 @@ class AsyncLanceNamespaceDBConnection:
             The parent namespace to list children from.
             If None, lists root-level namespaces.
         page_token : Optional[str]
-            Pagination token for listing results.
-        limit : int
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit : int, optional
             Maximum number of namespaces to return.
 
         Returns
         -------
-        Iterable[str]
-            Names of child namespaces.
+        ListNamespacesResponse
+            Response containing namespace names and optional page_token for pagination.
         """
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
@@ -797,9 +944,17 @@ class AsyncLanceNamespaceDBConnection:
             id=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit
         )
         response = self._ns.list_namespaces(request)
-        return response.namespaces if response.namespaces else []
+        return ListNamespacesResponse(
+            namespaces=response.namespaces if response.namespaces else [],
+            page_token=response.page_token,
+        )
 
-    async def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    async def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse:
         """
         Create a new namespace.
 
@@ -807,11 +962,33 @@ class AsyncLanceNamespaceDBConnection:
         ----------
         namespace : List[str]
             The namespace path to create.
-        """
-        request = CreateNamespaceRequest(id=namespace)
-        self._ns.create_namespace(request)
+        mode : str, optional
+            Creation mode - "create" (fail if exists), "exist_ok" (skip if exists),
+            or "overwrite" (replace if exists). Case insensitive.
+        properties : Dict[str, str], optional
+            Properties to set on the namespace.
 
-    async def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+        Returns
+        -------
+        CreateNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the properties of the created namespace.
+        """
+        request = CreateNamespaceRequest(
+            id=namespace,
+            mode=_normalize_create_namespace_mode(mode),
+            properties=properties,
+        )
+        response = self._ns.create_namespace(request)
+        return CreateNamespaceResponse(
+            properties=response.properties if hasattr(response, "properties") else None
+        )
+
+    async def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse:
         """
         Drop a namespace.
 
@@ -819,9 +996,87 @@ class AsyncLanceNamespaceDBConnection:
         ----------
         namespace : List[str]
             The namespace path to drop.
+        mode : str, optional
+            Whether to skip if not exists ("SKIP") or fail ("FAIL"). Case insensitive.
+        behavior : str, optional
+            Whether to restrict drop if not empty ("RESTRICT") or cascade ("CASCADE").
+            Case insensitive.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DropNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing properties and transaction_id if applicable.
         """
-        request = DropNamespaceRequest(id=namespace)
-        self._ns.drop_namespace(request)
+        request = DropNamespaceRequest(
+            id=namespace,
+            mode=_normalize_drop_namespace_mode(mode),
+            behavior=_normalize_drop_namespace_behavior(behavior),
+        )
+        response = self._ns.drop_namespace(request)
+        return DropNamespaceResponse(
+            properties=(
+                response.properties if hasattr(response, "properties") else None
+            ),
+            transaction_id=(
+                response.transaction_id if hasattr(response, "transaction_id") else None
+            ),
+        )
+
+    async def describe_namespace(
+        self, namespace: List[str]
+    ) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse:
+        """
+        Describe a namespace.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace : List[str]
+            The namespace identifier to describe.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DescribeNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the namespace properties.
+        """
+        request = DescribeNamespaceRequest(id=namespace)
+        response = self._ns.describe_namespace(request)
+        return DescribeNamespaceResponse(
+            properties=response.properties if hasattr(response, "properties") else None
+        )
+
+    async def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse:
+        """
+        List all tables in this database with pagination support.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace : List[str], optional
+            The namespace to list tables in.
+            None or empty list represents root namespace.
+        page_token : str, optional
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit : int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ListTablesResponse
+            Response containing table names and optional page_token for pagination.
+        """
+        if namespace is None:
+            namespace = []
+        request = ListTablesRequest(id=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit)
+        response = self._ns.list_tables(request)
+        return ListTablesResponse(
+            tables=response.tables if response.tables else [],
+            page_token=response.page_token,
+        )
 
 
 def connect_namespace(

python/python/lancedb/namespace_utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright The LanceDB Authors
+
+"""Utility functions for namespace operations."""
+
+from typing import Optional
+
+
+def _normalize_create_namespace_mode(mode: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Normalize create namespace mode to lowercase (API expects lowercase)."""
+    if mode is None:
+        return None
+    return mode.lower()
+
+
+def _normalize_drop_namespace_mode(mode: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Normalize drop namespace mode to uppercase (API expects uppercase)."""
+    if mode is None:
+        return None
+    return mode.upper()
+
+
+def _normalize_drop_namespace_behavior(behavior: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Normalize drop namespace behavior to uppercase (API expects uppercase)."""
+    if behavior is None:
+        return None
+    return behavior.upper()

python/python/lancedb/remote/db.py

@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ import pyarrow as pa
 from ..common import DATA
 from ..db import DBConnection, LOOP
 from ..embeddings import EmbeddingFunctionConfig
+from lance_namespace import (
+    CreateNamespaceResponse,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse,
+    DropNamespaceResponse,
+    ListNamespacesResponse,
+    ListTablesResponse,
+)
 from ..pydantic import LanceModel
 from ..table import Table
 from ..util import validate_table_name
@@ -106,8 +113,8 @@ class RemoteDBConnection(DBConnection):
         self,
         namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         page_token: Optional[str] = None,
-        limit: int = 10,
-    ) -> Iterable[str]:
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListNamespacesResponse:
         """List immediate child namespace names in the given namespace.
 
         Parameters
@@ -116,14 +123,15 @@ class RemoteDBConnection(DBConnection):
             The parent namespace to list namespaces in.
             None or empty list represents root namespace.
         page_token: str, optional
-            The token to use for pagination. If not present, start from the beginning.
-        limit: int, default 10
-            The size of the page to return.
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
 
         Returns
         -------
-        Iterable of str
-            List of immediate child namespace names
+        ListNamespacesResponse
+            Response containing namespace names and optional page_token for pagination.
         """
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
@@ -134,26 +142,111 @@ class RemoteDBConnection(DBConnection):
         )
 
     @override
-    def create_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def create_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        properties: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
+    ) -> CreateNamespaceResponse:
         """Create a new namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to create.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Creation mode - "create" (fail if exists), "exist_ok" (skip if exists),
+            or "overwrite" (replace if exists). Case insensitive.
+        properties: Dict[str, str], optional
+            Properties to set on the namespace.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        CreateNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the properties of the created namespace.
         """
-        LOOP.run(self._conn.create_namespace(namespace=namespace))
+        return LOOP.run(
+            self._conn.create_namespace(
+                namespace=namespace, mode=mode, properties=properties
+            )
+        )
 
     @override
-    def drop_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> None:
+    def drop_namespace(
+        self,
+        namespace: List[str],
+        mode: Optional[str] = None,
+        behavior: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> DropNamespaceResponse:
         """Drop a namespace.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str]
             The namespace identifier to drop.
+        mode: str, optional
+            Whether to skip if not exists ("SKIP") or fail ("FAIL"). Case insensitive.
+        behavior: str, optional
+            Whether to restrict drop if not empty ("RESTRICT") or cascade ("CASCADE").
+            Case insensitive.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DropNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing properties and transaction_id if applicable.
         """
-        return LOOP.run(self._conn.drop_namespace(namespace=namespace))
+        return LOOP.run(
+            self._conn.drop_namespace(namespace=namespace, mode=mode, behavior=behavior)
+        )
+
+    @override
+    def describe_namespace(self, namespace: List[str]) -> DescribeNamespaceResponse:
+        """Describe a namespace.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str]
+            The namespace identifier to describe.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        DescribeNamespaceResponse
+            Response containing the namespace properties.
+        """
+        return LOOP.run(self._conn.describe_namespace(namespace=namespace))
+
+    @override
+    def list_tables(
+        self,
+        namespace: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        page_token: Optional[str] = None,
+        limit: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> ListTablesResponse:
+        """List all tables in this database with pagination support.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        namespace: List[str], optional
+            The namespace to list tables in.
+            None or empty list represents root namespace.
+        page_token: str, optional
+            Token for pagination. Use the token from a previous response
+            to get the next page of results.
+        limit: int, optional
+            The maximum number of results to return.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        ListTablesResponse
+            Response containing table names and optional page_token for pagination.
+        """
+        if namespace is None:
+            namespace = []
+        return LOOP.run(
+            self._conn.list_tables(
+                namespace=namespace, page_token=page_token, limit=limit
+            )
+        )
 
     @override
     def table_names(
@@ -165,6 +258,9 @@ class RemoteDBConnection(DBConnection):
     ) -> Iterable[str]:
         """List the names of all tables in the database.
 
+        .. deprecated::
+            Use :meth:`list_tables` instead, which provides proper pagination support.
+
         Parameters
         ----------
         namespace: List[str], default []
@@ -179,6 +275,13 @@ class RemoteDBConnection(DBConnection):
         -------
         An iterator of table names.
         """
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            "table_names() is deprecated, use list_tables() instead",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
         if namespace is None:
             namespace = []
         return LOOP.run(

python/python/tests/test_db.py

@@ -892,7 +892,7 @@ def test_local_namespace_operations(tmp_path):
     db = lancedb.connect(tmp_path)
 
     # Test list_namespaces returns empty list for root namespace
-    namespaces = list(db.list_namespaces())
+    namespaces = db.list_namespaces().namespaces
     assert namespaces == []
 
     # Test list_namespaces with non-empty namespace raises NotImplementedError
@@ -900,7 +900,7 @@ def test_local_namespace_operations(tmp_path):
         NotImplementedError,
         match="Namespace operations are not supported for listing database",
     ):
-        list(db.list_namespaces(namespace=["test"]))
+        db.list_namespaces(namespace=["test"])
 
 
 def test_local_create_namespace_not_supported(tmp_path):

python/python/tests/test_namespace.py

@@ -279,13 +279,13 @@ class TestNamespaceConnection:
         db = lancedb.connect_namespace("dir", {"root": self.temp_dir})
 
         # Initially no namespaces
-        assert len(list(db.list_namespaces())) == 0
+        assert len(db.list_namespaces().namespaces) == 0
 
         # Create a namespace
         db.create_namespace(["test_namespace"])
 
         # Verify namespace exists
-        namespaces = list(db.list_namespaces())
+        namespaces = db.list_namespaces().namespaces
         assert "test_namespace" in namespaces
         assert len(namespaces) == 1
 
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ class TestNamespaceConnection:
         db.drop_namespace(["test_namespace"])
 
         # Verify namespace no longer exists
-        namespaces = list(db.list_namespaces())
+        namespaces = db.list_namespaces().namespaces
         assert len(namespaces) == 0
 
     def test_namespace_with_tables_cannot_be_dropped(self):
@@ -570,13 +570,13 @@ class TestAsyncNamespaceConnection:
 
         # Initially no namespaces
         namespaces = await db.list_namespaces()
-        assert len(list(namespaces)) == 0
+        assert len(namespaces.namespaces) == 0
 
         # Create a namespace
         await db.create_namespace(["test_namespace"])
 
         # Verify namespace exists
-        namespaces = list(await db.list_namespaces())
+        namespaces = (await db.list_namespaces()).namespaces
         assert "test_namespace" in namespaces
         assert len(namespaces) == 1
 
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ class TestAsyncNamespaceConnection:
         await db.drop_namespace(["test_namespace"])
 
         # Verify namespace no longer exists
-        namespaces = list(await db.list_namespaces())
+        namespaces = (await db.list_namespaces()).namespaces
         assert len(namespaces) == 0
 
     async def test_drop_all_tables_async(self):

python/src/connection.rs

@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ use lancedb::{
 };
 use pyo3::{
     exceptions::{PyRuntimeError, PyValueError},
-    pyclass, pyfunction, pymethods, Bound, FromPyObject, Py, PyAny, PyObject, PyRef, PyResult,
-    Python,
+    pyclass, pyfunction, pymethods,
+    types::{PyDict, PyDictMethods},
+    Bound, FromPyObject, Py, PyAny, PyObject, PyRef, PyResult, Python,
 };
 use pyo3_async_runtimes::tokio::future_into_py;
 
@@ -292,40 +293,155 @@ impl Connection {
         limit: Option<u32>,
     ) -> PyResult<Bound<'_, PyAny>> {
         let inner = self_.get_inner()?.clone();
-        future_into_py(self_.py(), async move {
-            use lancedb::database::ListNamespacesRequest;
+        let py = self_.py();
+        future_into_py(py, async move {
+            use lance_namespace::models::ListNamespacesRequest;
             let request = ListNamespacesRequest {
-                namespace,
+                id: if namespace.is_empty() {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(namespace)
+                },
                 page_token,
-                limit,
+                limit: limit.map(|l| l as i32),
             };
-            inner.list_namespaces(request).await.infer_error()
+            let response = inner.list_namespaces(request).await.infer_error()?;
+            Python::with_gil(|py| -> PyResult<Py<PyDict>> {
+                let dict = PyDict::new(py);
+                dict.set_item("namespaces", response.namespaces)?;
+                dict.set_item("page_token", response.page_token)?;
+                Ok(dict.unbind())
+            })
         })
     }
 
-    #[pyo3(signature = (namespace,))]
+    #[pyo3(signature = (namespace, mode=None, properties=None))]
     pub fn create_namespace(
         self_: PyRef<'_, Self>,
         namespace: Vec<String>,
+        mode: Option<String>,
+        properties: Option<std::collections::HashMap<String, String>>,
     ) -> PyResult<Bound<'_, PyAny>> {
         let inner = self_.get_inner()?.clone();
-        future_into_py(self_.py(), async move {
-            use lancedb::database::CreateNamespaceRequest;
-            let request = CreateNamespaceRequest { namespace };
-            inner.create_namespace(request).await.infer_error()
+        let py = self_.py();
+        future_into_py(py, async move {
+            use lance_namespace::models::{create_namespace_request, CreateNamespaceRequest};
+            let mode_enum = mode.and_then(|m| match m.to_lowercase().as_str() {
+                "create" => Some(create_namespace_request::Mode::Create),
+                "exist_ok" => Some(create_namespace_request::Mode::ExistOk),
+                "overwrite" => Some(create_namespace_request::Mode::Overwrite),
+                _ => None,
+            });
+            let request = CreateNamespaceRequest {
+                id: if namespace.is_empty() {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(namespace)
+                },
+                mode: mode_enum,
+                properties,
+            };
+            let response = inner.create_namespace(request).await.infer_error()?;
+            Python::with_gil(|py| -> PyResult<Py<PyDict>> {
+                let dict = PyDict::new(py);
+                dict.set_item("properties", response.properties)?;
+                Ok(dict.unbind())
+            })
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[pyo3(signature = (namespace, mode=None, behavior=None))]
+    pub fn drop_namespace(
+        self_: PyRef<'_, Self>,
+        namespace: Vec<String>,
+        mode: Option<String>,
+        behavior: Option<String>,
+    ) -> PyResult<Bound<'_, PyAny>> {
+        let inner = self_.get_inner()?.clone();
+        let py = self_.py();
+        future_into_py(py, async move {
+            use lance_namespace::models::{drop_namespace_request, DropNamespaceRequest};
+            let mode_enum = mode.and_then(|m| match m.to_uppercase().as_str() {
+                "SKIP" => Some(drop_namespace_request::Mode::Skip),
+                "FAIL" => Some(drop_namespace_request::Mode::Fail),
+                _ => None,
+            });
+            let behavior_enum = behavior.and_then(|b| match b.to_uppercase().as_str() {
+                "RESTRICT" => Some(drop_namespace_request::Behavior::Restrict),
+                "CASCADE" => Some(drop_namespace_request::Behavior::Cascade),
+                _ => None,
+            });
+            let request = DropNamespaceRequest {
+                id: if namespace.is_empty() {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(namespace)
+                },
+                mode: mode_enum,
+                behavior: behavior_enum,
+            };
+            let response = inner.drop_namespace(request).await.infer_error()?;
+            Python::with_gil(|py| -> PyResult<Py<PyDict>> {
+                let dict = PyDict::new(py);
+                dict.set_item("properties", response.properties)?;
+                dict.set_item("transaction_id", response.transaction_id)?;
+                Ok(dict.unbind())
+            })
         })
     }
 
     #[pyo3(signature = (namespace,))]
-    pub fn drop_namespace(
+    pub fn describe_namespace(
         self_: PyRef<'_, Self>,
         namespace: Vec<String>,
     ) -> PyResult<Bound<'_, PyAny>> {
         let inner = self_.get_inner()?.clone();
-        future_into_py(self_.py(), async move {
-            use lancedb::database::DropNamespaceRequest;
-            let request = DropNamespaceRequest { namespace };
-            inner.drop_namespace(request).await.infer_error()
+        let py = self_.py();
+        future_into_py(py, async move {
+            use lance_namespace::models::DescribeNamespaceRequest;
+            let request = DescribeNamespaceRequest {
+                id: if namespace.is_empty() {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(namespace)
+                },
+            };
+            let response = inner.describe_namespace(request).await.infer_error()?;
+            Python::with_gil(|py| -> PyResult<Py<PyDict>> {
+                let dict = PyDict::new(py);
+                dict.set_item("properties", response.properties)?;
+                Ok(dict.unbind())
+            })
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[pyo3(signature = (namespace=vec![], page_token=None, limit=None))]
+    pub fn list_tables(
+        self_: PyRef<'_, Self>,
+        namespace: Vec<String>,
+        page_token: Option<String>,
+        limit: Option<u32>,
+    ) -> PyResult<Bound<'_, PyAny>> {
+        let inner = self_.get_inner()?.clone();
+        let py = self_.py();
+        future_into_py(py, async move {
+            use lance_namespace::models::ListTablesRequest;
+            let request = ListTablesRequest {
+                id: if namespace.is_empty() {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(namespace)
+                },
+                page_token,
+                limit: limit.map(|l| l as i32),
+            };
+            let response = inner.list_tables(request).await.infer_error()?;
+            Python::with_gil(|py| -> PyResult<Py<PyDict>> {
+                let dict = PyDict::new(py);
+                dict.set_item("tables", response.tables)?;
+                dict.set_item("page_token", response.page_token)?;
+                Ok(dict.unbind())
+            })
         })
     }
 }

rust/lancedb/src/connection.rs

@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use arrow_array::RecordBatchReader;
 use arrow_schema::{Field, SchemaRef};
 use lance::dataset::ReadParams;
+use lance_namespace::models::{
+    CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateNamespaceResponse, DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse, DropNamespaceRequest, DropNamespaceResponse, ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ListNamespacesResponse, ListTablesRequest, ListTablesResponse,
+};
 #[cfg(feature = "aws")]
 use object_store::aws::AwsCredential;
 
@@ -17,9 +22,8 @@ use crate::database::listing::{
     ListingDatabase, OPT_NEW_TABLE_STORAGE_VERSION, OPT_NEW_TABLE_V2_MANIFEST_PATHS,
 };
 use crate::database::{
-    CloneTableRequest, CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateTableData, CreateTableMode,
-    CreateTableRequest, Database, DatabaseOptions, DropNamespaceRequest, ListNamespacesRequest,
-    OpenTableRequest, ReadConsistency, TableNamesRequest,
+    CloneTableRequest, CreateTableData, CreateTableMode, CreateTableRequest, Database,
+    DatabaseOptions, OpenTableRequest, ReadConsistency, TableNamesRequest,
 };
 use crate::embeddings::{
     EmbeddingDefinition, EmbeddingFunction, EmbeddingRegistry, MemoryRegistry, WithEmbeddings,
@@ -74,6 +78,7 @@ impl TableNamesBuilder {
     }
 
     /// Execute the table names operation
+    #[allow(deprecated)]
     pub async fn execute(self) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
         self.parent.clone().table_names(self.request).await
     }
@@ -768,20 +773,42 @@ impl Connection {
     }
 
     /// List immediate child namespace names in the given namespace
-    pub async fn list_namespaces(&self, request: ListNamespacesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    pub async fn list_namespaces(
+        &self,
+        request: ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ) -> Result<ListNamespacesResponse> {
         self.internal.list_namespaces(request).await
     }
 
     /// Create a new namespace
-    pub async fn create_namespace(&self, request: CreateNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
+    pub async fn create_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: CreateNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<CreateNamespaceResponse> {
         self.internal.create_namespace(request).await
     }
 
     /// Drop a namespace
-    pub async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
+    pub async fn drop_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: DropNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DropNamespaceResponse> {
         self.internal.drop_namespace(request).await
     }
 
+    /// Describe a namespace
+    pub async fn describe_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DescribeNamespaceResponse> {
+        self.internal.describe_namespace(request).await
+    }
+
+    /// List tables with pagination support
+    pub async fn list_tables(&self, request: ListTablesRequest) -> Result<ListTablesResponse> {
+        self.internal.list_tables(request).await
+    }
+
     /// Get the in-memory embedding registry.
     /// It's important to note that the embedding registry is not persisted across connections.
     /// So if a table contains embeddings, you will need to make sure that you are using a connection that has the same embedding functions registered

rust/lancedb/src/database.rs

@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ use datafusion_physical_plan::stream::RecordBatchStreamAdapter;
 use futures::stream;
 use lance::dataset::ReadParams;
 use lance_datafusion::utils::StreamingWriteSource;
+use lance_namespace::models::{
+    CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateNamespaceResponse, DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse, DropNamespaceRequest, DropNamespaceResponse, ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ListNamespacesResponse, ListTablesRequest, ListTablesResponse,
+};
 use lance_namespace::LanceNamespace;
 
 use crate::arrow::{SendableRecordBatchStream, SendableRecordBatchStreamExt};
@@ -37,32 +42,7 @@ pub trait DatabaseOptions {
     fn serialize_into_map(&self, map: &mut HashMap<String, String>);
 }
 
-/// A request to list namespaces in the database
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default)]
-pub struct ListNamespacesRequest {
-    /// The parent namespace to list namespaces in. Empty list represents root namespace.
-    pub namespace: Vec<String>,
-    /// If present, only return names that come lexicographically after the supplied value.
-    pub page_token: Option<String>,
-    /// The maximum number of namespace names to return
-    pub limit: Option<u32>,
-}
-
-/// A request to create a namespace
-#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
-pub struct CreateNamespaceRequest {
-    /// The namespace identifier to create
-    pub namespace: Vec<String>,
-}
-
-/// A request to drop a namespace
-#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
-pub struct DropNamespaceRequest {
-    /// The namespace identifier to drop
-    pub namespace: Vec<String>,
-}
-
-/// A request to list names of tables in the database
+/// A request to list names of tables in the database (deprecated, use ListTablesRequest)
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default)]
 pub struct TableNamesRequest {
     /// The namespace to list tables in. Empty list represents root namespace.
@@ -268,13 +248,30 @@ pub trait Database:
     /// Get the read consistency of the database
     async fn read_consistency(&self) -> Result<ReadConsistency>;
     /// List immediate child namespace names in the given namespace
-    async fn list_namespaces(&self, request: ListNamespacesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>>;
+    async fn list_namespaces(
+        &self,
+        request: ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ) -> Result<ListNamespacesResponse>;
     /// Create a new namespace
-    async fn create_namespace(&self, request: CreateNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()>;
+    async fn create_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: CreateNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<CreateNamespaceResponse>;
     /// Drop a namespace
-    async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()>;
+    async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<DropNamespaceResponse>;
+    /// Describe a namespace (get its properties)
+    async fn describe_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DescribeNamespaceResponse>;
     /// List the names of tables in the database
+    ///
+    /// # Deprecated
+    /// Use `list_tables` instead for pagination support
+    #[deprecated(note = "Use list_tables instead")]
     async fn table_names(&self, request: TableNamesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>>;
+    /// List tables in the database with pagination support
+    async fn list_tables(&self, request: ListTablesRequest) -> Result<ListTablesResponse>;
     /// Create a table in the database
     async fn create_table(&self, request: CreateTableRequest) -> Result<Arc<dyn BaseTable>>;
     /// Clone a table in the database.

rust/lancedb/src/database/listing.rs

@@ -24,10 +24,15 @@ use crate::io::object_store::MirroringObjectStoreWrapper;
 use crate::table::NativeTable;
 use crate::utils::validate_table_name;
 
+use lance_namespace::models::{
+    CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateNamespaceResponse, DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse, DropNamespaceRequest, DropNamespaceResponse, ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ListNamespacesResponse, ListTablesRequest, ListTablesResponse,
+};
+
 use super::{
-    BaseTable, CloneTableRequest, CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateTableMode, CreateTableRequest,
-    Database, DatabaseOptions, DropNamespaceRequest, ListNamespacesRequest, OpenTableRequest,
-    TableNamesRequest,
+    BaseTable, CloneTableRequest, CreateTableMode, CreateTableRequest, Database, DatabaseOptions,
+    OpenTableRequest, TableNamesRequest,
 };
 
 /// File extension to indicate a lance table
@@ -663,14 +668,20 @@ impl ListingDatabase {
 
 #[async_trait::async_trait]
 impl Database for ListingDatabase {
-    async fn list_namespaces(&self, request: ListNamespacesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
-        if !request.namespace.is_empty() {
+    async fn list_namespaces(
+        &self,
+        request: ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ) -> Result<ListNamespacesResponse> {
+        if request.id.as_ref().map(|v| !v.is_empty()).unwrap_or(false) {
             return Err(Error::NotSupported {
                 message: "Namespace operations are not supported for listing database".into(),
             });
         }
 
-        Ok(Vec::new())
+        Ok(ListNamespacesResponse {
+            namespaces: Vec::new(),
+            page_token: None,
+        })
     }
 
     fn uri(&self) -> &str {
@@ -689,13 +700,28 @@ impl Database for ListingDatabase {
         }
     }
 
-    async fn create_namespace(&self, _request: CreateNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
+    async fn create_namespace(
+        &self,
+        _request: CreateNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<CreateNamespaceResponse> {
         Err(Error::NotSupported {
             message: "Namespace operations are not supported for listing database".into(),
         })
     }
 
-    async fn drop_namespace(&self, _request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
+    async fn drop_namespace(
+        &self,
+        _request: DropNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DropNamespaceResponse> {
+        Err(Error::NotSupported {
+            message: "Namespace operations are not supported for listing database".into(),
+        })
+    }
+
+    async fn describe_namespace(
+        &self,
+        _request: DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DescribeNamespaceResponse> {
         Err(Error::NotSupported {
             message: "Namespace operations are not supported for listing database".into(),
         })
@@ -736,6 +762,57 @@ impl Database for ListingDatabase {
         Ok(f)
     }
 
+    async fn list_tables(&self, request: ListTablesRequest) -> Result<ListTablesResponse> {
+        if request.id.as_ref().map(|v| !v.is_empty()).unwrap_or(false) {
+            return Err(Error::NotSupported {
+                message: "Namespace parameter is not supported for listing database. Only root namespace is supported.".into(),
+            });
+        }
+        let mut f = self
+            .object_store
+            .read_dir(self.base_path.clone())
+            .await?
+            .iter()
+            .map(Path::new)
+            .filter(|path| {
+                let is_lance = path
+                    .extension()
+                    .and_then(|e| e.to_str())
+                    .map(|e| e == LANCE_EXTENSION);
+                is_lance.unwrap_or(false)
+            })
+            .filter_map(|p| p.file_stem().and_then(|s| s.to_str().map(String::from)))
+            .collect::<Vec<String>>();
+        f.sort();
+
+        // Handle pagination with page_token
+        if let Some(ref page_token) = request.page_token {
+            let index = f
+                .iter()
+                .position(|name| name.as_str() > page_token.as_str())
+                .unwrap_or(f.len());
+            f.drain(0..index);
+        }
+
+        // Determine if there's a next page
+        let next_page_token = if let Some(limit) = request.limit {
+            if f.len() > limit as usize {
+                let token = f[limit as usize].clone();
+                f.truncate(limit as usize);
+                Some(token)
+            } else {
+                None
+            }
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
+
+        Ok(ListTablesResponse {
+            tables: f,
+            page_token: next_page_token,
+        })
+    }
+
     async fn create_table(&self, request: CreateTableRequest) -> Result<Arc<dyn BaseTable>> {
         // When namespace is not empty, location must be provided
         if !request.namespace.is_empty() && request.location.is_none() {
@@ -951,6 +1028,7 @@ impl Database for ListingDatabase {
         self.drop_tables(vec![name.to_string()]).await
     }
 
+    #[allow(deprecated)]
     async fn drop_all_tables(&self, namespace: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
         // Check if namespace parameter is provided
         if !namespace.is_empty() {
@@ -1037,6 +1115,7 @@ mod tests {
             .unwrap();
 
         // Verify both tables exist
+        #[allow(deprecated)]
         let table_names = db.table_names(TableNamesRequest::default()).await.unwrap();
         assert!(table_names.contains(&"source_table".to_string()));
         assert!(table_names.contains(&"cloned_table".to_string()));
@@ -1733,6 +1812,7 @@ mod tests {
                 mode: CreateTableMode::Create,
                 write_options: Default::default(),
                 location: None,
+                namespace_client: None,
             })
             .await
             .unwrap();
@@ -1786,6 +1866,7 @@ mod tests {
                 mode: CreateTableMode::Create,
                 write_options,
                 location: None,
+                namespace_client: None,
             })
             .await
             .unwrap();
@@ -1859,6 +1940,7 @@ mod tests {
                 mode: CreateTableMode::Create,
                 write_options,
                 location: None,
+                namespace_client: None,
             })
             .await
             .unwrap();

rust/lancedb/src/database/namespace.rs

@@ -10,8 +10,10 @@ use async_trait::async_trait;
 use lance_io::object_store::{LanceNamespaceStorageOptionsProvider, StorageOptionsProvider};
 use lance_namespace::{
     models::{
-        CreateEmptyTableRequest, CreateNamespaceRequest, DescribeTableRequest,
-        DropNamespaceRequest, DropTableRequest, ListNamespacesRequest, ListTablesRequest,
+        CreateEmptyTableRequest, CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateNamespaceResponse,
+        DescribeNamespaceRequest, DescribeNamespaceResponse, DescribeTableRequest,
+        DropNamespaceRequest, DropNamespaceResponse, DropTableRequest, ListNamespacesRequest,
+        ListNamespacesResponse, ListTablesRequest, ListTablesResponse,
     },
     LanceNamespace,
 };
@@ -22,11 +24,8 @@ use crate::database::ReadConsistency;
 use crate::error::{Error, Result};
 
 use super::{
-    listing::ListingDatabase, BaseTable, CloneTableRequest,
-    CreateNamespaceRequest as DbCreateNamespaceRequest, CreateTableMode,
-    CreateTableRequest as DbCreateTableRequest, Database,
-    DropNamespaceRequest as DbDropNamespaceRequest,
-    ListNamespacesRequest as DbListNamespacesRequest, OpenTableRequest, TableNamesRequest,
+    listing::ListingDatabase, BaseTable, CloneTableRequest, CreateTableMode,
+    CreateTableRequest as DbCreateTableRequest, Database, OpenTableRequest, TableNamesRequest,
 };
 
 /// A database implementation that uses lance-namespace for table management
@@ -154,68 +153,29 @@ impl Database for LanceNamespaceDatabase {
         }
     }
 
-    async fn list_namespaces(&self, request: DbListNamespacesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
-        let ns_request = ListNamespacesRequest {
-            id: if request.namespace.is_empty() {
-                None
-            } else {
-                Some(request.namespace)
-            },
-            page_token: request.page_token,
-            limit: request.limit.map(|l| l as i32),
-        };
-
-        let response = self
-            .namespace
-            .list_namespaces(ns_request)
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| Error::Runtime {
-                message: format!("Failed to list namespaces: {}", e),
-            })?;
-
-        Ok(response.namespaces)
+    async fn list_namespaces(
+        &self,
+        request: ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ) -> Result<ListNamespacesResponse> {
+        Ok(self.namespace.list_namespaces(request).await?)
     }
 
-    async fn create_namespace(&self, request: DbCreateNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
-        let ns_request = CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            id: if request.namespace.is_empty() {
-                None
-            } else {
-                Some(request.namespace)
-            },
-            mode: None,
-            properties: None,
-        };
-
-        self.namespace
-            .create_namespace(ns_request)
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| Error::Runtime {
-                message: format!("Failed to create namespace: {}", e),
-            })?;
-
-        Ok(())
+    async fn create_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: CreateNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<CreateNamespaceResponse> {
+        Ok(self.namespace.create_namespace(request).await?)
     }
 
-    async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DbDropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
-        let ns_request = DropNamespaceRequest {
-            id: if request.namespace.is_empty() {
-                None
-            } else {
-                Some(request.namespace)
-            },
-            mode: None,
-            behavior: None,
-        };
+    async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<DropNamespaceResponse> {
+        Ok(self.namespace.drop_namespace(request).await?)
+    }
 
-        self.namespace
-            .drop_namespace(ns_request)
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| Error::Runtime {
-                message: format!("Failed to drop namespace: {}", e),
-            })?;
-
-        Ok(())
+    async fn describe_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DescribeNamespaceResponse> {
+        Ok(self.namespace.describe_namespace(request).await?)
     }
 
     async fn table_names(&self, request: TableNamesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
@@ -229,17 +189,15 @@ impl Database for LanceNamespaceDatabase {
             limit: request.limit.map(|l| l as i32),
         };
 
-        let response =
-            self.namespace
-                .list_tables(ns_request)
-                .await
-                .map_err(|e| Error::Runtime {
-                    message: format!("Failed to list tables: {}", e),
-                })?;
+        let response = self.namespace.list_tables(ns_request).await?;
 
         Ok(response.tables)
     }
 
+    async fn list_tables(&self, request: ListTablesRequest) -> Result<ListTablesResponse> {
+        Ok(self.namespace.list_tables(request).await?)
+    }
+
     async fn create_table(&self, request: DbCreateTableRequest) -> Result<Arc<dyn BaseTable>> {
         // Extract user-provided storage options from request
         let user_storage_options = request
@@ -451,6 +409,7 @@ impl Database for LanceNamespaceDatabase {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    #[allow(deprecated)]
     async fn drop_all_tables(&self, namespace: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
         let tables = self
             .table_names(TableNamesRequest {
@@ -477,7 +436,6 @@ impl Database for LanceNamespaceDatabase {
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::connect_namespace;
-    use crate::database::CreateNamespaceRequest;
     use crate::query::ExecutableQuery;
     use arrow_array::{Int32Array, RecordBatch, RecordBatchIterator, StringArray};
     use arrow_schema::{DataType, Field, Schema};
@@ -590,7 +548,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");
@@ -649,7 +609,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");
@@ -711,7 +673,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");
@@ -793,7 +757,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");
@@ -847,7 +813,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");
@@ -926,7 +894,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");
@@ -958,7 +928,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Create a child namespace first
         conn.create_namespace(CreateNamespaceRequest {
-            namespace: vec!["test_ns".into()],
+            id: Some(vec!["test_ns".into()]),
+            mode: None,
+            properties: None,
         })
         .await
         .expect("Failed to create namespace");

rust/lancedb/src/remote/db.rs

@@ -10,13 +10,17 @@ use http::StatusCode;
 use lance_io::object_store::StorageOptions;
 use moka::future::Cache;
 use reqwest::header::CONTENT_TYPE;
-use serde::Deserialize;
 use tokio::task::spawn_blocking;
 
+use lance_namespace::models::{
+    CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateNamespaceResponse, DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    DescribeNamespaceResponse, DropNamespaceRequest, DropNamespaceResponse, ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ListNamespacesResponse, ListTablesRequest, ListTablesResponse,
+};
+
 use crate::database::{
-    CloneTableRequest, CreateNamespaceRequest, CreateTableData, CreateTableMode,
-    CreateTableRequest, Database, DatabaseOptions, DropNamespaceRequest, ListNamespacesRequest,
-    OpenTableRequest, ReadConsistency, TableNamesRequest,
+    CloneTableRequest, CreateTableData, CreateTableMode, CreateTableRequest, Database,
+    DatabaseOptions, OpenTableRequest, ReadConsistency, TableNamesRequest,
 };
 use crate::error::Result;
 use crate::table::BaseTable;
@@ -180,11 +184,6 @@ impl RemoteDatabaseOptionsBuilder {
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
-struct ListTablesResponse {
-    tables: Vec<String>,
-}
-
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct RemoteDatabase<S: HttpSend = Sender> {
     client: RestfulLanceDbClient<S>,
@@ -337,7 +336,6 @@ impl<S: HttpSend> Database for RemoteDatabase<S> {
             self.client
                 .get(&format!("/v1/namespace/{}/table/list", namespace_id))
         } else {
-            // TODO: use new API for all listing operations once stable
             self.client.get("/v1/table/")
         };
 
@@ -371,6 +369,44 @@ impl<S: HttpSend> Database for RemoteDatabase<S> {
         Ok(tables)
     }
 
+    async fn list_tables(&self, request: ListTablesRequest) -> Result<ListTablesResponse> {
+        let namespace_parts = request.id.as_deref().unwrap_or(&[]);
+        let namespace_id = build_namespace_identifier(namespace_parts, &self.client.id_delimiter);
+        let mut req = self
+            .client
+            .get(&format!("/v1/namespace/{}/table/list", namespace_id));
+
+        if let Some(limit) = request.limit {
+            req = req.query(&[("limit", limit)]);
+        }
+        if let Some(ref page_token) = request.page_token {
+            req = req.query(&[("page_token", page_token)]);
+        }
+
+        let (request_id, rsp) = self.client.send_with_retry(req, None, true).await?;
+        let rsp = self.client.check_response(&request_id, rsp).await?;
+        let version = parse_server_version(&request_id, &rsp)?;
+        let response: ListTablesResponse = rsp.json().await.err_to_http(request_id)?;
+
+        // Cache the tables for future use
+        let namespace_vec = namespace_parts.to_vec();
+        for table in &response.tables {
+            let table_identifier =
+                build_table_identifier(table, &namespace_vec, &self.client.id_delimiter);
+            let cache_key = build_cache_key(table, &namespace_vec);
+            let remote_table = Arc::new(RemoteTable::new(
+                self.client.clone(),
+                table.clone(),
+                namespace_vec.clone(),
+                table_identifier.clone(),
+                version.clone(),
+            ));
+            self.table_cache.insert(cache_key, remote_table).await;
+        }
+
+        Ok(response)
+    }
+
     async fn create_table(&self, request: CreateTableRequest) -> Result<Arc<dyn BaseTable>> {
         let data = match request.data {
             CreateTableData::Data(data) => data,
@@ -591,53 +627,101 @@ impl<S: HttpSend> Database for RemoteDatabase<S> {
         })
     }
 
-    async fn list_namespaces(&self, request: ListNamespacesRequest) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
-        let namespace_id =
-            build_namespace_identifier(request.namespace.as_slice(), &self.client.id_delimiter);
+    async fn list_namespaces(
+        &self,
+        request: ListNamespacesRequest,
+    ) -> Result<ListNamespacesResponse> {
+        let namespace_parts = request.id.as_deref().unwrap_or(&[]);
+        let namespace_id = build_namespace_identifier(namespace_parts, &self.client.id_delimiter);
         let mut req = self
             .client
             .get(&format!("/v1/namespace/{}/list", namespace_id));
         if let Some(limit) = request.limit {
             req = req.query(&[("limit", limit)]);
         }
-        if let Some(page_token) = request.page_token {
+        if let Some(ref page_token) = request.page_token {
             req = req.query(&[("page_token", page_token)]);
         }
 
         let (request_id, resp) = self.client.send(req).await?;
         let resp = self.client.check_response(&request_id, resp).await?;
 
-        #[derive(Deserialize)]
-        struct ListNamespacesResponse {
-            namespaces: Vec<String>,
+        resp.json().await.err_to_http(request_id)
     }
 
-        let parsed: ListNamespacesResponse = resp.json().await.map_err(|e| Error::Runtime {
-            message: format!("Failed to parse namespace response: {}", e),
-        })?;
-        Ok(parsed.namespaces)
-    }
-
-    async fn create_namespace(&self, request: CreateNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
-        let namespace_id =
-            build_namespace_identifier(request.namespace.as_slice(), &self.client.id_delimiter);
-        let req = self
+    async fn create_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: CreateNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<CreateNamespaceResponse> {
+        let namespace_parts = request.id.as_deref().unwrap_or(&[]);
+        let namespace_id = build_namespace_identifier(namespace_parts, &self.client.id_delimiter);
+        let mut req = self
             .client
             .post(&format!("/v1/namespace/{}/create", namespace_id));
-        let (request_id, resp) = self.client.send(req).await?;
-        self.client.check_response(&request_id, resp).await?;
-        Ok(())
+
+        // Build request body with mode and properties if present
+        #[derive(serde::Serialize)]
+        struct CreateNamespaceRequestBody {
+            #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+            mode: Option<String>,
+            #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+            properties: Option<HashMap<String, String>>,
         }
 
-    async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<()> {
-        let namespace_id =
-            build_namespace_identifier(request.namespace.as_slice(), &self.client.id_delimiter);
-        let req = self
+        let body = CreateNamespaceRequestBody {
+            mode: request.mode.as_ref().map(|m| format!("{:?}", m)),
+            properties: request.properties,
+        };
+
+        req = req.json(&body);
+        let (request_id, resp) = self.client.send(req).await?;
+        let resp = self.client.check_response(&request_id, resp).await?;
+
+        resp.json().await.err_to_http(request_id)
+    }
+
+    async fn drop_namespace(&self, request: DropNamespaceRequest) -> Result<DropNamespaceResponse> {
+        let namespace_parts = request.id.as_deref().unwrap_or(&[]);
+        let namespace_id = build_namespace_identifier(namespace_parts, &self.client.id_delimiter);
+        let mut req = self
             .client
             .post(&format!("/v1/namespace/{}/drop", namespace_id));
+
+        // Build request body with mode and behavior if present
+        #[derive(serde::Serialize)]
+        struct DropNamespaceRequestBody {
+            #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+            mode: Option<String>,
+            #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+            behavior: Option<String>,
+        }
+
+        let body = DropNamespaceRequestBody {
+            mode: request.mode.as_ref().map(|m| format!("{:?}", m)),
+            behavior: request.behavior.as_ref().map(|b| format!("{:?}", b)),
+        };
+
+        req = req.json(&body);
         let (request_id, resp) = self.client.send(req).await?;
-        self.client.check_response(&request_id, resp).await?;
-        Ok(())
+        let resp = self.client.check_response(&request_id, resp).await?;
+
+        resp.json().await.err_to_http(request_id)
+    }
+
+    async fn describe_namespace(
+        &self,
+        request: DescribeNamespaceRequest,
+    ) -> Result<DescribeNamespaceResponse> {
+        let namespace_parts = request.id.as_deref().unwrap_or(&[]);
+        let namespace_id = build_namespace_identifier(namespace_parts, &self.client.id_delimiter);
+        let req = self
+            .client
+            .get(&format!("/v1/namespace/{}/describe", namespace_id));
+
+        let (request_id, resp) = self.client.send(req).await?;
+        let resp = self.client.check_response(&request_id, resp).await?;
+
+        resp.json().await.err_to_http(request_id)
     }
 
     fn as_any(&self) -> &dyn std::any::Any {