Skip serialize the metadata socket

src/node_graph/socket.py

@@ -728,9 +728,12 @@ def _set_socket_value(self, value: Any, *, value_source: str = "link") -> None:
             )
 
     def _serialize_value(self, store: bool = False) -> Any:
+        """Serialize the socket value unless it's metadata (stored as raw)."""
         value = _unwrap_tagged_value(self._value)
         if value is None:
             return None
+        if self._metadata.is_metadata:
+            return value
         graph = getattr(self, "_graph", None)
         if graph is None and getattr(self, "_task", None) is not None:
             graph = getattr(self._task, "graph", None)
@@ -1070,7 +1073,6 @@ def _collect_values(
             else:
                 value = item.value if resolve else item._value
                 if serialize:
-                    print("socket: ", item)
                     value = item._serialize_value(store=False)
                 if value is not None:
                     if unwrap and isinstance(value, TaggedValue):

tests/test_serializer.py

@@ -36,3 +36,27 @@ def _serialize_value(self, store: bool = False):
     data = task.to_dict(should_serialize=True)
     assert data["inputs"]["x"] == {"custom": 5}
     assert data["inputs"]["y"] == 7
+
+
+def test_metadata_socket_skips_serialization():
+    """Metadata sockets should bypass serialization."""
+    from typing import Annotated
+
+    from node_graph import Graph, task
+    from node_graph.socket_spec import meta
+
+    class DummySerializer:
+        def serialize(self, value, socket, *, store: bool):
+            return {"serialized": value}
+
+    @task()
+    def add(x: int, info: Annotated[int, meta(is_metadata=True)]):
+        return x
+
+    ng = Graph(name="test_metadata_socket", serialization=DummySerializer())
+    node = ng.add_task(add, name="add1")
+    node.set_inputs({"x": 2, "info": 9})
+
+    data = node.to_dict(should_serialize=True)
+    assert data["inputs"]["x"] == {"serialized": 2}
+    assert data["inputs"]["info"] == 9