Database systems and methods for client-side initiation of server-side actions

Database systems and methods are provided for initiating an action at a database system by an instance of a native application at a client device coupled to the database system over a network. One method involves downloading, to a data storage element at the client device, metadata indicative of update criteria for a configuration associated with the instance of the native application from the database system over the network, monitoring, by a service associated with the native application at the client device, a context associated with the client device with respect to the update criteria, and when the context associated with the client device satisfies the update criteria, automatically providing, by the service to the database system over the network, an indication that the update criteria is satisfied to automatically initiate the action at the database system in accordance with the configuration associated with the native application.