A compute server of a distributed cloud computing network receives an indication of a hostname in a Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshake message from a client device. The compute server determines that an on-demand code piece is configured to execute on the compute server responsive to receiving an HTTP request for the hostname. Prior to receiving the request for the hostname, the compute server preloads the on-demand code piece for execution. The compute server receives an HTTP request from the client device that triggers execution of the preloaded on-demand code piece. The compute server executed the preloaded on-demand code piece and generates a response to the HTTP request based in part on the executed code piece. The compute server transmits the response to the client device.