feat: escalate overdue approval tasks via processDue

Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>

README.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 |---|---|
 | `ordo-api` | 公共模型与 `OrdoEngine` 端口 |
 | `ordo-core` | 运行时（`DefaultOrdoEngine` / `InMemoryOrdoEngine`） |
-| `ordo-storage-jdbc` | JDBC 存储 + Flyway 迁移（V1–V5） |
+| `ordo-storage-jdbc` | JDBC 存储 + Flyway 迁移（V1–V6） |
 | `ordo-spring-boot-starter` | Spring Boot 自动装配（JDBC + Flyway） |
 | `ordo-example` | 内存引擎示例 |
 
@@ -23,11 +23,12 @@
 - ACTION 步骤：事务提交后调用宿主 `ActionHandler`
 - 发起人撤回：`WITHDRAWN`，待办任务 `SKIPPED`
 - 任务转派：当前办理人 `reassign`，审计 `TASK_REASSIGNED`
+- 到期升级：步骤 `due` + `processDue`，审计 `TASK_ESCALATED`
 - 分页查询：任务 / 实例 / 流程定义
 - 审计时间线：`ProcessEvent` + `queryHistory`
 - 扩展点：`AssigneeResolver`、`RoutingCondition`、`ActionHandler`、`OrdoEventListener`
 
-开发计划：到期升级、`CANCELLED`、定义不可变多版本、MySQL 方言、可选 REST + 目录 SPI。设计器为独立产品（不进本仓库），待 REST、目录与多版本定义之后。多租户 **暂不在计划中**。见 [docs/roadmap.md](docs/roadmap.md)。
+开发计划：`CANCELLED`、定义不可变多版本、MySQL 方言、可选 REST + 目录 SPI。设计器为独立产品（不进本仓库），待 REST、目录与多版本定义之后。多租户 **暂不在计划中**。见 [docs/roadmap.md](docs/roadmap.md)。
 
 详细用法（定义 JSON、扩展点、异常、查询、ACTION/审计语义）见 **[docs/usage.md](docs/usage.md)**。对外行为变更时同步更新该文档。
 

docs/roadmap.md

@@ -7,22 +7,19 @@
 ## 已完成
 
 - ANY/ALL 会签/或签
-- JDBC 存储（PostgreSQL）+ Flyway V1–V5
+- JDBC 存储（PostgreSQL）+ Flyway V1–V6
 - 条件路由 `StepTransition` + `RoutingCondition`
 - ACTION + `ActionHandler`；执行记录持久化
 - 发起人撤回 `WITHDRAWN`
 - 分页查询：任务 / 实例 / 定义
 - 审计 `ProcessEvent` / `queryHistory`；`OrdoEventListener`
 - 任务转派 `reassign` / `TASK_REASSIGNED`
+- 到期升级 `processDue` / `TASK_ESCALATED`
 
 ## 开发计划（确定要做）
 
 下列能力已纳入计划，尚未实现。实现顺序可按依赖调整，但范围本身不从计划中拿掉。
 
-### 到期升级
-
-目前无到期时间与定时器。计划支持 SLA/超时：到期后升级（改办理人、通知或进入指定步骤），即「到期升级」。
-
 ### CANCELLED
 
 目前终态只有 `APPROVED` / `REJECTED` / `WITHDRAWN`（撤回仅发起人）。计划增加管理员/系统取消语义 `CANCELLED`，与撤回区分。

docs/usage.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ Ordo 是嵌入宿主进程的审批引擎，入口是 `OrdoEngine`。
 
 产品边界：不做业务表单、用户体系、多租户；不内置设计器 UI。业务字段放在 `ProcessContext`（不可变 `Map<String, Object>`）。当前也**没有** REST；HTTP 仍由宿主自建。计划中的可选 REST 与独立设计器见 [roadmap.md](roadmap.md)。
 
-开发计划（尚未提供，见 [roadmap.md](roadmap.md)）：到期升级、`CANCELLED`、定义不可变多版本、MySQL 方言、可选 REST + 目录 SPI。
+开发计划（尚未提供，见 [roadmap.md](roadmap.md)）：`CANCELLED`、定义不可变多版本、MySQL 方言、可选 REST + 目录 SPI。
 
 ## 2. 模块与接入
 
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ ordo:
   enabled: true
   definitions:
     location: classpath*:ordo/*.json   # 启动时对每个 JSON 调用 replace
+  due:
+    poll-ms: 0   # >0 时轮询 processDue；默认不调度
 ```
 
 启动加载使用 `replace`：无 `RUNNING` 实例则整图替换；有运行中实例则保留库里的定义。
@@ -169,6 +171,7 @@ new ProcessDefinition("leave-request-routed", "Leave request",
 | `kind` | `APPROVAL`（默认）或 `ACTION`。 |
 | `candidates` / `policy` | 仅审批步。`policy` 默认 `ANY`。审批步至少一名候选人，禁止重复。 |
 | `action` | 仅 ACTION 步，对应 `ActionHandler.execute` 的 key。审批步禁止带 `action`。 |
+| `due` | 仅审批步。可选。`after` 为 ISO-8601 时长；`then` 为 `reassign` / `notify` / `goto`。进入该步时任务 `dueAt = now + after`。 |
 | `from` / `to` / `when` / `priority` | `to` 为 `null` 或 JSON `null` 表示结束。`when` 空则无条件。`priority` 默认 0，**越小越先匹配**。 |
 
 ## 4. 实例与任务
@@ -201,7 +204,8 @@ ordo.withdraw(instance.id(), "alice", "计划有变");
 ### 4.2 权限
 
 - `approve` / `reject` / `reassign`：`actor` 必须等于该任务当前 `assignee`，否则 `UnauthorizedTaskOperationException`。
-- `reassign`：仅 `PENDING` 任务；同一任务 id，办理人改为 `newAssignee`，不推进步骤。`newAssignee` 不可空白、不可等于当前 `assignee`，且同一步不能已有该人的 `PENDING` 任务，否则 `IllegalArgumentException`。不经过 `AssigneeResolver`。
+- `reassign`：仅 `PENDING` 任务；同一任务 id，办理人改为 `newAssignee`，不推进步骤。`newAssignee` 不可空白、不可等于当前 `assignee`，且同一步不能已有该人的 `PENDING` 任务，否则 `IllegalArgumentException`。不经过 `AssigneeResolver`。人工转派不改 `dueAt`。
+- `processDue(limit)`：认领 `dueAt <= now` 的 PENDING 任务（`limit > 0`），按步上 `due.then` 执行：`reassign` 换办理人（`to` 走 `AssigneeResolver`）、`notify` 可选 `ActionHandler`、`goto` 跳过当前步 PENDING 并进入 `to` 步骤（`to` 必须是步骤 id）。每种策略对一张任务最多成功一次（清空 `dueAt`）。引擎无后台线程；Spring 下 `ordo.due.poll-ms > 0` 才轮询。
 - 任务非 `PENDING`：`TaskAlreadyCompletedException`。
 - `withdraw`：仅 `initiator`，否则 `UnauthorizedInstanceOperationException`；实例非 `RUNNING`：`InstanceAlreadyCompletedException`。
 
@@ -275,10 +279,10 @@ public class MailActions implements ActionHandler {
 `ProcessEventType`：
 
 - `INSTANCE_STARTED` / `INSTANCE_APPROVED` / `INSTANCE_REJECTED` / `INSTANCE_WITHDRAWN`
-- `TASK_CREATED` / `TASK_APPROVED` / `TASK_REJECTED` / `TASK_SKIPPED` / `TASK_REASSIGNED`
+- `TASK_CREATED` / `TASK_APPROVED` / `TASK_REJECTED` / `TASK_SKIPPED` / `TASK_REASSIGNED` / `TASK_ESCALATED`
 - `ACTION_SUCCEEDED` / `ACTION_FAILED`
 
-字段：`id`、`instanceId`、可选 `taskId`/`stepId`/`actor`/`detail`、`occurredAt`。系统完成类事件 `actor` 可为空。`TASK_REASSIGNED` 的 `actor` 为转出人，`detail` 为转入人。
+字段：`id`、`instanceId`、可选 `taskId`/`stepId`/`actor`/`detail`、`occurredAt`。系统完成类事件 `actor` 可为空。`TASK_REASSIGNED` 的 `actor` 为转出人，`detail` 为转入人。`TASK_ESCALATED` 的 `actor` 为空，`detail` 为新办理人 / notify 的 action key / goto 目标步 id。
 
 `OrdoEventListener.onEvent(ProcessEvent)` 在**事务提交之后**按事件顺序调用（含本轮 ACTION 结果）。单个 listener 抛错只打日志，不影响流程和其他 listener。
 
@@ -312,6 +316,7 @@ ACTION 成功事件发生在提交之后，因此排在同轮事务内写入的
 | `start` | 发起；可选 `ProcessContext` |
 | `approve` / `reject` | 办理当前 PENDING 任务 |
 | `reassign` | 当前办理人把 PENDING 任务转给他人 |
+| `processDue` | 认领并处理已到期 PENDING 任务 |
 | `withdraw` | 发起人撤回 |
 | `find*` | 按 id / 待办索引读取 |
 | `queryTasks` / `queryInstances` / `queryDefinitions` | 分页列表 |
@@ -338,12 +343,12 @@ ACTION 成功事件发生在提交之后，因此排在同轮事务内写入的
 
 ## 12. 存储
 
-Flyway 脚本在 `ordo-storage-jdbc` 的 `db/migration`（V1–V5）。表包括定义/步骤/候选人/转移、实例、任务、`ordo_process_event`、`ordo_action_execution`。
+Flyway 脚本在 `ordo-storage-jdbc` 的 `db/migration`（V1–V6）。表包括定义/步骤/候选人/转移、实例、任务、`ordo_process_event`、`ordo_action_execution`。
 
 多 JVM 共享同一库时，多步写入走 `TransactionExecutor`，完成任务/实例用条件更新（仍 PENDING / 仍 RUNNING 才改），避免双花。
 
 ## 13. 未提供能力
 
-开发计划中（见 [roadmap.md](roadmap.md)）：到期升级、`CANCELLED`、定义不可变多版本、MySQL 方言、可选 REST + 目录 SPI。独立设计器不进本仓库，等 REST、目录与多版本定义之后再做。
+开发计划中（见 [roadmap.md](roadmap.md)）：`CANCELLED`、定义不可变多版本、MySQL 方言、可选 REST + 目录 SPI。独立设计器不进本仓库，等 REST、目录与多版本定义之后再做。
 
 暂不在计划中：多租户、设计器 UI。当前 REST 由宿主自建。

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ApprovalStep.java

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import java.util.Set;
  * action steps have an {@code actionKey} invoked by the host {@link ActionHandler}.
  */
 public record ApprovalStep(String id, String name, List<String> candidates, ApprovalPolicy policy, StepKind kind,
-                           String actionKey) {
+                           String actionKey, StepDue due) {
     public ApprovalStep {
         requireText(id, "step id");
         requireText(name, "step name");
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ public record ApprovalStep(String id, String name, List<String> candidates, Appr
             }
             requireText(actionKey, "action key");
             actionKey = actionKey.strip();
+            if (due != null) {
+                throw new IllegalArgumentException("an action step must not have due");
+            }
         } else {
             if (actionKey != null && !actionKey.isBlank()) {
                 throw new IllegalArgumentException("an approval step must not have an action key");
@@ -43,7 +46,12 @@ public record ApprovalStep(String id, String name, List<String> candidates, Appr
     }
 
     public ApprovalStep(String id, String name, List<String> candidates, ApprovalPolicy policy) {
-        this(id, name, candidates, policy, StepKind.APPROVAL, null);
+        this(id, name, candidates, policy, StepKind.APPROVAL, null, null);
+    }
+
+    public ApprovalStep(String id, String name, List<String> candidates, ApprovalPolicy policy, StepKind kind,
+                        String actionKey) {
+        this(id, name, candidates, policy, kind, actionKey, null);
     }
 
     /** Convenience factory for the common case of a single, fixed approver. */

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ApprovalTask.java

@@ -3,5 +3,6 @@ package com.jetlumen.ordo.api;
 import java.time.Instant;
 
 public record ApprovalTask(String id, String instanceId, String stepId, String name, String assignee,
-                           TaskStatus status, Instant createdAt, Instant completedAt, TaskAction action) {
+                           TaskStatus status, Instant createdAt, Instant completedAt, TaskAction action,
+                           Instant dueAt) {
 }

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/DueThen.java

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+package com.jetlumen.ordo.api;
+
+/** What happens when an approval step's due time is reached. */
+public enum DueThen {
+    REASSIGN,
+    NOTIFY,
+    GOTO
+}

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/OrdoEngine.java

@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ public interface OrdoEngine {
     }
     ApprovalTask reject(String taskId, String actor, String comment);
     ApprovalTask reassign(String taskId, String actor, String newAssignee);
+
+    /** Claims and processes up to {@code limit} overdue pending tasks. {@code limit} must be positive. */
+    int processDue(int limit);
+
     default ProcessInstance withdraw(String instanceId, String actor) {
         return withdraw(instanceId, actor, null);
     }

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ProcessDefinition.java

@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ public record ProcessDefinition(String id, String name, List<ApprovalStep> steps
             if (!stepsWithOutgoing.contains(step.id())) {
                 throw new IllegalArgumentException("step " + step.id() + " has no outgoing transition");
             }
+            if (step.due() != null && step.due().then() == DueThen.GOTO && !ids.contains(step.due().to())) {
+                throw new IllegalArgumentException("unknown due toStepId: " + step.due().to());
+            }
         }
         transitions = transitions.stream()
                 .sorted(Comparator.comparing(StepTransition::fromStepId).thenComparingInt(StepTransition::priority))

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ProcessDefinitionParser.java

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.ObjectMapper;
 
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.io.InputStream;
+import java.time.DateTimeException;
+import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
@@ -47,7 +49,8 @@ public final class ProcessDefinitionParser {
             ApprovalPolicy policy = step.policy() == null ? ApprovalPolicy.ANY : step.policy();
             StepKind kind = step.kind() == null ? StepKind.APPROVAL : step.kind();
             List<String> candidates = step.candidates() == null ? List.of() : step.candidates();
-            steps.add(new ApprovalStep(step.id(), step.name(), candidates, policy, kind, step.action()));
+            steps.add(new ApprovalStep(step.id(), step.name(), candidates, policy, kind, step.action(),
+                    parseDue(step.due())));
         }
         rotateStartStep(steps, document.startStep());
         List<StepTransition> transitions = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -84,6 +87,28 @@ public final class ProcessDefinitionParser {
         steps.add(0, start);
     }
 
+    private static StepDue parseDue(DueDocument due) {
+        if (due == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        if (due.after() == null || due.after().isBlank() || due.then() == null || due.then().isBlank()) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("due after and then must not be blank");
+        }
+        Duration after;
+        try {
+            after = Duration.parse(due.after().strip());
+        } catch (DateTimeException e) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("invalid due after: " + due.after(), e);
+        }
+        DueThen then;
+        try {
+            then = DueThen.valueOf(due.then().strip().toUpperCase());
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("invalid due then: " + due.then(), e);
+        }
+        return new StepDue(after, then, due.to(), due.action());
+    }
+
     private record DefinitionDocument(
             String id,
             String name,
@@ -98,7 +123,15 @@ public final class ProcessDefinitionParser {
             List<String> candidates,
             ApprovalPolicy policy,
             StepKind kind,
-            @JsonProperty("action") String action) {
+            @JsonProperty("action") String action,
+            DueDocument due) {
+    }
+
+    private record DueDocument(
+            String after,
+            String then,
+            String to,
+            String action) {
     }
 
     private record TransitionDocument(

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ProcessEventType.java

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ public enum ProcessEventType {
     TASK_REJECTED,
     TASK_SKIPPED,
     TASK_REASSIGNED,
+    TASK_ESCALATED,
     INSTANCE_APPROVED,
     INSTANCE_REJECTED,
     INSTANCE_WITHDRAWN,

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/StepDue.java

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+package com.jetlumen.ordo.api;
+
+import java.time.Duration;
+import java.util.Objects;
+
+/** Relative SLA on an approval step. */
+public record StepDue(Duration after, DueThen then, String to, String action) {
+    public StepDue {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(after, "after must not be null");
+        if (after.isZero() || after.isNegative()) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("due after must be positive");
+        }
+        Objects.requireNonNull(then, "due then must not be null");
+        to = blankToNull(to);
+        action = blankToNull(action);
+        switch (then) {
+            case REASSIGN -> {
+                if (to == null) {
+                    throw new IllegalArgumentException("reassign due must have to");
+                }
+                if (action != null) {
+                    throw new IllegalArgumentException("reassign due must not have action");
+                }
+            }
+            case NOTIFY -> {
+                if (to != null) {
+                    throw new IllegalArgumentException("notify due must not have to");
+                }
+            }
+            case GOTO -> {
+                if (to == null) {
+                    throw new IllegalArgumentException("goto due must have to");
+                }
+                if (action != null) {
+                    throw new IllegalArgumentException("goto due must not have action");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static StepDue reassign(Duration after, String to) {
+        return new StepDue(after, DueThen.REASSIGN, to, null);
+    }
+
+    public static StepDue notify(Duration after, String action) {
+        return new StepDue(after, DueThen.NOTIFY, null, action);
+    }
+
+    public static StepDue gotoStep(Duration after, String stepId) {
+        return new StepDue(after, DueThen.GOTO, stepId, null);
+    }
+
+    private static String blankToNull(String value) {
+        return value == null || value.isBlank() ? null : value.strip();
+    }
+}

ordo-api/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/repository/ApprovalTaskRepository.java

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.query.Page;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.query.PageRequest;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.query.TaskQuery;
 
+import java.time.Instant;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
@@ -40,6 +41,10 @@ public interface ApprovalTaskRepository {
      */
     boolean reassignIfPending(String taskId, String expectedAssignee, String newAssignee);
 
+    List<ApprovalTask> findDuePending(Instant now, int limit);
+
+    boolean claimIfDue(String taskId, String expectedAssignee, Instant now);
+
     /** Paginated, filterable query; results are ordered newest-first (created_at desc). */
     Page<ApprovalTask> query(TaskQuery query, PageRequest pageRequest);
 }

ordo-api/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ProcessDefinitionParserTest.java

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.jetlumen.ordo.api;
 
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
+import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.List;
 
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
@@ -174,4 +175,55 @@ class ProcessDefinitionParserTest {
         assertEquals(StepKind.APPROVAL, definition.steps().get(0).kind());
         assertEquals(ApprovalStep.action("notify", "Notify HR", "leave-approved-mail"), definition.steps().get(1));
     }
+
+    @Test
+    void parsesDueOnApprovalSteps() {
+        String json = """
+                {
+                  "id": "leave",
+                  "name": "Leave request",
+                  "steps": [
+                    {
+                      "id": "manager",
+                      "name": "Manager approval",
+                      "candidates": ["maria"],
+                      "due": { "after": "PT48H", "then": "reassign", "to": "director" }
+                    }
+                  ],
+                  "transitions": [
+                    { "from": "manager", "to": null }
+                  ]
+                }
+                """;
+        ProcessDefinition definition = ProcessDefinitionParser.fromJson(json);
+        assertEquals(StepDue.reassign(java.time.Duration.parse("PT48H"), "director"), definition.steps().get(0).due());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void rejectsActionStepDueAndInvalidDueThen() {
+        String actionDue = """
+                {
+                  "id": "leave",
+                  "name": "Leave request",
+                  "steps": [
+                    { "id": "mail", "name": "Mail", "kind": "ACTION", "action": "go",
+                      "due": { "after": "PT1H", "then": "notify" } }
+                  ],
+                  "transitions": [ { "from": "mail", "to": null } ]
+                }
+                """;
+        assertThrows(IllegalArgumentException.class, () -> ProcessDefinitionParser.fromJson(actionDue));
+        String badThen = """
+                {
+                  "id": "leave",
+                  "name": "Leave request",
+                  "steps": [
+                    { "id": "manager", "name": "Manager", "candidates": ["maria"],
+                      "due": { "after": "PT1H", "then": "explode" } }
+                  ],
+                  "transitions": [ { "from": "manager", "to": null } ]
+                }
+                """;
+        assertThrows(IllegalArgumentException.class, () -> ProcessDefinitionParser.fromJson(badThen));
+    }
 }

ordo-api/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/api/ProcessDefinitionTest.java

@@ -118,4 +118,19 @@ class ProcessDefinitionTest {
         assertEquals(StepKind.ACTION, definition.steps().get(0).kind());
         assertEquals("leave-approved-mail", definition.steps().get(0).actionKey());
     }
+
+    @Test
+    void rejectsActionStepsWithDue() {
+        assertThrows(IllegalArgumentException.class,
+                () -> new ApprovalStep("mail", "Mail", List.of(), ApprovalPolicy.ANY, StepKind.ACTION, "notify",
+                        StepDue.notify(java.time.Duration.ofHours(1), "overdue")));
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void rejectsGotoDueToAnUnknownStep() {
+        assertThrows(IllegalArgumentException.class, () -> new ProcessDefinition("leave", "Leave request", List.of(
+                new ApprovalStep("manager", "Manager approval", List.of("maria"), ApprovalPolicy.ANY, StepKind.APPROVAL,
+                        null, StepDue.gotoStep(java.time.Duration.ofHours(1), "missing"))),
+                List.of(StepTransition.end("manager"))));
+    }
 }

ordo-core/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/core/DefaultOrdoEngine.java

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessEventType;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessInstance;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessStatus;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.RoutingCondition;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepDue;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepKind;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepTransition;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.TaskAction;
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ public final class DefaultOrdoEngine implements OrdoEngine {
             }
             Instant now = clock.instant();
             ApprovalTask updated = new ApprovalTask(task.id(), task.instanceId(), task.stepId(), task.name(),
-                    newAssignee, task.status(), task.createdAt(), task.completedAt(), task.action());
+                    newAssignee, task.status(), task.createdAt(), task.completedAt(), task.action(), task.dueAt());
             record(events, task.instanceId(), task.id(), task.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_REASSIGNED, actor,
                     newAssignee, now);
             return updated;
@@ -228,7 +229,8 @@ public final class DefaultOrdoEngine implements OrdoEngine {
             TaskAction action = new TaskAction(actor, comment, now);
             for (ApprovalTask pending : taskRepository.findPendingByInstanceId(instanceId)) {
                 ApprovalTask skipped = new ApprovalTask(pending.id(), pending.instanceId(), pending.stepId(),
-                        pending.name(), pending.assignee(), TaskStatus.SKIPPED, pending.createdAt(), now, action);
+                        pending.name(), pending.assignee(), TaskStatus.SKIPPED, pending.createdAt(), now, action,
+                        pending.dueAt());
                 if (taskRepository.completeIfPending(skipped)) {
                     record(events, instanceId, pending.id(), pending.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_SKIPPED, actor,
                             comment, now);
@@ -301,12 +303,106 @@ public final class DefaultOrdoEngine implements OrdoEngine {
         return actionExecutionRepository.query(instanceId, pageRequest);
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public synchronized int processDue(int limit) {
+        if (limit <= 0) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("limit must be positive");
+        }
+        List<PendingAction> queued = new ArrayList<>();
+        List<ProcessEvent> events = new ArrayList<>();
+        Integer processed = transactionExecutor.execute(() -> {
+            Instant now = clock.instant();
+            int count = 0;
+            for (ApprovalTask overdue : taskRepository.findDuePending(now, limit)) {
+                if (escalateDueTask(overdue, now, queued, events)) {
+                    count++;
+                }
+            }
+            return count;
+        });
+        finishCommittedWork(queued, events);
+        return processed;
+    }
+
+    private boolean escalateDueTask(ApprovalTask overdue, Instant now, List<PendingAction> queued,
+                                    List<ProcessEvent> events) {
+        if (!taskRepository.claimIfDue(overdue.id(), overdue.assignee(), now)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        ProcessInstance instance = requireInstance(overdue.instanceId());
+        if (instance.status() != ProcessStatus.RUNNING) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        ProcessDefinition definition = requireDefinition(instance.definitionId());
+        ApprovalStep step = requireStep(definition, overdue.stepId());
+        StepDue due = step.due();
+        if (due == null) {
+            record(events, overdue.instanceId(), overdue.id(), overdue.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED, null,
+                    null, now);
+            return true;
+        }
+        return switch (due.then()) {
+            case REASSIGN -> escalateReassign(overdue, instance, step, due, now, events);
+            case NOTIFY -> escalateNotify(overdue, instance, due, now, queued, events);
+            case GOTO -> escalateGoto(overdue, instance, definition, due, now, queued, events);
+        };
+    }
+
+    private boolean escalateReassign(ApprovalTask overdue, ProcessInstance instance, ApprovalStep step, StepDue due,
+                                     Instant now, List<ProcessEvent> events) {
+        String newAssignee = assigneeResolver.resolve(due.to(), step, instance.context());
+        requireText(newAssignee, "resolved assignee");
+        boolean duplicatePending = taskRepository.findByInstanceIdAndStepId(overdue.instanceId(), overdue.stepId())
+                .stream()
+                .anyMatch(other -> !other.id().equals(overdue.id())
+                        && other.status() == TaskStatus.PENDING
+                        && other.assignee().equals(newAssignee));
+        if (duplicatePending || overdue.assignee().equals(newAssignee)) {
+            LOG.log(Level.WARNING, "due reassign skipped for task: " + overdue.id());
+            record(events, overdue.instanceId(), overdue.id(), overdue.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED, null,
+                    newAssignee, now);
+            return true;
+        }
+        if (!taskRepository.reassignIfPending(overdue.id(), overdue.assignee(), newAssignee)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        record(events, overdue.instanceId(), overdue.id(), overdue.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED, null,
+                newAssignee, now);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private boolean escalateNotify(ApprovalTask overdue, ProcessInstance instance, StepDue due, Instant now,
+                                   List<PendingAction> queued, List<ProcessEvent> events) {
+        if (due.action() != null) {
+            String executionId = nextId();
+            actionExecutionRepository.insert(new ActionExecution(executionId, instance.id(), overdue.stepId(),
+                    due.action(), ActionExecutionStatus.PENDING, null,
+                    now.plusMillis(eventSequence.getAndIncrement()), null));
+            queued.add(new PendingAction(executionId, due.action(), instance.id(), overdue.stepId(),
+                    instance.context()));
+        }
+        record(events, overdue.instanceId(), overdue.id(), overdue.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED, null,
+                due.action(), now);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private boolean escalateGoto(ApprovalTask overdue, ProcessInstance instance, ProcessDefinition definition,
+                                 StepDue due, Instant now, List<PendingAction> queued, List<ProcessEvent> events) {
+        List<ApprovalTask> siblings = taskRepository.findByInstanceIdAndStepId(instance.id(), overdue.stepId());
+        skipPendingSiblings(siblings, "", null, now, events);
+        enterStep(instance, definition, requireStep(definition, due.to()), now, queued, events);
+        record(events, overdue.instanceId(), overdue.id(), overdue.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED, null,
+                due.to(), now);
+        return true;
+    }
+
     private void createStepTasks(ProcessInstance instance, ApprovalStep step, Instant now, List<ProcessEvent> events) {
         for (String candidate : step.candidates()) {
             String assignee = assigneeResolver.resolve(candidate, step, instance.context());
             requireText(assignee, "resolved assignee");
+            Instant dueAt = step.due() == null ? null : now.plus(step.due().after());
             ApprovalTask task = new ApprovalTask(nextId(), instance.id(), step.id(), step.name(), assignee,
-                    TaskStatus.PENDING, now, null, null);
+                    TaskStatus.PENDING, now, null, null, dueAt);
             taskRepository.save(task);
             record(events, instance.id(), task.id(), step.id(), ProcessEventType.TASK_CREATED, assignee, null, now);
         }
@@ -328,7 +424,7 @@ public final class DefaultOrdoEngine implements OrdoEngine {
     private ApprovalTask completeTask(ApprovalTask task, TaskStatus status, TaskAction action,
                                       List<ProcessEvent> events) {
         ApprovalTask completed = new ApprovalTask(task.id(), task.instanceId(), task.stepId(), task.name(),
-                task.assignee(), status, task.createdAt(), action.operatedAt(), action);
+                task.assignee(), status, task.createdAt(), action.operatedAt(), action, task.dueAt());
         if (!taskRepository.completeIfPending(completed)) {
             throw new TaskAlreadyCompletedException(task.id());
         }
@@ -480,7 +576,8 @@ public final class DefaultOrdoEngine implements OrdoEngine {
                 continue;
             }
             ApprovalTask skipped = new ApprovalTask(sibling.id(), sibling.instanceId(), sibling.stepId(),
-                    sibling.name(), sibling.assignee(), TaskStatus.SKIPPED, sibling.createdAt(), now, null);
+                    sibling.name(), sibling.assignee(), TaskStatus.SKIPPED, sibling.createdAt(), now, null,
+                    sibling.dueAt());
             // Best-effort: if another concurrent decision already completed this sibling, leave it as-is.
             if (taskRepository.completeIfPending(skipped)) {
                 record(events, sibling.instanceId(), sibling.id(), sibling.stepId(), ProcessEventType.TASK_SKIPPED,

ordo-core/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/core/InMemoryOrdoEngine.java

@@ -159,4 +159,9 @@ public final class InMemoryOrdoEngine implements OrdoEngine {
     public Page<ActionExecution> queryActionExecutions(String instanceId, PageRequest pageRequest) {
         return delegate.queryActionExecutions(instanceId, pageRequest);
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public int processDue(int limit) {
+        return delegate.processDue(limit);
+    }
 }

ordo-core/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/core/repository/InMemoryApprovalTaskRepository.java

@@ -9,10 +9,12 @@ import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.query.TaskQuery;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.repository.ApprovalTaskRepository;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.repository.ProcessInstanceRepository;
 
+import java.time.Instant;
 import java.util.Comparator;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
 /** Development-only in-memory implementation of the task storage port. */
@@ -92,7 +94,37 @@ public final class InMemoryApprovalTaskRepository implements ApprovalTaskReposit
             return false;
         }
         tasks.put(taskId, new ApprovalTask(current.id(), current.instanceId(), current.stepId(), current.name(),
-                newAssignee, current.status(), current.createdAt(), current.completedAt(), current.action()));
+                newAssignee, current.status(), current.createdAt(), current.completedAt(), current.action(),
+                current.dueAt()));
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public synchronized List<ApprovalTask> findDuePending(Instant now, int limit) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(now, "now must not be null");
+        if (limit <= 0) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("limit must be positive");
+        }
+        return tasks.values().stream()
+                .filter(task -> task.status() == TaskStatus.PENDING)
+                .filter(task -> task.dueAt() != null && !task.dueAt().isAfter(now))
+                .sorted(Comparator.comparing(ApprovalTask::dueAt).thenComparing(ApprovalTask::id))
+                .limit(limit)
+                .toList();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public synchronized boolean claimIfDue(String taskId, String expectedAssignee, Instant now) {
+        ApprovalTask current = tasks.get(taskId);
+        if (current == null || current.status() != TaskStatus.PENDING
+                || !current.assignee().equals(expectedAssignee)
+                || current.dueAt() == null
+                || current.dueAt().isAfter(now)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        tasks.put(taskId, new ApprovalTask(current.id(), current.instanceId(), current.stepId(), current.name(),
+                current.assignee(), current.status(), current.createdAt(), current.completedAt(), current.action(),
+                null));
         return true;
     }
 

ordo-core/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/core/InMemoryOrdoEngineTest.java

@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessEventType;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessInstance;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessStatus;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.RoutingCondition;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepDue;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepKind;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepTransition;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.TaskStatus;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.exception.DefinitionAlreadyExistsException;
@@ -33,6 +35,9 @@ import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import java.time.Clock;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.ZoneId;
+import java.time.ZoneOffset;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 
@@ -677,4 +682,103 @@ class InMemoryOrdoEngineTest {
         assertTrue(types.contains(ProcessEventType.ACTION_FAILED));
         assertTrue(types.contains(ProcessEventType.INSTANCE_APPROVED));
     }
+
+    @Test
+    void processDueReassignsAfterTheStepDueElapses() {
+        MutableClock clock = new MutableClock(Instant.parse("2026-01-15T09:00:00Z"));
+        InMemoryOrdoEngine dueEngine = new InMemoryOrdoEngine(clock);
+        dueEngine.register(ProcessDefinition.linear("leave-due", "Leave request", List.of(
+                new ApprovalStep("manager", "Manager approval", List.of("maria"), ApprovalPolicy.ANY, StepKind.APPROVAL,
+                        null, StepDue.reassign(java.time.Duration.ofHours(1), "diana")))));
+
+        var instance = dueEngine.start("leave-due", "alice");
+        ApprovalTask task = dueEngine.findPendingTasksByInstanceId(instance.id()).get(0);
+        assertEquals("maria", task.assignee());
+        assertEquals(0, dueEngine.processDue(10));
+
+        clock.set(Instant.parse("2026-01-15T10:00:00Z"));
+        assertEquals(1, dueEngine.processDue(10));
+        ApprovalTask escalated = dueEngine.findTask(task.id()).orElseThrow();
+        assertEquals("diana", escalated.assignee());
+        assertNull(escalated.dueAt());
+        assertEquals(0, dueEngine.processDue(10));
+        dueEngine.approve(task.id(), "diana");
+        assertEquals(ProcessStatus.APPROVED, dueEngine.findInstance(instance.id()).orElseThrow().status());
+        assertTrue(dueEngine.queryHistory(instance.id(), new PageRequest(0, 20)).content().stream()
+                .anyMatch(event -> event.type() == ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED && "diana".equals(event.detail())));
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void processDueNotifiesWithoutChangingAssignee() {
+        MutableClock clock = new MutableClock(Instant.parse("2026-01-15T09:00:00Z"));
+        List<String> actions = new java.util.ArrayList<>();
+        InMemoryOrdoEngine dueEngine = new InMemoryOrdoEngine(clock, AssigneeResolver.direct(),
+                RoutingCondition.always(), (key, context) -> actions.add(key));
+        dueEngine.register(ProcessDefinition.linear("leave-notify", "Leave request", List.of(
+                new ApprovalStep("manager", "Manager approval", List.of("maria"), ApprovalPolicy.ANY, StepKind.APPROVAL,
+                        null, StepDue.notify(java.time.Duration.ofMinutes(30), "overdue-mail")))));
+
+        var instance = dueEngine.start("leave-notify", "alice");
+        clock.set(Instant.parse("2026-01-15T09:30:00Z"));
+        assertEquals(1, dueEngine.processDue(10));
+        assertEquals("maria", dueEngine.findPendingTasksByInstanceId(instance.id()).get(0).assignee());
+        assertEquals(List.of("overdue-mail"), actions);
+        assertEquals(TaskStatus.PENDING, dueEngine.findPendingTasksByInstanceId(instance.id()).get(0).status());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void processDueGotoSkipsTheStepAndEntersTheTarget() {
+        MutableClock clock = new MutableClock(Instant.parse("2026-01-15T09:00:00Z"));
+        InMemoryOrdoEngine dueEngine = new InMemoryOrdoEngine(clock);
+        dueEngine.register(new ProcessDefinition("leave-goto", "Leave request", List.of(
+                new ApprovalStep("manager", "Manager approval", List.of("maria"), ApprovalPolicy.ANY, StepKind.APPROVAL,
+                        null, StepDue.gotoStep(java.time.Duration.ofHours(1), "hr")),
+                ApprovalStep.single("hr", "HR approval", "henry")),
+                List.of(
+                        StepTransition.always("manager", "hr"),
+                        StepTransition.end("hr"))));
+
+        var instance = dueEngine.start("leave-goto", "alice");
+        clock.set(Instant.parse("2026-01-15T10:00:00Z"));
+        assertEquals(1, dueEngine.processDue(10));
+        assertEquals("hr", dueEngine.findPendingTasksByInstanceId(instance.id()).get(0).stepId());
+        assertEquals("henry", dueEngine.findPendingTasksByInstanceId(instance.id()).get(0).assignee());
+        assertEquals(TaskStatus.SKIPPED, dueEngine.findTasks(instance.id()).stream()
+                .filter(task -> task.stepId().equals("manager"))
+                .findFirst()
+                .orElseThrow()
+                .status());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void processDueRejectsNonPositiveLimit() {
+        assertThrows(IllegalArgumentException.class, () -> engine.processDue(0));
+    }
+
+    private static final class MutableClock extends Clock {
+        private Instant instant;
+
+        private MutableClock(Instant instant) {
+            this.instant = instant;
+        }
+
+        void set(Instant instant) {
+            this.instant = instant;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public ZoneId getZone() {
+            return ZoneOffset.UTC;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public Clock withZone(ZoneId zone) {
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public Instant instant() {
+            return instant;
+        }
+    }
 }

ordo-core/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/core/repository/InMemoryApprovalTaskRepositoryTest.java

@@ -87,13 +87,28 @@ class InMemoryApprovalTaskRepositoryTest {
         assertEquals("diana", repository.findById("task-1").orElseThrow().assignee());
 
         ApprovalTask completed = new ApprovalTask(pending.id(), pending.instanceId(), pending.stepId(), pending.name(),
-                "diana", TaskStatus.APPROVED, pending.createdAt(), CREATED_AT.plusSeconds(1), null);
+                "diana", TaskStatus.APPROVED, pending.createdAt(), CREATED_AT.plusSeconds(1), null, null);
         assertTrue(repository.completeIfPending(completed));
         assertFalse(repository.reassignIfPending("task-1", "diana", "henry"));
         assertFalse(repository.reassignIfPending("missing", "maria", "diana"));
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void claimIfDueClearsDueAtOnlyForMatchingPendingTasks() {
+        InMemoryApprovalTaskRepository repository = new InMemoryApprovalTaskRepository();
+        Instant dueAt = CREATED_AT.plusSeconds(60);
+        ApprovalTask pending = new ApprovalTask("task-1", "inst-1", "step", "Step", "maria", TaskStatus.PENDING,
+                CREATED_AT, null, null, dueAt);
+        repository.save(pending);
+
+        assertTrue(repository.findDuePending(dueAt, 10).contains(pending));
+        assertTrue(repository.claimIfDue("task-1", "maria", dueAt));
+        assertEquals(null, repository.findById("task-1").orElseThrow().dueAt());
+        assertTrue(repository.findDuePending(dueAt, 10).isEmpty());
+        assertFalse(repository.claimIfDue("task-1", "maria", dueAt));
+    }
+
     private static ApprovalTask task(String id, String instanceId, String assignee, TaskStatus status, Instant createdAt) {
-        return new ApprovalTask(id, instanceId, "step", "Step", assignee, status, createdAt, null, null);
+        return new ApprovalTask(id, instanceId, "step", "Step", assignee, status, createdAt, null, null, null);
     }
 }

ordo-spring-boot-autoconfigure/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/spring/OrdoDuePoller.java

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+package com.jetlumen.ordo.spring;
+
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.OrdoEngine;
+import org.springframework.context.SmartLifecycle;
+
+import java.lang.System.Logger;
+import java.lang.System.Logger.Level;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.concurrent.Executors;
+import java.util.concurrent.ScheduledExecutorService;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+
+/** Optional poller that calls {@link OrdoEngine#processDue(int)} when {@code ordo.due.poll-ms} is positive. */
+public final class OrdoDuePoller implements SmartLifecycle {
+    private static final Logger LOG = System.getLogger("ordo");
+    private static final int BATCH_SIZE = 100;
+
+    private final OrdoEngine ordoEngine;
+    private final long pollMs;
+    private ScheduledExecutorService executor;
+    private volatile boolean running;
+
+    public OrdoDuePoller(OrdoEngine ordoEngine, long pollMs) {
+        this.ordoEngine = Objects.requireNonNull(ordoEngine, "ordoEngine must not be null");
+        this.pollMs = pollMs;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean isAutoStartup() {
+        return pollMs > 0;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void start() {
+        if (pollMs <= 0 || running) {
+            return;
+        }
+        executor = Executors.newSingleThreadScheduledExecutor(runnable -> {
+            Thread thread = new Thread(runnable, "ordo-due-poll");
+            thread.setDaemon(true);
+            return thread;
+        });
+        executor.scheduleWithFixedDelay(this::tick, pollMs, pollMs, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS);
+        running = true;
+    }
+
+    private void tick() {
+        try {
+            ordoEngine.processDue(BATCH_SIZE);
+        } catch (RuntimeException e) {
+            LOG.log(Level.WARNING, "processDue failed", e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void stop() {
+        running = false;
+        if (executor != null) {
+            executor.shutdownNow();
+            executor = null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean isRunning() {
+        return running;
+    }
+}

ordo-spring-boot-autoconfigure/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/spring/OrdoJdbcAutoConfiguration.java

@@ -146,4 +146,10 @@ public class OrdoJdbcAutoConfiguration {
     public OrdoDefinitionLoader ordoDefinitionLoader(OrdoEngine ordoEngine, OrdoProperties ordoProperties) {
         return new OrdoDefinitionLoader(ordoEngine, ordoProperties.getDefinitions().getLocation());
     }
+
+    @Bean
+    @ConditionalOnMissingBean
+    public OrdoDuePoller ordoDuePoller(OrdoEngine ordoEngine, OrdoProperties ordoProperties) {
+        return new OrdoDuePoller(ordoEngine, ordoProperties.getDue().getPollMs());
+    }
 }

ordo-spring-boot-autoconfigure/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/spring/OrdoProperties.java

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ public class OrdoProperties {
     private boolean enabled = true;
 
     private final Definitions definitions = new Definitions();
+    private final Due due = new Due();
 
     public boolean isEnabled() {
         return enabled;
@@ -23,6 +24,10 @@ public class OrdoProperties {
         return definitions;
     }
 
+    public Due getDue() {
+        return due;
+    }
+
     public static class Definitions {
         private String location = "classpath*:ordo/*.json";
 
@@ -34,4 +39,17 @@ public class OrdoProperties {
             this.location = location;
         }
     }
+
+    public static class Due {
+        /** Poll interval in milliseconds. {@code 0} disables scheduling. */
+        private long pollMs;
+
+        public long getPollMs() {
+            return pollMs;
+        }
+
+        public void setPollMs(long pollMs) {
+            this.pollMs = pollMs;
+        }
+    }
 }

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcApprovalTaskRepository.java

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import java.sql.PreparedStatement;
 import java.sql.ResultSet;
 import java.sql.SQLException;
 import java.sql.Timestamp;
+import java.time.Instant;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
@@ -21,10 +22,10 @@ import java.util.Optional;
 /** JDBC implementation of the task storage port and its pending-task indexes. */
 public final class JdbcApprovalTaskRepository implements ApprovalTaskRepository {
     private static final String TASK_COLUMNS =
-            "id, instance_id, step_id, task_name, assignee, status, created_at, completed_at, action_actor, action_comment, action_at";
+            "id, instance_id, step_id, task_name, assignee, status, created_at, completed_at, action_actor, action_comment, action_at, due_at";
     private static final String INSERT_TASK =
-            "INSERT INTO ordo_approval_task (id, instance_id, step_id, task_name, assignee, status, created_at)"
-                    + " VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)";
+            "INSERT INTO ordo_approval_task (id, instance_id, step_id, task_name, assignee, status, created_at, due_at)"
+                    + " VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)";
     private static final String COMPLETE_IF_PENDING =
             "UPDATE ordo_approval_task SET status = ?, completed_at = ?, action_actor = ?, action_comment = ?, action_at = ?"
                     + " WHERE id = ? AND status = 'PENDING' AND assignee = ?";
@@ -43,9 +44,15 @@ public final class JdbcApprovalTaskRepository implements ApprovalTaskRepository
     private static final String SELECT_PENDING_BY_INSTANCE =
             "SELECT " + TASK_COLUMNS + " FROM ordo_approval_task WHERE status = 'PENDING' AND instance_id = ?"
                     + " ORDER BY created_at, id";
+    private static final String CLAIM_IF_DUE =
+            "UPDATE ordo_approval_task SET due_at = NULL WHERE id = ? AND status = 'PENDING' AND assignee = ?"
+                    + " AND due_at IS NOT NULL AND due_at <= ?";
+    private static final String SELECT_DUE_PENDING =
+            "SELECT " + TASK_COLUMNS + " FROM ordo_approval_task WHERE status = 'PENDING' AND due_at IS NOT NULL"
+                    + " AND due_at <= ? ORDER BY due_at, id LIMIT ?";
     private static final String TASK_COLUMNS_QUALIFIED =
             "t.id, t.instance_id, t.step_id, t.task_name, t.assignee, t.status, t.created_at, t.completed_at,"
-                    + " t.action_actor, t.action_comment, t.action_at";
+                    + " t.action_actor, t.action_comment, t.action_at, t.due_at";
 
     private final JdbcConnectionProvider connectionProvider;
 
@@ -139,6 +146,48 @@ public final class JdbcApprovalTaskRepository implements ApprovalTaskRepository
         }
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public List<ApprovalTask> findDuePending(Instant now, int limit) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(now, "now must not be null");
+        if (limit <= 0) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("limit must be positive");
+        }
+        Connection connection = connectionProvider.getConnection();
+        try (PreparedStatement select = connection.prepareStatement(SELECT_DUE_PENDING)) {
+            select.setTimestamp(1, Timestamp.from(now));
+            select.setInt(2, limit);
+            try (ResultSet resultSet = select.executeQuery()) {
+                List<ApprovalTask> tasks = new ArrayList<>();
+                while (resultSet.next()) {
+                    tasks.add(ApprovalTaskMapper.read(resultSet));
+                }
+                return tasks;
+            }
+        } catch (SQLException e) {
+            throw new JdbcStorageException("failed to query due tasks", e);
+        } finally {
+            connectionProvider.close(connection);
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean claimIfDue(String taskId, String expectedAssignee, Instant now) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(taskId, "taskId must not be null");
+        Objects.requireNonNull(expectedAssignee, "expectedAssignee must not be null");
+        Objects.requireNonNull(now, "now must not be null");
+        Connection connection = connectionProvider.getConnection();
+        try (PreparedStatement update = connection.prepareStatement(CLAIM_IF_DUE)) {
+            update.setString(1, taskId);
+            update.setString(2, expectedAssignee);
+            update.setTimestamp(3, Timestamp.from(now));
+            return update.executeUpdate() == 1;
+        } catch (SQLException e) {
+            throw new JdbcStorageException("failed to claim due task: " + taskId, e);
+        } finally {
+            connectionProvider.close(connection);
+        }
+    }
+
     @Override
     public Page<ApprovalTask> query(TaskQuery query, PageRequest pageRequest) {
         Objects.requireNonNull(query, "query must not be null");

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository.java

@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ public final class JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository implements ProcessDefinitionR
     private static final String INSERT_DEFINITION =
             "INSERT INTO ordo_process_definition (id, name) VALUES (?, ?)";
     private static final String INSERT_STEP =
-            "INSERT INTO ordo_approval_step (definition_id, step_id, step_name, policy, step_order, kind, action_key)"
-                    + " VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)";
+            "INSERT INTO ordo_approval_step (definition_id, step_id, step_name, policy, step_order, kind, action_key,"
+                    + " due_after, due_then, due_to, due_action) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)";
     private static final String INSERT_CANDIDATE =
             "INSERT INTO ordo_step_candidate (definition_id, step_id, candidate, candidate_order) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)";
     private static final String INSERT_TRANSITION =
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ public final class JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository implements ProcessDefinitionR
     private static final String SELECT_DEFINITION =
             "SELECT id, name FROM ordo_process_definition WHERE id = ?";
     private static final String SELECT_STEPS =
-            "SELECT step_id, step_name, policy, kind, action_key FROM ordo_approval_step"
+            "SELECT step_id, step_name, policy, kind, action_key, due_after, due_then, due_to, due_action"
+                    + " FROM ordo_approval_step"
                     + " WHERE definition_id = ? ORDER BY step_order";
     private static final String SELECT_CANDIDATES =
             "SELECT step_id, candidate FROM ordo_step_candidate WHERE definition_id = ? ORDER BY step_id, candidate_order";
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ public final class JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository implements ProcessDefinitionR
         for (StepRow row : stepRows) {
             List<String> candidates = candidatesByStep.getOrDefault(row.stepId(), List.of());
             steps.add(new ApprovalStep(row.stepId(), row.stepName(), candidates, row.policy(), row.kind(),
-                    row.actionKey()));
+                    row.actionKey(), ApprovalStepMapper.toDue(row)));
         }
         List<StepTransition> transitions = new ArrayList<>();
         try (PreparedStatement selectTransitions = connection.prepareStatement(SELECT_TRANSITIONS)) {
@@ -249,6 +250,17 @@ public final class JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository implements ProcessDefinitionR
                 insertStep.setInt(5, stepOrder++);
                 insertStep.setString(6, step.kind().name());
                 insertStep.setString(7, step.actionKey());
+                if (step.due() == null) {
+                    insertStep.setString(8, null);
+                    insertStep.setString(9, null);
+                    insertStep.setString(10, null);
+                    insertStep.setString(11, null);
+                } else {
+                    insertStep.setString(8, step.due().after().toString());
+                    insertStep.setString(9, step.due().then().name());
+                    insertStep.setString(10, step.due().to());
+                    insertStep.setString(11, step.due().action());
+                }
                 insertStep.executeUpdate();
             }
             int candidateOrder = 0;

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/mapper/ApprovalStepMapper.java

@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 package com.jetlumen.ordo.storage.jdbc.mapper;
 
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ApprovalPolicy;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.DueThen;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepDue;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepKind;
 
 import java.sql.ResultSet;
 import java.sql.SQLException;
+import java.time.Duration;
 
 /**
  * Maps rows of {@code ordo_approval_step}. A step's candidate list lives in the separate
@@ -19,9 +22,22 @@ public final class ApprovalStepMapper {
         return new StepRow(resultSet.getString("step_id"), resultSet.getString("step_name"),
                 ApprovalPolicy.valueOf(resultSet.getString("policy")),
                 StepKind.valueOf(resultSet.getString("kind")),
-                resultSet.getString("action_key"));
+                resultSet.getString("action_key"),
+                resultSet.getString("due_after"),
+                resultSet.getString("due_then"),
+                resultSet.getString("due_to"),
+                resultSet.getString("due_action"));
     }
 
-    public record StepRow(String stepId, String stepName, ApprovalPolicy policy, StepKind kind, String actionKey) {
+    public static StepDue toDue(StepRow row) {
+        if (row.dueAfter() == null || row.dueAfter().isBlank()) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        return new StepDue(Duration.parse(row.dueAfter()), DueThen.valueOf(row.dueThen()), row.dueTo(),
+                row.dueAction());
+    }
+
+    public record StepRow(String stepId, String stepName, ApprovalPolicy policy, StepKind kind, String actionKey,
+                          String dueAfter, String dueThen, String dueTo, String dueAction) {
     }
 }

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/main/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/mapper/ApprovalTaskMapper.java

@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@ public final class ApprovalTaskMapper {
         statement.setString(5, task.assignee());
         statement.setString(6, task.status().name());
         statement.setTimestamp(7, Timestamp.from(task.createdAt()));
+        if (task.dueAt() == null) {
+            statement.setNull(8, Types.TIMESTAMP);
+        } else {
+            statement.setTimestamp(8, Timestamp.from(task.dueAt()));
+        }
     }
 
     public static void bindComplete(PreparedStatement statement, ApprovalTask completedTask) throws SQLException {
@@ -49,6 +54,7 @@ public final class ApprovalTaskMapper {
         TaskAction action = actionActor == null ? null
                 : new TaskAction(actionActor, resultSet.getString("action_comment"), actionAt.toInstant());
         Timestamp completedAt = resultSet.getTimestamp("completed_at");
+        Timestamp dueAt = resultSet.getTimestamp("due_at");
         return new ApprovalTask(
                 resultSet.getString("id"),
                 resultSet.getString("instance_id"),
@@ -58,6 +64,7 @@ public final class ApprovalTaskMapper {
                 TaskStatus.valueOf(resultSet.getString("status")),
                 resultSet.getTimestamp("created_at").toInstant(),
                 completedAt == null ? null : completedAt.toInstant(),
-                action);
+                action,
+                dueAt == null ? null : dueAt.toInstant());
     }
 }

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/main/resources/db/migration/V6__add_step_due.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+-- SLA / due escalation: task due_at plus step due policy columns.
+ALTER TABLE ordo_approval_task ADD COLUMN due_at TIMESTAMP;
+CREATE INDEX idx_approval_task_status_due ON ordo_approval_task (status, due_at);
+
+ALTER TABLE ordo_approval_step ADD COLUMN due_after VARCHAR(32);
+ALTER TABLE ordo_approval_step ADD COLUMN due_then VARCHAR(16);
+ALTER TABLE ordo_approval_step ADD COLUMN due_to VARCHAR(255);
+ALTER TABLE ordo_approval_step ADD COLUMN due_action VARCHAR(255);

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcApprovalTaskRepositoryTest.java

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertFalse;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertNull;
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertTrue;
 
 class JdbcApprovalTaskRepositoryTest {
@@ -218,6 +219,22 @@ class JdbcApprovalTaskRepositoryTest {
         }
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void claimIfDueClearsDueAtAndIgnoresTasksThatAreNotDue() {
+        Instant dueAt = CREATED_AT.plusSeconds(60);
+        ApprovalTask pending = new ApprovalTask("task-due", "inst-1", "manager", "manager approval", "maria",
+                TaskStatus.PENDING, CREATED_AT, null, null, dueAt);
+        repository.save(pending);
+
+        assertTrue(repository.findDuePending(CREATED_AT.plusSeconds(30), 10).isEmpty());
+        List<ApprovalTask> due = repository.findDuePending(dueAt, 10);
+        assertEquals(1, due.size());
+        assertEquals("task-due", due.get(0).id());
+        assertTrue(repository.claimIfDue("task-due", "maria", dueAt));
+        assertNull(repository.findById("task-due").orElseThrow().dueAt());
+        assertFalse(repository.claimIfDue("task-due", "maria", dueAt));
+    }
+
     private void attempt(CountDownLatch start, CountDownLatch done, AtomicInteger wins, ApprovalTask completed) {
         try {
             start.await();
@@ -234,12 +251,12 @@ class JdbcApprovalTaskRepositoryTest {
     private static ApprovalTask pendingTask(String id, String instanceId, String stepId, String assignee,
                                             Instant createdAt) {
         return new ApprovalTask(id, instanceId, stepId, stepId + " approval", assignee,
-                TaskStatus.PENDING, createdAt, null, null);
+                TaskStatus.PENDING, createdAt, null, null, null);
     }
 
     private static ApprovalTask completedTask(ApprovalTask pending, String comment) {
         return new ApprovalTask(pending.id(), pending.instanceId(), pending.stepId(), pending.name(),
                 pending.assignee(), TaskStatus.APPROVED, pending.createdAt(), COMPLETED_AT,
-                new TaskAction(pending.assignee(), comment, COMPLETED_AT));
+                new TaskAction(pending.assignee(), comment, COMPLETED_AT), pending.dueAt());
     }
 }

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcOrdoEngineIntegrationTest.java

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.jetlumen.ordo.storage.jdbc;
 
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ActionExecutionStatus;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ActionHandler;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ApprovalPolicy;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ApprovalStep;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ApprovalTask;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.AssigneeResolver;
@@ -14,6 +15,8 @@ import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessInstance;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessStatus;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.query.PageRequest;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.RoutingCondition;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepKind;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepDue;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepTransition;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.TaskStatus;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.exception.DefinitionInUseException;
@@ -118,6 +121,42 @@ class JdbcOrdoEngineIntegrationTest {
         assertEquals(task.id(), reassignedEvent.taskId());
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void processDueReassignsAnOverdueTask() {
+        ProcessDefinition dueDefinition = ProcessDefinition.linear("leave-due", "Leave request", List.of(
+                new ApprovalStep("manager", "Manager approval", List.of("maria"), ApprovalPolicy.ANY,
+                        StepKind.APPROVAL, null,
+                        StepDue.reassign(java.time.Duration.ofHours(1), "diana"))));
+        OrdoEngine startEngine = new DefaultOrdoEngine(Clock.fixed(NOW, ZoneOffset.UTC), AssigneeResolver.direct(),
+                RoutingCondition.always(), ActionHandler.noop(),
+                new JdbcTransactionExecutor(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcProcessInstanceRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcApprovalTaskRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcProcessHistoryRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcActionExecutionRepository(connectionProvider),
+                List.of());
+        startEngine.register(dueDefinition);
+        ProcessInstance instance = startEngine.start("leave-due", "alice");
+        assertEquals(0, startEngine.processDue(10));
+
+        OrdoEngine laterEngine = new DefaultOrdoEngine(Clock.fixed(NOW.plusSeconds(3601), ZoneOffset.UTC),
+                AssigneeResolver.direct(), RoutingCondition.always(), ActionHandler.noop(),
+                new JdbcTransactionExecutor(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcProcessDefinitionRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcProcessInstanceRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcApprovalTaskRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcProcessHistoryRepository(connectionProvider),
+                new JdbcActionExecutionRepository(connectionProvider),
+                List.of());
+        assertEquals(1, laterEngine.processDue(10));
+        ApprovalTask escalated = laterEngine.findPendingTasksByInstanceId(instance.id()).get(0);
+        assertEquals("diana", escalated.assignee());
+        assertNull(escalated.dueAt());
+        assertTrue(laterEngine.queryHistory(instance.id(), new PageRequest(0, 20)).content().stream()
+                .anyMatch(event -> event.type() == ProcessEventType.TASK_ESCALATED));
+    }
+
     @Test
     void rollsBackTheWholeApprovalWhenTheNextStepCannotBeCreated() {
         OrdoEngine failingEngine = newEngine((candidate, step, context) -> {

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcPostgresIntegrationTest.java

@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ class JdbcPostgresIntegrationTest {
 
         JdbcApprovalTaskRepository taskRepository = new JdbcApprovalTaskRepository(connectionProvider);
         ApprovalTask pending = new ApprovalTask("task-race-pg", "inst-race-pg", "manager", "Manager approval",
-                "maria", TaskStatus.PENDING, NOW, null, null);
+                "maria", TaskStatus.PENDING, NOW, null, null, null);
         taskRepository.save(pending);
         Instant completedAt = NOW.plusSeconds(30);
 
@@ -272,6 +272,6 @@ class JdbcPostgresIntegrationTest {
     private static ApprovalTask completedTask(ApprovalTask pending, String comment, Instant completedAt) {
         return new ApprovalTask(pending.id(), pending.instanceId(), pending.stepId(), pending.name(),
                 pending.assignee(), TaskStatus.APPROVED, pending.createdAt(), completedAt,
-                new TaskAction(pending.assignee(), comment, completedAt));
+                new TaskAction(pending.assignee(), comment, completedAt), pending.dueAt());
     }
 }

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcProcessDefinitionRepositoryTest.java

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 package com.jetlumen.ordo.storage.jdbc;
 
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ApprovalPolicy;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ApprovalStep;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.ProcessDefinition;
+import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepDue;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepKind;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.StepTransition;
 import com.jetlumen.ordo.api.query.Page;
@@ -110,4 +112,13 @@ class JdbcProcessDefinitionRepositoryTest {
         assertEquals(List.of("c-def"), pageTwo.content().stream().map(ProcessDefinition::id).toList());
         assertFalse(pageTwo.hasNext());
     }
+
+    @Test
+    void insertsAndReadsBackStepDue() {
+        ProcessDefinition definition = ProcessDefinition.linear("leave-due", "Leave request", List.of(
+                new ApprovalStep("manager", "Manager approval", List.of("maria"), ApprovalPolicy.ANY,
+                        StepKind.APPROVAL, null, StepDue.reassign(java.time.Duration.parse("PT48H"), "director"))));
+        assertTrue(repository.insertIfAbsent(definition));
+        assertEquals(definition, repository.findById("leave-due").orElseThrow());
+    }
 }

ordo-storage-jdbc/src/test/java/com/jetlumen/ordo/storage/jdbc/JdbcTestSupport.java

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ final class JdbcTestSupport {
             "/db/migration/V2__add_step_candidates_and_policy.sql",
             "/db/migration/V3__add_step_transitions.sql",
             "/db/migration/V4__add_step_kind_and_action_key.sql",
-            "/db/migration/V5__add_process_event_and_action_execution.sql"
+            "/db/migration/V5__add_process_event_and_action_execution.sql",
+            "/db/migration/V6__add_step_due.sql"
     };
     private static final String[] SCHEMA_SQL = loadSchemas();