diff --git a/config.go b/config.go
index 921cb24..aeffbd7 100644
--- a/config.go
+++ b/config.go
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 // Copyright 2021 Harran Ali <harran.m@gmail.com>. All rights reserved.
 // Copyright (c) 2024 Zeni Kim <zenik@smarteching.com>
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Jose Cely <me@jacs.guru>
 // Use of this source code is governed by MIT-style
 // license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
 
 package core
 
+import "time"
+
 type EnvFileConfig struct {
 	UseDotEnvFile bool
 }
@@ -28,6 +31,12 @@ type QueueConfig struct {
 	Queues      map[string]int
 }
 
+type SchedulerConfig struct {
+	EnableScheduler    bool
+	SchedulerInterval  time.Duration
+	SchedulerRateLimit int
+}
+
 type CacheConfig struct {
 	EnableCache bool
 }
diff --git a/scheduler.go b/scheduler.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90f6f57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scheduler.go
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Jose Cely <me@jacs.guru>
+// Use of this source code is governed by MIT-style
+// license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
+
+package core
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.smarteching.com/goffee/core/logger"
+	"git.smarteching.com/goffee/core/scheduler"
+)
+
+// Default values for SchedulerConfig
+var DefaultSchedulerInterval = 10 * time.Second
+var DefaultSchedulerRateLimit = 10
+
+// globalSchedulerMux holds the active Schedulermux instance so controllers
+// can access it without requiring a direct import chain.
+var globalSchedulerMux *Schedulermux
+
+// Schedulermux wraps the scheduler Registry and manages the lifecycle
+// of a simple database-backed task scheduler.
+type Schedulermux struct {
+	registry  *scheduler.Registry
+	store     *scheduler.Store
+	semaphore *scheduler.Semaphore
+	sched     *scheduler.Scheduler
+}
+
+// SchedulerInit initializes the scheduler internals (registry and semaphore).
+// The store must be set separately via SetStore before starting.
+func (s *Schedulermux) SchedulerInit() {
+	s.registry = scheduler.NewRegistry()
+	s.semaphore = scheduler.NewSemaphore(true)
+	globalSchedulerMux = s
+}
+
+// SetStore sets the store (backed by *gorm.DB) on the scheduler.
+// This also runs AutoMigrate for the queue_items and processed_items tables.
+func (s *Schedulermux) SetStore(st *scheduler.Store) {
+	s.store = st
+}
+
+// AddWork registers a task handler function for a given task type.
+func (s *Schedulermux) AddWork(taskType string, handler scheduler.HandlerFunc) {
+	s.registry.Register(taskType, handler)
+}
+
+// GetStore returns the scheduler store, or nil if not initialized.
+func (s *Schedulermux) GetStore() *scheduler.Store {
+	return s.store
+}
+
+// RunScheduler starts the scheduler loop with the given configuration.
+// It creates the internal Scheduler instance and launches it in a goroutine.
+func (s *Schedulermux) RunScheduler(config SchedulerConfig) {
+	if s.store == nil {
+		log.Fatal("scheduler: store is not set — call SetStore before RunScheduler")
+	}
+
+	interval := config.SchedulerInterval
+	if interval <= 0 {
+		interval = DefaultSchedulerInterval
+	}
+
+	rateLimit := config.SchedulerRateLimit
+	if rateLimit < 0 {
+		rateLimit = DefaultSchedulerRateLimit
+	}
+
+	s.sched = scheduler.NewScheduler(
+		scheduler.SchedulerConfig{
+			Interval:  interval,
+			RateLimit: rateLimit,
+		},
+		s.semaphore,
+		s.store,
+		s.registry,
+	)
+
+	// Recover stuck items from a previous crash before starting.
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	recovered, err := s.store.RecoverStuck(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Error(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] recover stuck error: %v", err))
+	} else if recovered > 0 {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Info(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] recovered %d stuck task(s) back to pending", recovered))
+	}
+
+	s.sched.Start(ctx)
+}
+
+// StopScheduler gracefully stops the scheduler loop.
+func (s *Schedulermux) StopScheduler() {
+	if s.sched != nil {
+		s.sched.Stop()
+	}
+}
+
+// SemaphoreSetGreen allows task execution to proceed.
+func (s *Schedulermux) SemaphoreSetGreen() {
+	if s.semaphore != nil {
+		s.semaphore.SetGreen()
+	}
+}
+
+// SemaphoreSetRed blocks task execution.
+func (s *Schedulermux) SemaphoreSetRed() {
+	if s.semaphore != nil {
+		s.semaphore.SetRed()
+	}
+}
+
+// ResolveSchedulerStore returns the store from the global scheduler mux instance.
+// Returns nil if the scheduler was never initialized.
+func ResolveSchedulerStore() *scheduler.Store {
+	if globalSchedulerMux == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return globalSchedulerMux.GetStore()
+}
+
+// SchedulerSemaphoreSetGreen enables task execution by setting the semaphore to green.
+func SchedulerSemaphoreSetGreen() {
+	if globalSchedulerMux != nil {
+		globalSchedulerMux.SemaphoreSetGreen()
+	}
+}
+
+// SchedulerSemaphoreSetRed blocks task execution by setting the semaphore to red.
+func SchedulerSemaphoreSetRed() {
+	if globalSchedulerMux != nil {
+		globalSchedulerMux.SemaphoreSetRed()
+	}
+}
+
+// SchedulerSemaphoreIsGreen returns whether the scheduler semaphore is currently green.
+func SchedulerSemaphoreIsGreen() bool {
+	if globalSchedulerMux == nil || globalSchedulerMux.semaphore == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return globalSchedulerMux.semaphore.IsGreen()
+}
diff --git a/scheduler/scheduler.go b/scheduler/scheduler.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfb7d32
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scheduler/scheduler.go
@@ -0,0 +1,391 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Jose Cely <me@jacs.guru>
+// Use of this source code is governed by MIT-style
+// license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
+
+package scheduler
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.smarteching.com/goffee/core/logger"
+	"gorm.io/gorm"
+	"gorm.io/gorm/clause"
+)
+
+// ─── Status types ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// QueueStatus represents the lifecycle state of a queued item.
+type QueueStatus string
+
+const (
+	StatusPending    QueueStatus = "pending"
+	StatusProcessing QueueStatus = "processing" // claimed by a scheduler tick
+)
+
+// ProcessedStatus is the final outcome recorded in processed_items.
+type ProcessedStatus string
+
+const (
+	ProcessedOK    ProcessedStatus = "ok"
+	ProcessedError ProcessedStatus = "error"
+)
+
+// ─── Models ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// QueueItem is a task waiting to be executed.
+// Any external program can insert a row into this table to enqueue work.
+//
+//	INSERT INTO queue_items (task_type, payload, priority) VALUES (?, ?, ?);
+type QueueItem struct {
+	ID        uint        `gorm:"primaryKey;autoIncrement"`
+	TaskType  string      `gorm:"not null;index"` // e.g. "send_email", "sync_records"
+	Payload   string      `gorm:"type:text"`      // JSON or plain string, interpreted by the handler
+	Status    QueueStatus `gorm:"not null;default:'pending';index"`
+	Priority  int         `gorm:"not null;default:0;index"` // higher = runs first within a tick
+	CreatedAt time.Time
+	UpdatedAt time.Time
+}
+
+// TableName overrides the GORM default.
+func (QueueItem) TableName() string { return "queue_items" }
+
+// ProcessedItem is an immutable record of a completed execution.
+// Rows are never updated — only inserted.
+type ProcessedItem struct {
+	ID          uint            `gorm:"primaryKey;autoIncrement"`
+	QueueItemID uint            `gorm:"not null;index"` // FK → queue_items.id (soft ref)
+	TaskType    string          `gorm:"not null;index"`
+	Payload     string          `gorm:"type:text"`
+	Status      ProcessedStatus `gorm:"not null;index"`
+	ErrorMsg    string          `gorm:"type:text"` // empty when Status == "ok"
+	StartedAt   time.Time       `gorm:"not null"`
+	FinishedAt  time.Time       `gorm:"not null"`
+	DurationMs  int64           `gorm:"not null"` // FinishedAt - StartedAt in ms
+	CreatedAt   time.Time
+}
+
+// TableName overrides the GORM default.
+func (ProcessedItem) TableName() string { return "processed_items" }
+
+// ─── Handler ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// HandlerFunc processes a single queue item.
+// Return a non-nil error to mark the item as processed with error status.
+type HandlerFunc func(ctx context.Context, item *QueueItem) error
+
+// Registry maps task types to their handlers.
+// Register all handlers before calling Scheduler.Start.
+type Registry struct {
+	handlers map[string]HandlerFunc
+}
+
+// NewRegistry creates an empty handler registry.
+func NewRegistry() *Registry {
+	return &Registry{handlers: make(map[string]HandlerFunc)}
+}
+
+// Register associates a task type with a handler.
+// Panics on duplicate registration to catch misconfiguration at startup.
+func (r *Registry) Register(taskType string, h HandlerFunc) {
+	if _, exists := r.handlers[taskType]; exists {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("scheduler: handler already registered for task type %q", taskType))
+	}
+	r.handlers[taskType] = h
+}
+
+// get returns the handler for a task type, or a fallback error handler.
+func (r *Registry) get(taskType string) HandlerFunc {
+	if h, ok := r.handlers[taskType]; ok {
+		return h
+	}
+	return func(_ context.Context, item *QueueItem) error {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no handler registered for task type %q", item.TaskType)
+	}
+}
+
+// ─── Store ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// Store handles all database operations for the scheduler.
+type Store struct {
+	db *gorm.DB
+}
+
+// NewStore creates a Store.
+// Tables (queue_items, processed_items)
+func NewStore(db *gorm.DB) (*Store, error) {
+	if db == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("scheduler: db is nil")
+	}
+	return &Store{db: db}, nil
+}
+
+// Enqueue inserts a new pending task.
+func (s *Store) Enqueue(ctx context.Context, taskType, payload string, priority int) (*QueueItem, error) {
+	item := &QueueItem{
+		TaskType: taskType,
+		Payload:  payload,
+		Status:   StatusPending,
+		Priority: priority,
+	}
+	if err := s.db.WithContext(ctx).Create(item).Error; err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("enqueue %s: %w", taskType, err)
+	}
+	return item, nil
+}
+
+// ClaimBatch atomically claims up to `limit` pending tasks and marks them
+// as "processing" so that concurrent scheduler instances never double-execute.
+func (s *Store) ClaimBatch(ctx context.Context, limit int) ([]*QueueItem, error) {
+	var items []*QueueItem
+
+	err := s.db.WithContext(ctx).Transaction(func(tx *gorm.DB) error {
+		query := tx.
+			Clauses(clause.Locking{Strength: "UPDATE", Options: "SKIP LOCKED"}).
+			Where("status = ?", StatusPending).
+			Order("priority DESC, id ASC").
+			Limit(limit).
+			Find(&items)
+
+		if query.Error != nil {
+			return query.Error
+		}
+		if len(items) == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		ids := make([]uint, len(items))
+		for i, it := range items {
+			ids[i] = it.ID
+		}
+
+		return tx.Model(&QueueItem{}).
+			Where("id IN ?", ids).
+			Update("status", StatusProcessing).
+			Error
+	})
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("claim batch: %w", err)
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
+// RecordResult writes a ProcessedItem and deletes the original QueueItem
+// in a single transaction.
+func (s *Store) RecordResult(ctx context.Context, item *QueueItem, startedAt time.Time, execErr error) error {
+	finishedAt := time.Now()
+
+	status := ProcessedOK
+	errMsg := ""
+	if execErr != nil {
+		status = ProcessedError
+		errMsg = execErr.Error()
+	}
+
+	processed := &ProcessedItem{
+		QueueItemID: item.ID,
+		TaskType:    item.TaskType,
+		Payload:     item.Payload,
+		Status:      status,
+		ErrorMsg:    errMsg,
+		StartedAt:   startedAt,
+		FinishedAt:  finishedAt,
+		DurationMs:  finishedAt.Sub(startedAt).Milliseconds(),
+	}
+
+	return s.db.WithContext(ctx).Transaction(func(tx *gorm.DB) error {
+		if err := tx.Create(processed).Error; err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("insert processed_item: %w", err)
+		}
+		if err := tx.Delete(&QueueItem{}, item.ID).Error; err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("delete queue_item %d: %w", item.ID, err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+}
+
+// PendingCount returns the number of tasks currently in pending or processing state.
+func (s *Store) PendingCount(ctx context.Context) (int64, error) {
+	var count int64
+	err := s.db.WithContext(ctx).
+		Model(&QueueItem{}).
+		Where("status IN ?", []QueueStatus{StatusPending, StatusProcessing}).
+		Count(&count).Error
+	return count, err
+}
+
+// RecentProcessed returns the last `n` processed items ordered by newest first.
+func (s *Store) RecentProcessed(ctx context.Context, n int) ([]*ProcessedItem, error) {
+	var items []*ProcessedItem
+	err := s.db.WithContext(ctx).
+		Order("id DESC").
+		Limit(n).
+		Find(&items).Error
+	return items, err
+}
+
+// RecoverStuck resets any items stuck in "processing" state (e.g. after a
+// crash) back to "pending" so they can be re-claimed on the next tick.
+// Call this once at startup.
+func (s *Store) RecoverStuck(ctx context.Context) (int64, error) {
+	result := s.db.WithContext(ctx).
+		Model(&QueueItem{}).
+		Where("status = ?", StatusProcessing).
+		Update("status", StatusPending)
+	return result.RowsAffected, result.Error
+}
+
+// ─── Semaphore ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// Semaphore controls whether the scheduler is allowed to execute tasks.
+// Green (true) means tasks can run; Red (false) means tasks are blocked.
+type Semaphore struct {
+	green chan bool
+}
+
+// NewSemaphore creates a Semaphore. Pass true to start green, false to start red.
+func NewSemaphore(startGreen bool) *Semaphore {
+	s := &Semaphore{green: make(chan bool, 1)}
+	s.green <- startGreen
+	return s
+}
+
+// SetGreen allows task execution to proceed.
+func (s *Semaphore) SetGreen() {
+	<-s.green
+	s.green <- true
+}
+
+// SetRed blocks task execution.
+func (s *Semaphore) SetRed() {
+	<-s.green
+	s.green <- false
+}
+
+// IsGreen reports whether execution is currently allowed.
+func (s *Semaphore) IsGreen() bool {
+	val := <-s.green
+	s.green <- val
+	return val
+}
+
+// ─── Scheduler ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// Scheduler polls the database every interval and executes pending tasks.
+type Scheduler struct {
+	interval  time.Duration
+	rateLimit int // max tasks per tick; 0 = unlimited
+	semaphore *Semaphore
+	store     *Store
+	registry  *Registry
+
+	stop chan struct{}
+	done chan struct{}
+}
+
+// SchedulerConfig holds constructor options.
+type SchedulerConfig struct {
+	Interval  time.Duration
+	RateLimit int // 0 = unlimited
+}
+
+// NewScheduler creates a Scheduler.
+func NewScheduler(cfg SchedulerConfig, sem *Semaphore, st *Store, reg *Registry) *Scheduler {
+	return &Scheduler{
+		interval:  cfg.Interval,
+		rateLimit: cfg.RateLimit,
+		semaphore: sem,
+		store:     st,
+		registry:  reg,
+		stop:      make(chan struct{}),
+		done:      make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+}
+
+// Start launches the scheduler goroutine.
+func (s *Scheduler) Start(ctx context.Context) {
+	go s.run(ctx)
+}
+
+// Stop signals the scheduler and waits for it to exit cleanly.
+func (s *Scheduler) Stop() {
+	close(s.stop)
+	<-s.done
+}
+
+// run is the main event loop.
+func (s *Scheduler) run(ctx context.Context) {
+	defer close(s.done)
+
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(s.interval)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			logger.ResolveLogger().Info("[scheduler] context cancelled, shutting down")
+			return
+		case <-s.stop:
+			logger.ResolveLogger().Info("[scheduler] stop requested, shutting down")
+			return
+		case t := <-ticker.C:
+			s.tick(ctx, t)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// tick runs on every ticker event.
+func (s *Scheduler) tick(ctx context.Context, t time.Time) {
+	ts := t.Format(time.TimeOnly)
+
+	if !s.semaphore.IsGreen() {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Info(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] tick %s — semaphore RED, skipping", ts))
+		return
+	}
+
+	limit := s.rateLimit
+	if limit == 0 {
+		limit = 1000
+	}
+
+	items, err := s.store.ClaimBatch(ctx, limit)
+	if err != nil {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Error(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] tick %s — claim error: %v", ts, err))
+		return
+	}
+	if len(items) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	logger.ResolveLogger().Info(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] tick %s — executing %d task(s)", ts, len(items)))
+
+	for i, item := range items {
+		s.execute(ctx, item, i+1, len(items))
+	}
+
+	if remaining, err := s.store.PendingCount(ctx); err == nil {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Info(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] tick %s — done (%d task(s) still queued)", ts, remaining))
+	}
+}
+
+// execute runs one task and records the result regardless of outcome.
+func (s *Scheduler) execute(ctx context.Context, item *QueueItem, pos, total int) {
+	logger.ResolveLogger().Info(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] [%d/%d] starting task id=%d type=%s", pos, total, item.ID, item.TaskType))
+
+	startedAt := time.Now()
+	handler := s.registry.get(item.TaskType)
+	execErr := handler(ctx, item)
+
+	if execErr != nil {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Error(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] [%d/%d] task id=%d FAILED: %v", pos, total, item.ID, execErr))
+	} else {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Info(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] [%d/%d] task id=%d OK (%.0fms)",
+			pos, total, item.ID, float64(time.Since(startedAt).Milliseconds())))
+	}
+
+	if err := s.store.RecordResult(ctx, item, startedAt, execErr); err != nil {
+		logger.ResolveLogger().Error(fmt.Sprintf("[scheduler] [%d/%d] failed to record result for id=%d: %v", pos, total, item.ID, err))
+	}
+}