Diagnose a slow Postgres work queue
Separate claim-query cost, handler capacity, hot keys, and transport limits before changing queue technology.
Reference: schema, support queries, and guarantee tests
The Postgres schema, operational queries, and tests used to inspect and verify the durable-work implementation.
Production controls
Lease renewal, fencing, graceful drain, and housekeeping for Postgres-backed durable work after order:9182 ships.
Stable worker affinity with consistent hashing
Use fixed database buckets, a consistent-hash ring, and live membership when work benefits from staying on the same process.
Many workers
Multi-worker contention, delivery guarantees, and per-key ordering before consistent hash.
Crash recovery
Leases, lease cleanup, at-least-once delivery, and handler idempotency for Postgres inbox workers.
The claim loop
Minimal Postgres claim loop: enqueue, SKIP LOCKED claim, complete, and handler retry with an interactive simulation.
A practical guide to durable work in Postgres
Choose and build Postgres-backed work queues with leases, idempotent handlers, competing consumers, outbox delivery, and dead letters.