diff --git a/broker.go b/broker.go
index 98850aa..a220c61 100644
--- a/broker.go
+++ b/broker.go
@@ -24,8 +24,9 @@ type QueuedTask struct {
 }
 
 type consumer struct {
-	id   string
-	conn net.Conn
+	id    string
+	state consts.ConsumerState
+	conn  net.Conn
 }
 
 type publisher struct {
@@ -50,6 +51,10 @@ func NewBroker(opts ...Option) *Broker {
 	}
 }
 
+func (b *Broker) Options() Options {
+	return b.opts
+}
+
 func (b *Broker) OnClose(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn) error {
 	consumerID, ok := GetConsumerID(ctx)
 	if ok && consumerID != "" {
@@ -110,6 +115,16 @@ func (b *Broker) OnMessage(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message, conn net.Con
 		b.MessageResponseHandler(ctx, msg)
 	case consts.MESSAGE_ACK:
 		b.MessageAck(ctx, msg)
+	case consts.MESSAGE_DENY:
+		b.MessageDeny(ctx, msg)
+	case consts.CONSUMER_PAUSED:
+		b.OnConsumerPause(ctx, msg)
+	case consts.CONSUMER_RESUMED:
+		b.OnConsumerResume(ctx, msg)
+	case consts.CONSUMER_STOPPED:
+		b.OnConsumerStop(ctx, msg)
+	default:
+		log.Printf("BROKER - UNKNOWN_COMMAND ~> %s on %s", msg.Command, msg.Queue)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -119,6 +134,43 @@ func (b *Broker) MessageAck(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message) {
 	log.Printf("BROKER - MESSAGE_ACK ~> %s on %s for Task %s", consumerID, msg.Queue, taskID)
 }
 
+func (b *Broker) MessageDeny(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message) {
+	consumerID, _ := GetConsumerID(ctx)
+	taskID, _ := jsonparser.GetString(msg.Payload, "id")
+	taskError, _ := jsonparser.GetString(msg.Payload, "error")
+	log.Printf("BROKER - MESSAGE_DENY ~> %s on %s for Task %s, Error: %s", consumerID, msg.Queue, taskID, taskError)
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) OnConsumerPause(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message) {
+	consumerID, _ := GetConsumerID(ctx)
+	if consumerID != "" {
+		if con, exists := b.consumers.Get(consumerID); exists {
+			con.state = consts.ConsumerStatePaused
+			log.Printf("BROKER - CONSUMER ~> Paused %s", consumerID)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) OnConsumerStop(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message) {
+	consumerID, _ := GetConsumerID(ctx)
+	if consumerID != "" {
+		if con, exists := b.consumers.Get(consumerID); exists {
+			con.state = consts.ConsumerStateStopped
+			log.Printf("BROKER - CONSUMER ~> Stopped %s", consumerID)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) OnConsumerResume(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message) {
+	consumerID, _ := GetConsumerID(ctx)
+	if consumerID != "" {
+		if con, exists := b.consumers.Get(consumerID); exists {
+			con.state = consts.ConsumerStateActive
+			log.Printf("BROKER - CONSUMER ~> Resumed %s", consumerID)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func (b *Broker) MessageResponseHandler(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message) {
 	msg.Command = consts.RESPONSE
 	b.HandleCallback(ctx, msg)
@@ -170,7 +222,7 @@ func (b *Broker) PublishHandler(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, msg *codec.M
 }
 
 func (b *Broker) SubscribeHandler(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, msg *codec.Message) {
-	consumerID := b.addConsumer(ctx, msg.Queue, conn)
+	consumerID := b.AddConsumer(ctx, msg.Queue, conn)
 	ack := codec.NewMessage(consts.SUBSCRIBE_ACK, nil, msg.Queue, msg.Headers)
 	if err := b.send(conn, ack); err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Error sending SUBSCRIBE_ACK: %v\n", err)
@@ -181,7 +233,7 @@ func (b *Broker) SubscribeHandler(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, msg *codec
 	go func() {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
-			b.removeConsumer(msg.Queue, consumerID)
+			b.RemoveConsumer(consumerID, msg.Queue)
 		}
 	}()
 }
@@ -267,7 +319,7 @@ func (b *Broker) addPublisher(ctx context.Context, queueName string, conn net.Co
 	return con
 }
 
-func (b *Broker) addConsumer(ctx context.Context, queueName string, conn net.Conn) string {
+func (b *Broker) AddConsumer(ctx context.Context, queueName string, conn net.Conn) string {
 	consumerID, ok := GetConsumerID(ctx)
 	q, ok := b.queues.Get(queueName)
 	if !ok {
@@ -280,15 +332,66 @@ func (b *Broker) addConsumer(ctx context.Context, queueName string, conn net.Con
 	return consumerID
 }
 
-func (b *Broker) removeConsumer(queueName, consumerID string) {
-	if queue, ok := b.queues.Get(queueName); ok {
+func (b *Broker) RemoveConsumer(consumerID string, queues ...string) {
+	if len(queues) > 0 {
+		for _, queueName := range queues {
+			if queue, ok := b.queues.Get(queueName); ok {
+				con, ok := queue.consumers.Get(consumerID)
+				if ok {
+					con.conn.Close()
+					queue.consumers.Del(consumerID)
+				}
+				b.queues.Del(queueName)
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	b.queues.ForEach(func(queueName string, queue *Queue) bool {
 		con, ok := queue.consumers.Get(consumerID)
 		if ok {
 			con.conn.Close()
 			queue.consumers.Del(consumerID)
 		}
 		b.queues.Del(queueName)
+		return true
+	})
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) handleConsumer(cmd consts.CMD, state consts.ConsumerState, consumerID string, queues ...string) {
+	fn := func(queue *Queue) {
+		con, ok := queue.consumers.Get(consumerID)
+		if ok {
+			ack := codec.NewMessage(cmd, []byte("{}"), queue.name, map[string]string{consts.ConsumerKey: consumerID})
+			err := b.send(con.conn, ack)
+			if err == nil {
+				con.state = state
+			}
+		}
 	}
+	if len(queues) > 0 {
+		for _, queueName := range queues {
+			if queue, ok := b.queues.Get(queueName); ok {
+				fn(queue)
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	b.queues.ForEach(func(queueName string, queue *Queue) bool {
+		fn(queue)
+		return true
+	})
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) PauseConsumer(consumerID string, queues ...string) {
+	b.handleConsumer(consts.CONSUMER_PAUSE, consts.ConsumerStatePaused, consumerID, queues...)
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) ResumeConsumer(consumerID string, queues ...string) {
+	b.handleConsumer(consts.CONSUMER_RESUME, consts.ConsumerStateActive, consumerID, queues...)
+}
+
+func (b *Broker) StopConsumer(consumerID string, queues ...string) {
+	b.handleConsumer(consts.CONSUMER_STOP, consts.ConsumerStateStopped, consumerID, queues...)
 }
 
 func (b *Broker) readMessage(ctx context.Context, c net.Conn) error {
@@ -323,13 +426,22 @@ func (b *Broker) dispatchWorker(queue *Queue) {
 
 func (b *Broker) dispatchTaskToConsumer(queue *Queue, task *QueuedTask) bool {
 	var consumerFound bool
+	var err error
 	queue.consumers.ForEach(func(_ string, con *consumer) bool {
+		if con.state != consts.ConsumerStateActive {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("consumer %s is not active", con.id)
+			return false
+		}
 		if err := b.send(con.conn, task.Message); err == nil {
 			consumerFound = true
-			return false // break the loop once a consumer is found
+			return false
 		}
 		return true
 	})
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Println(err.Error())
+		return false
+	}
 	if !consumerFound {
 		log.Printf("No available consumers for queue %s, retrying...", queue.name)
 	}
diff --git a/codec/codec.go b/codec/codec.go
index ac71082..d7c1b8f 100644
--- a/codec/codec.go
+++ b/codec/codec.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/oarkflow/mq/consts"
 )
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@ type Message struct {
 	Queue   string            `json:"q"`
 	Command consts.CMD        `json:"c"`
 	Payload json.RawMessage   `json:"p"`
-	// Metadata map[string]any    `json:"m"`
+	m       sync.RWMutex
 }
 
 func NewMessage(cmd consts.CMD, payload json.RawMessage, queue string, headers map[string]string) *Message {
@@ -24,14 +25,13 @@ func NewMessage(cmd consts.CMD, payload json.RawMessage, queue string, headers m
 		Queue:   queue,
 		Command: cmd,
 		Payload: payload,
-		// Metadata: nil,
 	}
 }
 
 func (m *Message) Serialize(aesKey, hmacKey []byte, encrypt bool) ([]byte, string, error) {
+	m.m.Lock()
+	defer m.m.Unlock()
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
-
-	// Serialize Headers, Topic, Command, Payload, and Metadata
 	if err := writeLengthPrefixedJSON(&buf, m.Headers); err != nil {
 		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("error serializing headers: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -44,56 +44,37 @@ func (m *Message) Serialize(aesKey, hmacKey []byte, encrypt bool) ([]byte, strin
 	if err := writePayload(&buf, aesKey, m.Payload, encrypt); err != nil {
 		return nil, "", err
 	}
-	/*if err := writeLengthPrefixedJSON(&buf, m.Metadata); err != nil {
-		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("error serializing metadata: %v", err)
-	}*/
-
-	// Calculate HMAC
 	messageBytes := buf.Bytes()
 	hmacSignature := CalculateHMAC(hmacKey, messageBytes)
-
 	return messageBytes, hmacSignature, nil
 }
 
 func Deserialize(data, aesKey, hmacKey []byte, receivedHMAC string, decrypt bool) (*Message, error) {
 	if !VerifyHMAC(hmacKey, data, receivedHMAC) {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("HMAC verification failed")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("HMAC verification failed %s", string(hmacKey))
 	}
-
 	buf := bytes.NewReader(data)
-
-	// Deserialize Headers, Topic, Command, Payload, and Metadata
 	headers := make(map[string]string)
 	if err := readLengthPrefixedJSON(buf, &headers); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error deserializing headers: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	topic, err := readLengthPrefixedString(buf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error deserializing topic: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	var command consts.CMD
 	if err := binary.Read(buf, binary.LittleEndian, &command); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error deserializing command: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	payload, err := readPayload(buf, aesKey, decrypt)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error deserializing payload: %v", err)
 	}
-
-	/*metadata := make(map[string]any)
-	if err := readLengthPrefixedJSON(buf, &metadata); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error deserializing metadata: %v", err)
-	}*/
-
 	return &Message{
 		Headers: headers,
 		Queue:   topic,
 		Command: command,
 		Payload: payload,
-		// Metadata: metadata,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -102,11 +83,9 @@ func SendMessage(conn io.Writer, msg *Message, aesKey, hmacKey []byte, encrypt b
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error serializing message: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	if err := writeMessageWithHMAC(conn, sentData, hmacSignature); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error sending message: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -115,7 +94,6 @@ func ReadMessage(conn io.Reader, aesKey, hmacKey []byte, decrypt bool) (*Message
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-
 	return Deserialize(data, aesKey, hmacKey, receivedHMAC, decrypt)
 }
 
@@ -195,7 +173,6 @@ func readPayload(r *bytes.Reader, aesKey []byte, decrypt bool) (json.RawMessage,
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-
 	var payloadBytes []byte
 	if decrypt {
 		nonce := make([]byte, 12)
@@ -209,12 +186,10 @@ func readPayload(r *bytes.Reader, aesKey []byte, decrypt bool) (json.RawMessage,
 	} else {
 		payloadBytes = encryptedPayload
 	}
-
 	var payload json.RawMessage
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(payloadBytes, &payload); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error unmarshalling payload: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	return payload, nil
 }
 func writeMessageWithHMAC(conn io.Writer, messageBytes []byte, hmacSignature string) error {
diff --git a/consts/constants.go b/consts/constants.go
index 9abbc6b..c9280b8 100644
--- a/consts/constants.go
+++ b/consts/constants.go
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ package consts
 
 type CMD byte
 
-func (c CMD) IsValid() bool { return c >= PING && c <= STOP }
+func (c CMD) IsValid() bool { return c >= PING && c <= CONSUMER_STOP }
 
 const (
 	PING CMD = iota + 1
@@ -11,13 +11,29 @@ const (
 
 	MESSAGE_SEND
 	MESSAGE_RESPONSE
+	MESSAGE_DENY
 	MESSAGE_ACK
 	MESSAGE_ERROR
 
 	PUBLISH
 	PUBLISH_ACK
 	RESPONSE
-	STOP
+
+	CONSUMER_PAUSE
+	CONSUMER_RESUME
+	CONSUMER_STOP
+
+	CONSUMER_PAUSED
+	CONSUMER_RESUMED
+	CONSUMER_STOPPED
+)
+
+type ConsumerState byte
+
+const (
+	ConsumerStateActive ConsumerState = iota
+	ConsumerStatePaused
+	ConsumerStateStopped
 )
 
 func (c CMD) String() string {
@@ -30,6 +46,8 @@ func (c CMD) String() string {
 		return "SUBSCRIBE_ACK"
 	case MESSAGE_SEND:
 		return "MESSAGE_SEND"
+	case MESSAGE_DENY:
+		return "MESSAGE_DENY"
 	case MESSAGE_RESPONSE:
 		return "MESSAGE_RESPONSE"
 	case MESSAGE_ERROR:
@@ -40,8 +58,18 @@ func (c CMD) String() string {
 		return "PUBLISH"
 	case PUBLISH_ACK:
 		return "PUBLISH_ACK"
-	case STOP:
-		return "STOP"
+	case CONSUMER_PAUSE:
+		return "CONSUMER_PAUSE"
+	case CONSUMER_RESUME:
+		return "CONSUMER_RESUME"
+	case CONSUMER_STOP:
+		return "CONSUMER_STOP"
+	case CONSUMER_PAUSED:
+		return "CONSUMER_PAUSED"
+	case CONSUMER_RESUMED:
+		return "CONSUMER_RESUMED"
+	case CONSUMER_STOPPED:
+		return "CONSUMER_STOPPED"
 	case RESPONSE:
 		return "RESPONSE"
 	default:
diff --git a/consumer.go b/consumer.go
index f639538..8fc5f1e 100644
--- a/consumer.go
+++ b/consumer.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ type Consumer struct {
 	conn    net.Conn
 	queue   string
 	opts    Options
+	pool    *Pool
 }
 
 // NewConsumer initializes a new consumer with the provided options.
@@ -44,8 +45,9 @@ func (c *Consumer) receive(conn net.Conn) (*codec.Message, error) {
 	return codec.ReadMessage(conn, c.opts.aesKey, c.opts.hmacKey, c.opts.enableEncryption)
 }
 
-// Close closes the consumer's connection.
+// Close closes the consumer's connection and stops the worker pool.
 func (c *Consumer) Close() error {
+	c.pool.Stop()
 	return c.conn.Close()
 }
 
@@ -55,11 +57,10 @@ func (c *Consumer) subscribe(ctx context.Context, queue string) error {
 		consts.ConsumerKey: c.id,
 		consts.ContentType: consts.TypeJson,
 	})
-	msg := codec.NewMessage(consts.SUBSCRIBE, nil, queue, headers)
+	msg := codec.NewMessage(consts.SUBSCRIBE, []byte("{}"), queue, headers)
 	if err := c.send(c.conn, msg); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
 	return c.waitForAck(c.conn)
 }
 
@@ -73,6 +74,30 @@ func (c *Consumer) OnError(_ context.Context, conn net.Conn, err error) {
 }
 
 func (c *Consumer) OnMessage(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message, conn net.Conn) {
+	switch msg.Command {
+	case consts.PUBLISH:
+		c.ConsumeMessage(ctx, msg, conn)
+	case consts.CONSUMER_PAUSE:
+		err := c.Pause()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Unable to pause consumer: %v", err)
+		}
+	case consts.CONSUMER_RESUME:
+		err := c.Resume()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Unable to resume consumer: %v", err)
+		}
+	case consts.CONSUMER_STOP:
+		err := c.Stop()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Unable to stop consumer: %v", err)
+		}
+	default:
+		log.Printf("CONSUMER - UNKNOWN_COMMAND ~> %s on %s", msg.Command, msg.Queue)
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *Consumer) ConsumeMessage(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message, conn net.Conn) {
 	headers := WithHeaders(ctx, map[string]string{
 		consts.ConsumerKey: c.id,
 		consts.ContentType: consts.TypeJson,
@@ -89,11 +114,20 @@ func (c *Consumer) OnMessage(ctx context.Context, msg *codec.Message, conn net.C
 		log.Printf("Error unmarshalling message: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
+
 	ctx = SetHeaders(ctx, map[string]string{consts.QueueKey: msg.Queue})
-	result := c.ProcessTask(ctx, &task)
-	err = c.OnResponse(ctx, result)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Printf("Error on message callback: %v", err)
+	if !c.opts.enableWorkerPool {
+		result := c.ProcessTask(ctx, &task)
+		err = c.OnResponse(ctx, result)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Error on message callback: %v", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	// Add the task to the worker pool
+	if err := c.pool.AddTask(ctx, &task); err != nil {
+		c.sendDenyMessage(ctx, taskID, msg.Queue, err)
+		return
 	}
 }
 
@@ -120,6 +154,17 @@ func (c *Consumer) OnResponse(ctx context.Context, result Result) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (c *Consumer) sendDenyMessage(ctx context.Context, taskID, queue string, err error) {
+	headers := WithHeaders(ctx, map[string]string{
+		consts.ConsumerKey: c.id,
+		consts.ContentType: consts.TypeJson,
+	})
+	reply := codec.NewMessage(consts.MESSAGE_DENY, []byte(fmt.Sprintf(`{"id":"%s", "error":"%s"}`, taskID, err.Error())), queue, headers)
+	if sendErr := c.send(c.conn, reply); sendErr != nil {
+		log.Printf("failed to send MESSAGE_DENY for task %s: %v", taskID, sendErr)
+	}
+}
+
 // ProcessTask handles a received task message and invokes the appropriate handler.
 func (c *Consumer) ProcessTask(ctx context.Context, msg *Task) Result {
 	result := c.handler(ctx, msg)
@@ -171,10 +216,11 @@ func (c *Consumer) Consume(ctx context.Context) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
+	c.pool = NewPool(c.opts.numOfWorkers, c.opts.queueSize, c.opts.maxMemoryLoad, c.ProcessTask, c.OnResponse, c.conn)
 	if err := c.subscribe(ctx, c.queue); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to server for queue %s: %v", c.queue, err)
 	}
+	c.pool.Start(c.opts.numOfWorkers)
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
@@ -202,3 +248,53 @@ func (c *Consumer) waitForAck(conn net.Conn) error {
 	}
 	return fmt.Errorf("expected SUBSCRIBE_ACK, got: %v", msg.Command)
 }
+
+// Additional methods for Pause, Resume, and Stop
+
+func (c *Consumer) Pause() error {
+	if err := c.sendPauseMessage(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	c.pool.Pause()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *Consumer) sendPauseMessage() error {
+	headers := WithHeaders(context.Background(), map[string]string{
+		consts.ConsumerKey: c.id,
+	})
+	msg := codec.NewMessage(consts.CONSUMER_PAUSED, nil, c.queue, headers)
+	return c.send(c.conn, msg)
+}
+
+func (c *Consumer) Resume() error {
+	if err := c.sendResumeMessage(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	c.pool.Resume()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *Consumer) sendResumeMessage() error {
+	headers := WithHeaders(context.Background(), map[string]string{
+		consts.ConsumerKey: c.id,
+	})
+	msg := codec.NewMessage(consts.CONSUMER_RESUMED, nil, c.queue, headers)
+	return c.send(c.conn, msg)
+}
+
+func (c *Consumer) Stop() error {
+	if err := c.sendStopMessage(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	c.pool.Stop()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *Consumer) sendStopMessage() error {
+	headers := WithHeaders(context.Background(), map[string]string{
+		consts.ConsumerKey: c.id,
+	})
+	msg := codec.NewMessage(consts.CONSUMER_STOPPED, nil, c.queue, headers)
+	return c.send(c.conn, msg)
+}
diff --git a/dag/dag.go b/dag/dag.go
index 057ed88..70b7a4d 100644
--- a/dag/dag.go
+++ b/dag/dag.go
@@ -4,12 +4,13 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
-	"github.com/oarkflow/xid"
 	"log"
 	"net/http"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/oarkflow/xid"
+
 	"github.com/oarkflow/mq"
 )
 
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@ type DAG struct {
 	taskContext map[string]*TaskManager
 	conditions  map[string]map[string]string
 	mu          sync.RWMutex
+	paused      bool
+	opts        []mq.Option
 }
 
 func NewDAG(opts ...mq.Option) *DAG {
@@ -59,6 +62,7 @@ func NewDAG(opts ...mq.Option) *DAG {
 	}
 	opts = append(opts, mq.WithCallback(d.onTaskCallback), mq.WithConsumerOnSubscribe(d.onConsumerJoin), mq.WithConsumerOnClose(d.onConsumerClose))
 	d.server = mq.NewBroker(opts...)
+	d.opts = opts
 	return d
 }
 
@@ -95,10 +99,13 @@ func (tm *DAG) Start(ctx context.Context, addr string) error {
 			if con.isReady {
 				go func(con *Node) {
 					time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
-					con.consumer.Consume(ctx)
+					err := con.consumer.Consume(ctx)
+					if err != nil {
+						panic(err)
+					}
 				}(con)
 			} else {
-				log.Printf("[WARNING] - %s is not ready yet", con.Key)
+				log.Printf("[WARNING] - Consumer %s is not ready yet", con.Key)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -114,7 +121,7 @@ func (tm *DAG) Start(ctx context.Context, addr string) error {
 func (tm *DAG) AddNode(key string, handler mq.Handler, firstNode ...bool) {
 	tm.mu.Lock()
 	defer tm.mu.Unlock()
-	con := mq.NewConsumer(key, key, handler)
+	con := mq.NewConsumer(key, key, handler, tm.opts...)
 	tm.Nodes[key] = &Node{
 		Key:      key,
 		consumer: con,
@@ -176,8 +183,11 @@ func (tm *DAG) AddEdge(from, to string, edgeTypes ...EdgeType) {
 }
 
 func (tm *DAG) ProcessTask(ctx context.Context, payload []byte) mq.Result {
+	if tm.paused {
+		return mq.Result{Error: fmt.Errorf("unable to process task, error: DAG is not accepting any task")}
+	}
 	if !tm.IsReady() {
-		return mq.Result{Error: fmt.Errorf("DAG is not ready yet")}
+		return mq.Result{Error: fmt.Errorf("unable to process task, error: DAG is not ready yet")}
 	}
 	val := ctx.Value("initial_node")
 	initialNode, ok := val.(string)
@@ -226,3 +236,27 @@ func (tm *DAG) FindInitialNode() *Node {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+func (tm *DAG) Pause() {
+	tm.paused = true
+	log.Printf("DAG - PAUSED")
+}
+
+func (tm *DAG) Resume() {
+	tm.paused = false
+	log.Printf("DAG - RESUMED")
+}
+
+func (tm *DAG) PauseConsumer(id string) {
+	if node, ok := tm.Nodes[id]; ok {
+		node.consumer.Pause()
+		node.isReady = false
+	}
+}
+
+func (tm *DAG) ResumeConsumer(id string) {
+	if node, ok := tm.Nodes[id]; ok {
+		node.consumer.Resume()
+		node.isReady = true
+	}
+}
diff --git a/examples/dag.go b/examples/dag.go
index f095153..ffa46c5 100644
--- a/examples/dag.go
+++ b/examples/dag.go
@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 var (
-	d = dag.NewDAG(mq.WithSyncMode(false), mq.WithNotifyResponse(tasks.NotifyResponse))
+	d = dag.NewDAG(
+		mq.WithNotifyResponse(tasks.NotifyResponse),
+		mq.WithWorkerPool(100, 4, 5000000),
+		mq.WithSecretKey([]byte("wKWa6GKdBd0njDKNQoInBbh6P0KTjmob")),
+	)
 	// d = dag.NewDAG(mq.WithSyncMode(true), mq.WithTLS(true, "./certs/server.crt", "./certs/server.key"), mq.WithCAPath("./certs/ca.cert"))
 )
 
@@ -34,6 +38,24 @@ func main() {
 	d.AddEdge("E", "F")
 	http.HandleFunc("POST /publish", requestHandler("publish"))
 	http.HandleFunc("POST /request", requestHandler("request"))
+	http.HandleFunc("/pause-consumer/{id}", func(writer http.ResponseWriter, request *http.Request) {
+		id := request.PathValue("id")
+		if id != "" {
+			d.PauseConsumer(id)
+		}
+	})
+	http.HandleFunc("/resume-consumer/{id}", func(writer http.ResponseWriter, request *http.Request) {
+		id := request.PathValue("id")
+		if id != "" {
+			d.ResumeConsumer(id)
+		}
+	})
+	http.HandleFunc("/pause", func(writer http.ResponseWriter, request *http.Request) {
+		d.Pause()
+	})
+	http.HandleFunc("/resume", func(writer http.ResponseWriter, request *http.Request) {
+		d.Resume()
+	})
 	err := d.Start(context.TODO(), ":8083")
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
diff --git a/examples/hmac.go b/examples/hmac.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e37da79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/hmac.go
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+)
+
+func GenerateSecretKey() (string, error) {
+	// Create a byte slice to hold 32 random bytes
+	key := make([]byte, 32)
+
+	// Fill the slice with secure random bytes
+	_, err := rand.Read(key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Encode the byte slice to a Base64 string
+	secretKey := base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(key)
+
+	// Return the first 32 characters
+	return secretKey[:32], nil
+}
+
+func main() {
+	secretKey, err := GenerateSecretKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Error generating secret key: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println("Generated Secret Key:", secretKey)
+}
diff --git a/examples/tasks/tasks.go b/examples/tasks/tasks.go
index 670c408..38764b3 100644
--- a/examples/tasks/tasks.go
+++ b/examples/tasks/tasks.go
@@ -9,17 +9,19 @@ import (
 	"github.com/oarkflow/mq"
 )
 
-func Node1(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+func Node1(_ context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+	fmt.Println("Node 1", string(task.Payload))
 	return mq.Result{Payload: task.Payload, TaskID: task.ID}
 }
 
-func Node2(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+func Node2(_ context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+	fmt.Println("Node 2", string(task.Payload))
 	return mq.Result{Payload: task.Payload, TaskID: task.ID}
 }
 
-func Node3(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+func Node3(_ context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
 	var user map[string]any
-	json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
 	age := int(user["age"].(float64))
 	status := "FAIL"
 	if age > 20 {
@@ -30,34 +32,34 @@ func Node3(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
 	return mq.Result{Payload: resultPayload, Status: status}
 }
 
-func Node4(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+func Node4(_ context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
 	var user map[string]any
-	json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
 	user["final"] = "D"
 	resultPayload, _ := json.Marshal(user)
 	return mq.Result{Payload: resultPayload}
 }
 
-func Node5(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+func Node5(_ context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
 	var user map[string]any
-	json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
 	user["salary"] = "E"
 	resultPayload, _ := json.Marshal(user)
 	return mq.Result{Payload: resultPayload}
 }
 
-func Node6(ctx context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
+func Node6(_ context.Context, task *mq.Task) mq.Result {
 	var user map[string]any
-	json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(task.Payload, &user)
 	resultPayload, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"storage": user})
 	return mq.Result{Payload: resultPayload}
 }
 
-func Callback(ctx context.Context, task mq.Result) mq.Result {
+func Callback(_ context.Context, task mq.Result) mq.Result {
 	fmt.Println("Received task", task.TaskID, "Payload", string(task.Payload), task.Error, task.Topic)
 	return mq.Result{}
 }
 
-func NotifyResponse(ctx context.Context, result mq.Result) {
-	log.Printf("DAG Final response: TaskID: %s, Payload: %s, Topic: %s", result.TaskID, result.Payload, result.Topic)
+func NotifyResponse(_ context.Context, result mq.Result) {
+	log.Printf("DAG - FINAL_RESPONSE ~> TaskID: %s, Payload: %s, Topic: %s", result.TaskID, result.Payload, result.Topic)
 }
diff --git a/options.go b/options.go
index 0e509b3..5899e15 100644
--- a/options.go
+++ b/options.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"runtime"
 	"time"
 )
 
@@ -72,17 +73,22 @@ type Options struct {
 	hmacKey             json.RawMessage
 	enableEncryption    bool
 	queueSize           int
+	numOfWorkers        int
+	maxMemoryLoad       int64
+	enableWorkerPool    bool
 }
 
 func defaultOptions() Options {
 	return Options{
-		syncMode:      false,
 		brokerAddr:    ":8080",
 		maxRetries:    5,
 		initialDelay:  2 * time.Second,
 		maxBackoff:    20 * time.Second,
 		jitterPercent: 0.5,
 		queueSize:     100,
+		hmacKey:       []byte(`a9f4b9415485b70275673b5920182796ea497b5e093ead844a43ea5d77cbc24f`),
+		numOfWorkers:  runtime.NumCPU(),
+		maxMemoryLoad: 5000000,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -103,6 +109,15 @@ func WithNotifyResponse(handler func(ctx context.Context, result Result)) Option
 	}
 }
 
+func WithWorkerPool(queueSize, numOfWorkers int, maxMemoryLoad int64) Option {
+	return func(opts *Options) {
+		opts.enableWorkerPool = true
+		opts.queueSize = queueSize
+		opts.numOfWorkers = numOfWorkers
+		opts.maxMemoryLoad = maxMemoryLoad
+	}
+}
+
 func WithConsumerOnSubscribe(handler func(ctx context.Context, topic, consumerName string)) Option {
 	return func(opts *Options) {
 		opts.consumerOnSubscribe = handler
@@ -115,11 +130,16 @@ func WithConsumerOnClose(handler func(ctx context.Context, topic, consumerName s
 	}
 }
 
-func WithEncryption(aesKey, hmacKey json.RawMessage, enableEncryption bool) Option {
+func WithSecretKey(aesKey json.RawMessage) Option {
 	return func(opts *Options) {
 		opts.aesKey = aesKey
+		opts.enableEncryption = true
+	}
+}
+
+func WithHMACKey(hmacKey json.RawMessage) Option {
+	return func(opts *Options) {
 		opts.hmacKey = hmacKey
-		opts.enableEncryption = enableEncryption
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/utils/encrypt.go b/utils/encrypt.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c4d958
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/encrypt.go
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package utils
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+func GenerateHMACKey(length int) (string, error) {
+	key := make([]byte, length)
+	_, err := rand.Read(key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to generate random key: %v", err)
+	}
+	return hex.EncodeToString(key), nil
+}
+
+func MustGenerateHMACKey(length int) string {
+	key, err := GenerateHMACKey(length)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	return key
+}
+
+func GenerateSecretKey(length int) (string, error) {
+	key := make([]byte, length)
+	_, err := rand.Read(key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	secretKey := base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(key)
+	return secretKey[:length], nil
+}
+
+func MustGenerateSecretKey(length int) string {
+	key, err := GenerateSecretKey(length)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	return key
+}