# `Squidie.Executor.Payload`
[🔗](https://github.com/dark-trench/squidie/blob/main/lib/squidie/executor/payload.ex#L1)

Backend-neutral cron payloads that host schedulers can hand to their queue.

Payloads are plain maps with string keys so host applications can store them
in job systems without depending on Squidie structs or atoms. A queued job
should deliver the stored payload back to `Squidie.Runtime.Runner.perform/2`;
the runner is responsible for loading the workflow definition and applying the
runtime rules.

Cron payloads identify a workflow trigger activation that will create a new
run when delivered. Cron payloads may also include scheduler metadata such as
a stable signal id and intended schedule window. That metadata is not workflow
input; the runtime persists it under `run.context.schedule` before dispatching
the first workflow step.

# `t`

```elixir
@type t() :: %{required(String.t()) => String.t() | boolean() | map()}
```

# `cron`

```elixir
@spec cron(module(), atom() | String.t(), keyword()) :: t()
```

Builds the cron payload for a trigger activation.

`workflow` and `trigger` are serialized into strings so the payload can cross
a queue boundary. When the job is delivered, the runtime loads the workflow
definition, validates the trigger, resolves trigger payload defaults, persists
a new run, and dispatches the first step.

Supported options:

- `:signal_id` - a stable scheduler signal id for this activation. When it is
  omitted, Squidie derives a deterministic id from the trigger and intended
  window if both window bounds are present; otherwise the signal id is omitted
  so the missing scheduler identity is explicit.
- `:intended_window` - a map describing the logical schedule window the
  scheduler meant to run, usually `%{start_at: iso8601, end_at: iso8601}`.

The intended window is distinct from the worker execution time. If a cron job
is delayed, retried, or delivered after a restart, steps should use
`context.state.schedule.intended_window` instead of `DateTime.utc_now/0` to
understand the scheduled period being processed.

---

*Consult [api-reference.md](api-reference.md) for complete listing*