Receive Task
A Receive Task waits for a message from an external participant or process. It pauses execution until the expected message arrives-equivalent to a Task with a Message Intermediate Catch Event.
What is a Receive Task?
A Receive Task is an activity that waits for an incoming message from an external source. The process pauses at this task until the expected message arrives, then continues with the received data available.
Visual Representation
A Receive Task displays a rounded rectangle containing an unfilled/outline envelope icon. The unfilled envelope indicates incoming message (receiving), contrasting with the filled envelope for sending.
Key Characteristics
- Wait state: Process pauses until message arrives
- Message correlation: Incoming messages are matched to waiting instances
- Data reception: Message payload becomes available to subsequent activities
- Shorthand notation: Equivalent to Task + Message Catch Event
Common Use Cases
Awaiting Approval
Wait for an approval response message from the manager before proceeding with order fulfillment.
Payment Confirmation
Pause until the payment gateway sends a confirmation message that funds were transferred.
External Callback
Wait for a callback message from an asynchronous service that is processing a request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related BPMN Elements
Try this element in Crismo
Create beautiful BPMN diagrams with our modern process modeling platform.