diff --git a/apis/rust/node/src/lib.rs b/apis/rust/node/src/lib.rs
index 21aa79ef..168611c6 100644
--- a/apis/rust/node/src/lib.rs
+++ b/apis/rust/node/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use communication::CommunicationLayer;
 use config::{CommunicationConfig, DataId, NodeId, NodeRunConfig};
 use eyre::WrapErr;
-use futures::{stream::FuturesUnordered, StreamExt};
+use futures::{stream::FuturesUnordered, FutureExt, StreamExt};
 use futures_concurrency::Merge;
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 
@@ -84,7 +84,12 @@ impl DoraNode {
                 .wrap_err_with(|| format!("failed to subscribe on {topic}"))?;
             stop_messages.push(sub.into_future());
         }
-        let finished = Box::pin(stop_messages.all(|_| async { true }));
+        let node_id = self.id.clone();
+        let finished = Box::pin(
+            stop_messages
+                .all(|_| async { true })
+                .map(move |_| println!("all inputs finished for node {node_id}")),
+        );
 
         Ok(streams.merge().take_until(finished))
     }
@@ -121,8 +126,12 @@ impl Drop for DoraNode {
             .communication
             .publish_sync(&topic, &[])
             .wrap_err_with(|| format!("failed to send stop message for source `{self_id}`"));
-        if let Err(err) = result {
-            tracing::error!("{err}")
+        match result {
+            Ok(()) => println!("sent stop message for {self_id}"),
+            Err(err) => {
+                println!("error sending stop message for {self_id}: {err:?}");
+                tracing::error!("{err:?}")
+            }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/apis/rust/operator/src/lib.rs b/apis/rust/operator/src/lib.rs
index f9415fb0..efcf6ac4 100644
--- a/apis/rust/operator/src/lib.rs
+++ b/apis/rust/operator/src/lib.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,13 @@ pub trait DoraOperator: Default {
         id: &str,
         data: &[u8],
         output_sender: &mut DoraOutputSender,
-    ) -> Result<(), ()>;
+    ) -> Result<DoraStatus, ()>;
+}
+
+#[repr(isize)]
+pub enum DoraStatus {
+    Continue = 0,
+    Stop = 1,
 }
 
 pub struct DoraOutputSender {
diff --git a/apis/rust/operator/src/raw.rs b/apis/rust/operator/src/raw.rs
index 95361efb..c270537f 100644
--- a/apis/rust/operator/src/raw.rs
+++ b/apis/rust/operator/src/raw.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ pub unsafe fn dora_on_input<O: DoraOperator>(
     let operator: &mut O = unsafe { &mut *operator_context.cast() };
 
     match operator.on_input(id, data, &mut output_sender) {
-        Ok(()) => 0,
+        Ok(status) => status as isize,
         Err(_) => -1,
     }
 }
diff --git a/binaries/coordinator/examples/mini-dataflow.yml b/binaries/coordinator/examples/mini-dataflow.yml
index 6723bf9b..087a6500 100644
--- a/binaries/coordinator/examples/mini-dataflow.yml
+++ b/binaries/coordinator/examples/mini-dataflow.yml
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ nodes:
 
   - id: python-operator
     operator:
-      python: ../../examples/python-operator/op.py
+      python: ../../examples/python-operator/op2.py
       inputs:
         time: timer/time
-        dora_time: dora/timer/millis/500
+        dora_time: dora/timer/millis/50
       outputs:
         - counter
diff --git a/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/rate_limit.rs b/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/rate_limit.rs
index 4b581f13..3b3c2cea 100644
--- a/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/rate_limit.rs
+++ b/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/rate_limit.rs
@@ -46,5 +46,7 @@ async fn main() -> eyre::Result<()> {
         }
     }
 
+    println!("rate limit finished");
+
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/sink_logger.rs b/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/sink_logger.rs
index 8eb7d40c..cb499ba1 100644
--- a/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/sink_logger.rs
+++ b/binaries/coordinator/examples/nodes/rust/sink_logger.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ async fn main() -> eyre::Result<()> {
     let mut last_timestamp = None;
 
     loop {
-        let timeout = Duration::from_secs(2);
+        let timeout = Duration::from_secs(5);
         let input = match tokio::time::timeout(timeout, inputs.next()).await {
             Ok(Some(input)) => input,
             Ok(None) => break,
diff --git a/binaries/coordinator/src/main.rs b/binaries/coordinator/src/main.rs
index 094c5ff3..c3a972a2 100644
--- a/binaries/coordinator/src/main.rs
+++ b/binaries/coordinator/src/main.rs
@@ -100,11 +100,10 @@ async fn run_dataflow(dataflow_path: PathBuf, runtime: &Path) -> eyre::Result<()
     }
 
     for interval in dora_timers {
-        let communication = communication.clone();
-        let task = tokio::spawn(async move {
-            let communication = communication::init(&communication)
-                .await
-                .wrap_err("failed to init communication layer")?;
+        let communication = communication::init(&communication)
+            .await
+            .wrap_err("failed to init communication layer")?;
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
             let topic = {
                 let duration = format_duration(interval);
                 format!("dora/timer/{duration}")
@@ -112,13 +111,9 @@ async fn run_dataflow(dataflow_path: PathBuf, runtime: &Path) -> eyre::Result<()
             let mut stream = IntervalStream::new(tokio::time::interval(interval));
             while (stream.next().await).is_some() {
                 let publish = communication.publish(&topic, &[]);
-                publish
-                    .await
-                    .wrap_err("failed to publish timer tick message")?;
+                publish.await.expect("failed to publish timer tick message");
             }
-            Ok(())
         });
-        tasks.push(task);
     }
 
     while let Some(task_result) = tasks.next().await {
diff --git a/binaries/runtime/src/main.rs b/binaries/runtime/src/main.rs
index 27f25b23..ce938613 100644
--- a/binaries/runtime/src/main.rs
+++ b/binaries/runtime/src/main.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use futures::{
 use futures_concurrency::Merge;
 use operator::{Operator, OperatorEvent};
 use std::{
-    collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap},
+    collections::{BTreeMap, BTreeSet, HashMap},
     mem,
     pin::Pin,
 };
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ async fn main() -> eyre::Result<()> {
     };
 
     let mut operator_map = BTreeMap::new();
+    let mut stopped_operators = BTreeSet::new();
     let mut operator_events = StreamMap::new();
     let mut operator_events_tx = HashMap::new();
     for operator_config in &operators {
@@ -72,15 +73,19 @@ async fn main() -> eyre::Result<()> {
         match event {
             Event::External(event) => match event {
                 SubscribeEvent::Input(input) => {
-                    let operator =
-                        operator_map
-                            .get_mut(&input.target_operator)
-                            .ok_or_else(|| {
-                                eyre!(
+                    let operator = match operator_map.get_mut(&input.target_operator) {
+                        Some(op) => op,
+                        None => {
+                            if stopped_operators.contains(&input.target_operator) {
+                                continue; // operator was stopped already -> ignore input
+                            } else {
+                                bail!(
                                     "received input for unexpected operator `{}`",
                                     input.target_operator
-                                )
-                            })?;
+                                );
+                            }
+                        }
+                    };
 
                     operator
                         .handle_input(input.id.clone(), input.data)
@@ -92,14 +97,18 @@ async fn main() -> eyre::Result<()> {
                         })?;
                 }
                 SubscribeEvent::InputsStopped { target_operator } => {
-                    let events_tx = operator_events_tx.get(&target_operator).ok_or_else(|| {
-                        eyre!("failed to get events_tx for operator {target_operator}")
-                    })?;
-
-                    let events_tx = events_tx.clone();
-                    tokio::spawn(async move {
-                        let _ = events_tx.send(OperatorEvent::EndOfInput).await;
-                    });
+                    println!("all inputs finished for operator {node_id}/{target_operator}");
+                    match operator_map.get_mut(&target_operator) {
+                        Some(op) => op.close_input_stream(),
+                        None => {
+                            if !stopped_operators.contains(&target_operator) {
+                                bail!(
+                                    "received InputsStopped event for unknown operator `{}`",
+                                    target_operator
+                                );
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
             },
             Event::Operator { id, event } => {
@@ -119,9 +128,10 @@ async fn main() -> eyre::Result<()> {
                         bail!(err.wrap_err(format!("operator {id} failed")))
                     }
                     OperatorEvent::Panic(payload) => std::panic::resume_unwind(payload),
-                    OperatorEvent::EndOfInput => {
+                    OperatorEvent::Finished => {
                         if operator_map.remove(&id).is_some() {
                             println!("operator {node_id}/{id} finished");
+                            stopped_operators.insert(id.clone());
                             // send stopped message
                             publish(
                                 &node_id,
diff --git a/binaries/runtime/src/operator/mod.rs b/binaries/runtime/src/operator/mod.rs
index 580a239f..852334da 100644
--- a/binaries/runtime/src/operator/mod.rs
+++ b/binaries/runtime/src/operator/mod.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ mod python;
 mod shared_lib;
 
 pub struct Operator {
-    operator_task: Sender<OperatorInput>,
+    operator_task: Option<Sender<OperatorInput>>,
     definition: OperatorDefinition,
 }
 
@@ -41,13 +41,20 @@ impl Operator {
             }
         }
         Ok(Self {
-            operator_task,
+            operator_task: Some(operator_task),
             definition: operator_definition,
         })
     }
 
     pub fn handle_input(&mut self, id: DataId, value: Vec<u8>) -> eyre::Result<()> {
         self.operator_task
+            .as_mut()
+            .ok_or_else(|| {
+                eyre!(
+                    "input channel for {} was already closed",
+                    self.definition.id
+                )
+            })?
             .try_send(OperatorInput { id, value })
             .map_err(|err| match err {
                 tokio::sync::mpsc::error::TrySendError::Closed(_) => eyre!("operator crashed"),
@@ -55,6 +62,10 @@ impl Operator {
             })
     }
 
+    pub fn close_input_stream(&mut self) {
+        self.operator_task = None;
+    }
+
     /// Get a reference to the operator's definition.
     #[must_use]
     pub fn definition(&self) -> &OperatorDefinition {
@@ -66,7 +77,7 @@ pub enum OperatorEvent {
     Output { id: DataId, value: Vec<u8> },
     Error(eyre::Error),
     Panic(Box<dyn Any + Send>),
-    EndOfInput,
+    Finished,
 }
 
 pub struct OperatorInput {
diff --git a/binaries/runtime/src/operator/python.rs b/binaries/runtime/src/operator/python.rs
index 1d2184f7..b4f3ba29 100644
--- a/binaries/runtime/src/operator/python.rs
+++ b/binaries/runtime/src/operator/python.rs
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ pub fn spawn(
             Python::with_gil(init_operator).wrap_err("failed to init python operator")?;
 
         while let Some(input) = inputs.blocking_recv() {
-            Python::with_gil(|py| -> eyre::Result<_> {
+            let status_enum = Python::with_gil(|py| {
                 operator
                     .call_method1(
                         py,
@@ -89,6 +89,15 @@ pub fn spawn(
                     )
                     .map_err(traceback)
             })?;
+            let status_val = Python::with_gil(|py| status_enum.getattr(py, "value"))
+                .wrap_err("on_input must have enum return value")?;
+            let status: i32 = Python::with_gil(|py| status_val.extract(py))
+                .wrap_err("on_input has invalid return value")?;
+            match status {
+                0 => {}     // ok
+                1 => break, // stop
+                other => bail!("on_input returned invalid status {other}"),
+            }
         }
 
         Python::with_gil(|py| {
@@ -112,7 +121,9 @@ pub fn spawn(
         });
 
         match catch_unwind(closure) {
-            Ok(Ok(())) => {}
+            Ok(Ok(())) => {
+                let _ = events_tx.blocking_send(OperatorEvent::Finished);
+            }
             Ok(Err(err)) => {
                 let _ = events_tx.blocking_send(OperatorEvent::Error(err));
             }
diff --git a/binaries/runtime/src/operator/shared_lib.rs b/binaries/runtime/src/operator/shared_lib.rs
index fc338fff..1c84d248 100644
--- a/binaries/runtime/src/operator/shared_lib.rs
+++ b/binaries/runtime/src/operator/shared_lib.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@ pub fn spawn(
             operator.run()
         });
         match catch_unwind(closure) {
-            Ok(Ok(())) => {}
+            Ok(Ok(())) => {
+                let _ = events_tx.blocking_send(OperatorEvent::Finished);
+            }
             Ok(Err(err)) => {
                 let _ = events_tx.blocking_send(OperatorEvent::Error(err));
             }
@@ -95,8 +97,11 @@ impl<'lib> SharedLibraryOperator<'lib> {
                     operator_context.raw,
                 )
             };
-            if result != 0 {
-                bail!("on_input failed with error code {result}");
+            match result {
+                0 => {}     // DoraStatus::Continue
+                1 => break, // DoraStatus::Stop
+                -1 => bail!("on_input failed"),
+                other => bail!("on_input finished with unexpected exit code {other}"),
             }
         }
         Ok(())
diff --git a/examples/example-operator/src/lib.rs b/examples/example-operator/src/lib.rs
index 052fb4fc..e0b1a4ba 100644
--- a/examples/example-operator/src/lib.rs
+++ b/examples/example-operator/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #![warn(unsafe_op_in_unsafe_fn)]
 
-use dora_operator_api::{register_operator, DoraOperator, DoraOutputSender};
+use dora_operator_api::{register_operator, DoraOperator, DoraOutputSender, DoraStatus};
 
 register_operator!(ExampleOperator);
 
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ impl DoraOperator for ExampleOperator {
         id: &str,
         data: &[u8],
         output_sender: &mut DoraOutputSender,
-    ) -> Result<(), ()> {
+    ) -> Result<DoraStatus, ()> {
         match id {
             "time" => {
                 let parsed = std::str::from_utf8(data).map_err(|_| ())?;
@@ -35,6 +35,6 @@ impl DoraOperator for ExampleOperator {
             }
             other => eprintln!("ignoring unexpected input {other}"),
         }
-        Ok(())
+        Ok(DoraStatus::Continue)
     }
 }
diff --git a/examples/python-operator/op.py b/examples/python-operator/op.py
index afcfaa91..bffe8508 100644
--- a/examples/python-operator/op.py
+++ b/examples/python-operator/op.py
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 from typing import Callable
+from enum import Enum
 
+class DoraStatus(Enum):
+    CONTINUE = 0
+    STOP = 1
 
 class Operator:
     """
@@ -26,5 +30,7 @@ class Operator:
         """
         val_len = len(value)
         print(f"PYTHON received input {input_id}; value length: {val_len}")
-        send_output("counter", self.counter.to_bytes(1, "little"))
-        self.counter = (self.counter + 1) % 256
+        send_output("counter", (self.counter % 256).to_bytes(1, "little"))
+        self.counter = self.counter + 1
+
+        return DoraStatus.OK
diff --git a/examples/python-operator/op2.py b/examples/python-operator/op2.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0053b1a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/python-operator/op2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+from typing import Callable
+from enum import Enum
+
+class DoraStatus(Enum):
+    OK = 0
+    STOP = 1
+
+class Operator:
+    """
+    Example operator incrementing a counter every times its been called.
+
+    The current value of the counter is sent back to dora on `counter`.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, counter=0):
+        self.counter = counter
+
+    def on_input(
+        self,
+        input_id: str,
+        value: bytes,
+        send_output: Callable[[str, bytes], None],
+    ):
+        """Handle input by incrementing count by one.
+
+        Args:
+            input_id (str): Id of the input declared in the yaml configuration
+            value (bytes): Bytes message of the input
+            send_output (Callable[[str, bytes]]): Function enabling sending output back to dora.
+        """
+        val_len = len(value)
+        print(f"PYTHON received input {input_id}; value length: {val_len}")
+        send_output("counter", (self.counter % 256).to_bytes(1, "little"))
+        self.counter = self.counter + 1
+
+        if self.counter > 500:
+            return DoraStatus.STOP
+        else:
+            return DoraStatus.OK