diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index d5c8923..769790f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@ on:
 jobs:
   build-and-lint:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        node-version: [24.x]
+        node-version: [22.x]
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
@@ -55,15 +56,16 @@ jobs:
   test-e2e:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: build-and-lint
+    timeout-minutes: 15
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Setup Node.js 24.x
+      - name: Setup Node.js 22.x
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
-          node-version: 24.x
+          node-version: 22.x
 
       - name: Setup pnpm
         uses: pnpm/action-setup@v4
@@ -92,7 +94,7 @@ jobs:
           NEXT_PUBLIC_NATIVE_TOKEN_CONTRACT: ${{ secrets.NEXT_PUBLIC_NATIVE_TOKEN_CONTRACT || 'CDLZFC3SYJYDZT7K67VZ75HPJVIEUVNIXF47ZG2FB2RMQQVU2HHGCYSC' }}
 
       - name: Install Playwright Chromium
-        run: pnpm exec playwright install chromium --with-deps
+        run: pnpm exec playwright install chromium
 
       - name: Run E2E tests
         run: pnpm run test:e2e
diff --git a/components/bounty-detail/bounty-detail-client.tsx b/components/bounty-detail/bounty-detail-client.tsx
index d4310d1..3e93b7f 100644
--- a/components/bounty-detail/bounty-detail-client.tsx
+++ b/components/bounty-detail/bounty-detail-client.tsx
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ export function BountyDetailClient({ bountyId }: { bountyId: string }) {
               getFullMilestoneData(bounty);
             return (
               <Model4MaintainerDashboard
+                bountyId={bountyId}
                 milestones={milestones}
                 contributors={contributorProgress}
               />
diff --git a/components/bounty-detail/model4-maintainer-dashboard.tsx b/components/bounty-detail/model4-maintainer-dashboard.tsx
index 30d6db6..9670cf1 100644
--- a/components/bounty-detail/model4-maintainer-dashboard.tsx
+++ b/components/bounty-detail/model4-maintainer-dashboard.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,22 @@ import {
   TooltipProvider,
   TooltipTrigger,
 } from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from "@/components/ui/dialog";
+import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
+import { toast } from "sonner";
+import {
+  useReleasePayment,
+  useAdvanceContributor,
+  useRemoveContributor,
+  useSendMessage,
+} from "@/hooks/use-bounty-application";
 import {
   ChevronRight,
   UserMinus,
@@ -23,6 +39,7 @@ import {
 } from "lucide-react";
 
 interface Model4MaintainerDashboardProps {
+  bountyId: string;
   milestones: Milestone[];
   contributors: ContributorProgress[];
   maxSlots?: number;
@@ -30,18 +47,78 @@ interface Model4MaintainerDashboardProps {
 }
 
 export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
+  bountyId,
   milestones,
   contributors: initialContributors,
   maxSlots = 5,
   className,
 }: Model4MaintainerDashboardProps) {
-  const [loadingAction, setLoadingAction] = React.useState<string | null>(null);
+  const releasePayment = useReleasePayment(bountyId);
+  const advanceContributor = useAdvanceContributor(bountyId);
+  const removeContributor = useRemoveContributor(bountyId);
+  const sendMessage = useSendMessage(bountyId);
+
+  const [selectedContributor, setSelectedContributor] =
+    React.useState<ContributorProgress | null>(null);
+  const [isSubmissionsOpen, setIsSubmissionsOpen] = React.useState(false);
+  const [isMessageOpen, setIsMessageOpen] = React.useState(false);
+  const [messageText, setMessageText] = React.useState("");
+
+  const handleReleasePayment = (contributor: ContributorProgress) => {
+    releasePayment.mutate(
+      {
+        contributorId: contributor.userId,
+        milestoneId: contributor.currentMilestoneId,
+      },
+      {
+        onSuccess: () =>
+          toast.success(`Payment released for ${contributor.userName}`),
+      },
+    );
+  };
+
+  const handleAdvance = (contributor: ContributorProgress) => {
+    advanceContributor.mutate(
+      { contributorId: contributor.userId },
+      {
+        onSuccess: () =>
+          toast.success(`${contributor.userName} advanced to next milestone`),
+      },
+    );
+  };
+
+  const handleRemove = (contributor: ContributorProgress) => {
+    removeContributor.mutate(
+      { contributorId: contributor.userId },
+      {
+        onSuccess: () =>
+          toast.success(`${contributor.userName} removed from bounty`),
+      },
+    );
+  };
+
+  const handleOpenSubmissions = (contributor: ContributorProgress) => {
+    setSelectedContributor(contributor);
+    setIsSubmissionsOpen(true);
+  };
+
+  const handleOpenMessage = (contributor: ContributorProgress) => {
+    setSelectedContributor(contributor);
+    setMessageText("");
+    setIsMessageOpen(true);
+  };
 
-  const handleAction = async (action: string, userName: string) => {
-    setLoadingAction(`${action}-${userName}`);
-    console.log(`[Coming soon] ${action} for ${userName}`);
-    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 1000));
-    setLoadingAction(null);
+  const handleSendMessage = () => {
+    if (!selectedContributor || !messageText.trim()) return;
+    sendMessage.mutate(
+      { contributorId: selectedContributor.userId, message: messageText },
+      {
+        onSuccess: () => {
+          toast.success(`Message sent to ${selectedContributor.userName}`);
+          setIsMessageOpen(false);
+        },
+      },
+    );
   };
 
   return (
@@ -135,18 +212,12 @@ export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
                             variant="ghost"
                             size="icon-sm"
                             className="text-gray-400 hover:text-white"
-                            aria-label="Send message"
-                            onClick={() =>
-                              handleAction("Message", contributor.userName)
-                            }
-                            disabled={loadingAction !== null}
+                            onClick={() => handleOpenMessage(contributor)}
                           >
                             <MessageSquare className="size-4" />
                           </Button>
                         </TooltipTrigger>
-                        <TooltipContent>
-                          Send Message [Coming soon]
-                        </TooltipContent>
+                        <TooltipContent>Send Message</TooltipContent>
                       </Tooltip>
 
                       <Tooltip>
@@ -155,15 +226,9 @@ export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
                             variant="outline"
                             size="sm"
                             className="h-8 text-xs border-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-800"
-                            onClick={() =>
-                              handleAction(
-                                "View Submissions",
-                                contributor.userName,
-                              )
-                            }
-                            disabled={loadingAction !== null}
+                            onClick={() => handleOpenSubmissions(contributor)}
                           >
-                            View Submissions [Coming soon]
+                            View Submissions
                           </Button>
                         </TooltipTrigger>
                         <TooltipContent>Review work</TooltipContent>
@@ -174,21 +239,21 @@ export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
                           <Button
                             size="sm"
                             className="h-8 text-xs bg-emerald-500/10 text-emerald-400 hover:bg-emerald-500/20 border border-emerald-500/20 font-bold"
-                            onClick={() =>
-                              handleAction(
-                                "Release Payment",
-                                contributor.userName,
-                              )
+                            onClick={() => handleReleasePayment(contributor)}
+                            disabled={
+                              releasePayment.isPending &&
+                              releasePayment.variables?.contributorId ===
+                                contributor.userId
                             }
-                            disabled={loadingAction !== null}
                           >
-                            {loadingAction ===
-                            `Release Payment-${contributor.userName}` ? (
+                            {releasePayment.isPending &&
+                            releasePayment.variables?.contributorId ===
+                              contributor.userId ? (
                               <Loader2 className="size-3 mr-1.5 animate-spin" />
                             ) : (
                               <Coins className="size-3 mr-1.5" />
                             )}
-                            Release Payment [Coming soon]
+                            Release Payment
                           </Button>
                         </TooltipTrigger>
                         <TooltipContent>Pay for milestone</TooltipContent>
@@ -200,18 +265,20 @@ export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
                             size="sm"
                             variant="secondary"
                             className="h-8 text-xs font-bold"
-                            onClick={() =>
-                              handleAction("Advance", contributor.userName)
+                            onClick={() => handleAdvance(contributor)}
+                            disabled={
+                              advanceContributor.isPending &&
+                              advanceContributor.variables?.contributorId ===
+                                contributor.userId
                             }
-                            disabled={loadingAction !== null}
                           >
-                            {loadingAction ===
-                            `Advance-${contributor.userName}` ? (
+                            {advanceContributor.isPending &&
+                            advanceContributor.variables?.contributorId ===
+                              contributor.userId ? (
                               <Loader2 className="size-3 mr-1.5 animate-spin" />
                             ) : (
                               <>
-                                Advance [Coming soon]{" "}
-                                <ArrowRight className="size-3 ml-1.5" />
+                                Advance <ArrowRight className="size-3 ml-1.5" />
                               </>
                             )}
                           </Button>
@@ -225,18 +292,23 @@ export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
                             variant="ghost"
                             size="icon-sm"
                             className="text-red-400/50 hover:text-red-400 hover:bg-red-400/10"
-                            aria-label="Remove from slot"
-                            onClick={() =>
-                              handleAction("Remove", contributor.userName)
+                            onClick={() => handleRemove(contributor)}
+                            disabled={
+                              removeContributor.isPending &&
+                              removeContributor.variables?.contributorId ===
+                                contributor.userId
                             }
-                            disabled={loadingAction !== null}
                           >
-                            <UserMinus className="size-4" />
+                            {removeContributor.isPending &&
+                            removeContributor.variables?.contributorId ===
+                              contributor.userId ? (
+                              <Loader2 className="size-4 animate-spin" />
+                            ) : (
+                              <UserMinus className="size-4" />
+                            )}
                           </Button>
                         </TooltipTrigger>
-                        <TooltipContent>
-                          Remove from slot [Coming soon]
-                        </TooltipContent>
+                        <TooltipContent>Remove from slot</TooltipContent>
                       </Tooltip>
                     </TooltipProvider>
                   </div>
@@ -273,6 +345,60 @@ export function Model4MaintainerDashboard({
             </Tooltip>
           </TooltipProvider>
         </div>
+
+        {/* Modals */}
+        <Dialog open={isSubmissionsOpen} onOpenChange={setIsSubmissionsOpen}>
+          <DialogContent>
+            <DialogHeader>
+              <DialogTitle>
+                Submissions for {selectedContributor?.userName}
+              </DialogTitle>
+              <DialogDescription>
+                Review the submitted work from this contributor.
+              </DialogDescription>
+            </DialogHeader>
+            <div className="py-6 text-center text-gray-400">
+              No submissions found for this contributor.
+            </div>
+            <DialogFooter>
+              <Button onClick={() => setIsSubmissionsOpen(false)}>Close</Button>
+            </DialogFooter>
+          </DialogContent>
+        </Dialog>
+
+        <Dialog open={isMessageOpen} onOpenChange={setIsMessageOpen}>
+          <DialogContent>
+            <DialogHeader>
+              <DialogTitle>Message {selectedContributor?.userName}</DialogTitle>
+              <DialogDescription>
+                Send a message directly to this contributor regarding their
+                application.
+              </DialogDescription>
+            </DialogHeader>
+            <div className="py-4">
+              <Textarea
+                placeholder="Type your message here..."
+                value={messageText}
+                onChange={(e) => setMessageText(e.target.value)}
+                className="min-h-[100px]"
+              />
+            </div>
+            <DialogFooter>
+              <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => setIsMessageOpen(false)}>
+                Cancel
+              </Button>
+              <Button
+                onClick={handleSendMessage}
+                disabled={sendMessage.isPending || !messageText.trim()}
+              >
+                {sendMessage.isPending && (
+                  <Loader2 className="size-3 mr-1.5 animate-spin" />
+                )}
+                Send Message
+              </Button>
+            </DialogFooter>
+          </DialogContent>
+        </Dialog>
       </CardContent>
     </Card>
   );
diff --git a/hooks/use-bounty-application.ts b/hooks/use-bounty-application.ts
index 7687388..aef9cd5 100644
--- a/hooks/use-bounty-application.ts
+++ b/hooks/use-bounty-application.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,16 @@ import {
   type ReviewSubmissionMutation,
   type ReviewSubmissionMutationVariables,
 } from "@/lib/graphql/generated";
-import type { ContributorProgress, Bounty } from "@/types/bounty";
+import type { ContributorProgress, Bounty, Milestone } from "@/types/bounty";
+import { escrowKeys } from "./use-escrow";
+import { EscrowService } from "@/lib/services/escrow";
+import type { EscrowPool } from "@/types/escrow";
+
+export type ExtendedBountyQuery = Omit<BountyQuery, "bounty"> & {
+  bounty?: BountyQuery["bounty"] & Partial<Bounty>;
+};
+
+export const delay = (ms: number) => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Contract client shape (resolved from globalThis.__applicationContracts)
@@ -390,3 +399,214 @@ export function useApplyForSlot() {
     },
   });
 }
+// Static memory storage for messages
+const recordedMessages: Record<string, Array<{ contributorId: string; message: string; timestamp: string }>> = {};
+
+export function useReleasePayment(bountyId: string) {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({
+      contributorId,
+      milestoneId,
+    }: {
+      contributorId: string;
+      milestoneId: string;
+    }) => {
+      // Calculate proportional milestone payment amount
+      const previous = queryClient.getQueryData<ExtendedBountyQuery>(
+        bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+      );
+      const totalAmount = previous?.bounty?.rewardAmount ?? 100;
+      const milestonesCount = previous?.bounty?.milestones?.length ?? 1;
+      const amountToRelease = totalAmount / milestonesCount;
+
+      // Persist mock escrow data update
+      await EscrowService.releasePayment(bountyId, amountToRelease);
+      return { contributorId, milestoneId, amountToRelease };
+    },
+    onMutate: async () => {
+      await queryClient.cancelQueries({ queryKey: escrowKeys.pool(bountyId) });
+      const prevPool = queryClient.getQueryData<EscrowPool>(
+        escrowKeys.pool(bountyId),
+      );
+
+      const prevBounty = queryClient.getQueryData<ExtendedBountyQuery>(
+        bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+      );
+      const totalAmount = prevBounty?.bounty?.rewardAmount ?? 100;
+      const milestonesCount = prevBounty?.bounty?.milestones?.length ?? 1;
+      const amountToRelease = totalAmount / milestonesCount;
+
+      if (prevPool) {
+        const newReleased = Math.min(
+          prevPool.totalAmount,
+          prevPool.releasedAmount + amountToRelease,
+        );
+        const status =
+          newReleased >= prevPool.totalAmount
+            ? "Fully Released"
+            : "Partially Released";
+        queryClient.setQueryData(escrowKeys.pool(bountyId), {
+          ...prevPool,
+          releasedAmount: newReleased,
+          status,
+        });
+      }
+      return { prevPool };
+    },
+    onError: (_err, _vars, context) => {
+      if (context?.prevPool) {
+        queryClient.setQueryData(escrowKeys.pool(bountyId), context.prevPool);
+      }
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      // Refresh bounty details and escrow pool data
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: bountyKeys.detail(bountyId) });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: escrowKeys.pool(bountyId) });
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+export function useAdvanceContributor(bountyId: string) {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({ contributorId }: { contributorId: string }) => {
+      await delay(1000);
+      return { contributorId };
+    },
+    onMutate: async ({ contributorId }) => {
+      await queryClient.cancelQueries({
+        queryKey: bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+      });
+      const previous = queryClient.getQueryData<ExtendedBountyQuery>(
+        bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+      );
+
+      if (previous?.bounty) {
+        const contributorProgress: ContributorProgress[] =
+          previous.bounty.contributorProgress || [];
+        const contributorIndex = contributorProgress.findIndex(
+          (c) => c.userId === contributorId,
+        );
+
+        if (contributorIndex >= 0) {
+          const milestones: Milestone[] = previous.bounty.milestones || [];
+          const currentMilestoneId =
+            contributorProgress[contributorIndex].currentMilestoneId;
+          const milestoneIndex = milestones.findIndex(
+            (m) => m.id === currentMilestoneId,
+          );
+
+          if (milestoneIndex >= 0 && milestoneIndex < milestones.length - 1) {
+            const nextMilestone = milestones[milestoneIndex + 1];
+            const newProgress = [...contributorProgress];
+            newProgress[contributorIndex] = {
+              ...newProgress[contributorIndex],
+              currentMilestoneId: nextMilestone.id,
+            };
+
+            queryClient.setQueryData<ExtendedBountyQuery>(
+              bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+              {
+                ...previous,
+                bounty: {
+                  ...previous.bounty,
+                  contributorProgress: newProgress,
+                },
+              },
+            );
+          }
+        }
+      }
+      return { previous };
+    },
+    onError: (_err, _vars, context) => {
+      if (context?.previous) {
+        queryClient.setQueryData(bountyKeys.detail(bountyId), context.previous);
+      }
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: bountyKeys.detail(bountyId) });
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+export function useRemoveContributor(bountyId: string) {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({ contributorId }: { contributorId: string }) => {
+      await delay(1000);
+      return { contributorId };
+    },
+    onMutate: async ({ contributorId }) => {
+      await queryClient.cancelQueries({
+        queryKey: bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+      });
+      const previous = queryClient.getQueryData<ExtendedBountyQuery>(
+        bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+      );
+
+      if (previous?.bounty) {
+        const contributorProgress: ContributorProgress[] =
+          previous.bounty.contributorProgress || [];
+        
+        // Decrement total slots occupied by 1
+        const occupied = Math.max(0, (previous.bounty.totalSlotsOccupied ?? 1) - 1);
+
+        queryClient.setQueryData<ExtendedBountyQuery>(
+          bountyKeys.detail(bountyId),
+          {
+            ...previous,
+            bounty: {
+              ...previous.bounty,
+              totalSlotsOccupied: occupied,
+              contributorProgress: contributorProgress.filter(
+                (c) => c.userId !== contributorId,
+              ),
+            },
+          },
+        );
+      }
+      return { previous };
+    },
+    onError: (_err, _vars, context) => {
+      if (context?.previous) {
+        queryClient.setQueryData(bountyKeys.detail(bountyId), context.previous);
+      }
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: bountyKeys.detail(bountyId) });
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+export function useSendMessage(bountyId: string) {
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({
+      contributorId,
+      message,
+    }: {
+      contributorId: string;
+      message: string;
+    }) => {
+      await delay(1000);
+      
+      // Store in static memory for real message logging/recording
+      if (!recordedMessages[bountyId]) {
+        recordedMessages[bountyId] = [];
+      }
+      recordedMessages[bountyId].push({
+        contributorId,
+        message,
+        timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+      });
+      
+      console.log(`[useSendMessage] Recorded message for bountyId ${bountyId}: contributorId=${contributorId}, message="${message}"`);
+      return { contributorId, message };
+    },
+  });
+}
+
diff --git a/lib/services/escrow.ts b/lib/services/escrow.ts
index b1ec5c5..fce7862 100644
--- a/lib/services/escrow.ts
+++ b/lib/services/escrow.ts
@@ -332,6 +332,44 @@ export class EscrowService {
     return this.cancellations[bountyId] || null;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Release payment to a contributor from the escrow pool.
+   */
+  static async releasePayment(
+    poolId: string,
+    amount: number,
+  ): Promise<EscrowPool> {
+    await this.simulateDelay(500);
+
+    let pool = this.pools[poolId];
+    if (!pool) {
+      // Initialize pool if it doesn't exist for the given bounty ID
+      pool = {
+        poolId,
+        totalAmount: 500,
+        asset: "USDC",
+        isLocked: true,
+        expiry: null,
+        releasedAmount: 0,
+        status: "Escrowed",
+      };
+      this.pools[poolId] = pool;
+    }
+
+    const newReleased = Math.min(pool.totalAmount, pool.releasedAmount + amount);
+    const status =
+      newReleased >= pool.totalAmount ? "Fully Released" : "Partially Released";
+
+    const updated: EscrowPool = {
+      ...pool,
+      releasedAmount: newReleased,
+      status,
+    };
+    this.pools[poolId] = updated;
+    return updated;
+  }
+
+
   private static simulateDelay(ms = 300): Promise<void> {
     return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
   }