In one embodiment, a particular device along a path in a deterministic network receives a first packet sent from a source towards a destination via the path. The particular device sends the first packet to a next hop device along the path, according to a deterministic schedule associated with the first packet. The particular device determines, after sending the first packet, an action to be performed on the first packet. The particular device then sends a second packet to the next hop device indicative of the determined action. The second packet causes another device along the path to perform the action on the first packet.