diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7260e66..12a5d61 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -213,6 +213,7 @@ The daemon automatically creates `~/.config/hyprvoice/config.toml` with helpful
   buffer_size = 8192           # Internal buffer size in bytes (larger = less CPU, more latency)
   device = ""                  # PipeWire audio device (empty = use default microphone)
   channel_buffer_size = 30     # Audio frame buffer size (frames to buffer)
+  timeout = "5m"               # Maximum recording duration (e.g., "30s", "2m", "5m")
 
 # Speech Transcription Configuration
 [transcription]
@@ -257,8 +258,15 @@ format = "s16"             # Audio format (s16 recommended)
 buffer_size = 8192         # Internal buffer size in bytes
 device = ""                # PipeWire device (empty for default)
 channel_buffer_size = 30   # Audio frame buffer size
+timeout = "5m"             # Maximum recording duration (prevents runaway recordings)
 ```
 
+**Recording Timeout:**
+- Prevents accidental long recordings that could consume resources
+- Default: 5 minutes (`"5m"`)
+- Format: Go duration strings like `"30s"`, `"2m"`, `"10m"`
+- Recording automatically stops when timeout is reached
+
 #### Text Injection
 
 Configurable text injection with multiple modes:
diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index 8e36a6d..9421c7b 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -21,12 +21,13 @@ type Config struct {
 }
 
 type RecordingConfig struct {
-	SampleRate        int    `toml:"sample_rate"`
-	Channels          int    `toml:"channels"`
-	Format            string `toml:"format"`
-	BufferSize        int    `toml:"buffer_size"`
-	Device            string `toml:"device"`
-	ChannelBufferSize int    `toml:"channel_buffer_size"`
+	SampleRate        int           `toml:"sample_rate"`
+	Channels          int           `toml:"channels"`
+	Format            string        `toml:"format"`
+	BufferSize        int           `toml:"buffer_size"`
+	Device            string        `toml:"device"`
+	ChannelBufferSize int           `toml:"channel_buffer_size"`
+	Timeout           time.Duration `toml:"timeout"`
 }
 
 type TranscriptionConfig struct {
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ func (c *Config) ToRecordingConfig() recording.Config {
 		BufferSize:        c.Recording.BufferSize,
 		Device:            c.Recording.Device,
 		ChannelBufferSize: c.Recording.ChannelBufferSize,
+		Timeout:           c.Recording.Timeout,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -100,6 +102,9 @@ func (c *Config) Validate() error {
 	if c.Recording.Format == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("invalid recording.format: empty")
 	}
+	if c.Recording.Timeout <= 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid recording.timeout: %v", c.Recording.Timeout)
+	}
 
 	// Transcription
 	if c.Transcription.Provider == "" {
@@ -228,6 +233,7 @@ func SaveDefaultConfig() error {
   buffer_size = 8192           # Internal buffer size in bytes (larger = less CPU, more latency)
   device = ""                  # PipeWire audio device (empty = use default microphone)
   channel_buffer_size = 30     # Audio frame buffer size (frames to buffer)
+  timeout = "5m"               # Maximum recording duration (e.g., "30s", "2m", "5m")
 
 # Speech Transcription Configuration  
 [transcription]
diff --git a/internal/pipeline/pipeline.go b/internal/pipeline/pipeline.go
index 1a74ce2..16aeee7 100644
--- a/internal/pipeline/pipeline.go
+++ b/internal/pipeline/pipeline.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"log"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/leonardotrapani/hyprvoice/internal/config"
 	"github.com/leonardotrapani/hyprvoice/internal/injection"
@@ -68,7 +67,7 @@ func (p *pipeline) Run(ctx context.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	runCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 5*time.Minute)
+	runCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, p.config.Recording.Timeout)
 	p.setCancel(cancel)
 
 	p.wg.Add(1)
diff --git a/internal/recording/recording.go b/internal/recording/recording.go
index cf30cea..a378e62 100644
--- a/internal/recording/recording.go
+++ b/internal/recording/recording.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	BufferSize        int
 	Device            string
 	ChannelBufferSize int
+	Timeout           time.Duration
 }
 
 type Recorder struct {