diff --git a/crates/develop/src/settings.rs b/crates/develop/src/settings.rs
index a40f094c2..0064a4f81 100644
--- a/crates/develop/src/settings.rs
+++ b/crates/develop/src/settings.rs
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ pub struct DevelopSettings {
     pub orientation: Orientation,
     pub masks: Vec<Mask>,
     pub spots: Vec<Spot>,
+    /// Red eye corrections; the first [`MAX_RED_EYES`] render.
     pub red_eye: Vec<RedEye>,
     pub lens_blur: LensBlur,
     pub enhance: Enhance,
@@ -1069,6 +1070,10 @@ impl Default for Spot {
     }
 }
 
+/// Most red eye / pet eye corrections a photo renders. Every output pixel goes through every eye, so render cost is
+/// pixels x eyes; a sidecar, preset or agent with thousands could stall a render for hours (issue #2556).
+pub const MAX_RED_EYES: usize = 64;
+
 /// A red eye / pet eye correction: the user's ellipse (centre normalized, radii as fractions of
 /// the long edge); the pupil inside it is found automatically.
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/masks.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/masks.rs
index 2fd44d566..6ec6d39f5 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/masks.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/masks.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 //! Masking and Remove (spot) commands on the active photo.
 
-use lightcraft_develop::{BrushStroke, LocalAdjustments, Mask, MaskComponent, MaskOp, MaskShape, RedEye, Spot, SpotMode};
+use lightcraft_develop::{BrushStroke, LocalAdjustments, MAX_RED_EYES, Mask, MaskComponent, MaskOp, MaskShape, RedEye, Spot, SpotMode};
 use lightcraft_geom::Point;
 use serde_json::{Value, json};
 
@@ -1025,6 +1025,9 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
                     catchlight: None,
                 };
                 let id = s.active().ok_or_else(|| bad(c, "no active photo"))?;
+                if s.develop_of(id).is_some_and(|d| d.red_eye.len() >= MAX_RED_EYES) {
+                    return Err(bad(c, format!("at most {MAX_RED_EYES} red eye corrections")));
+                }
                 let mut dd = (*s.develop_of(id).unwrap_or_default()).clone();
                 dd.red_eye.push(eye);
                 let n = dd.red_eye.len();
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/color.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/color.rs
index e526d4c47..af59f02be 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/color.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/color.rs
@@ -75,6 +75,12 @@ fn red_eye_commands_and_controls() {
     assert_eq!(active_dev(&s).red_eye.len(), 1);
     assert!(s.execute("redeye.delete", &json!({"index": 5})).is_err());
     assert!(s.execute("redeye.add", &json!({"rx": 0.03})).is_err());
+    // at most MAX_RED_EYES: every pixel goes through every eye (issue #2556)
+    while active_dev(&s).red_eye.len() < lightcraft_develop::MAX_RED_EYES {
+        s.execute("redeye.add", &json!({"center": [0.5, 0.5], "rx": 0.01, "ry": 0.01})).unwrap();
+    }
+    assert!(s.execute("redeye.add", &json!({"center": [0.5, 0.5], "rx": 0.01, "ry": 0.01})).is_err());
+    assert_eq!(active_dev(&s).red_eye.len(), lightcraft_develop::MAX_RED_EYES);
     let d = active_dev(&s);
     assert_eq!(lightcraft_develop::DevelopSettings::from_json(&d.to_json()).unwrap(), d);
 }
diff --git a/crates/pipeline/src/redeye.rs b/crates/pipeline/src/redeye.rs
index 3bad1d634..bb2944388 100644
--- a/crates/pipeline/src/redeye.rs
+++ b/crates/pipeline/src/redeye.rs
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ pub fn resolve(src: &Rgb32f, eyes: &[RedEye], orientation: Orientation, frame: &
     }
     let to_out = frame.norm_to_out(w, h);
     eyes.iter()
+        .take(lightcraft_develop::MAX_RED_EYES)
         .map(|e| {
             let p = detect(src, orientation, frame.ow, frame.oh, e);
             let r = (p.radius * (0.5 + e.pupil_size.clamp(0.0, 100.0) / 100.0)).min(e.rx.max(e.ry) * 1.1);
@@ -246,6 +247,16 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!detect(&plain, Orientation::Normal, 200.0, 100.0, &eye).found);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn at_most_max_red_eyes_render() {
+        // a sidecar, preset or agent can hold any number; each one costs a pass over every pixel (issue #2556)
+        let src = eye_image(40, 20, 18.0, 10.0, 2.0, [0.5, 0.04, 0.04]);
+        let s = lightcraft_develop::DevelopSettings { red_eye: vec![RedEye::default(); 10_000], ..Default::default() };
+        let frame = Frame::new(40, 20, &s, true);
+        let eyes = resolve(&src, &s.red_eye, Orientation::Normal, &frame, 40, 20, 40.0);
+        assert_eq!(eyes.len(), lightcraft_develop::MAX_RED_EYES);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn renders_fix_the_red_pupil_at_any_size() {
         use crate::{RenderRequest, SourceInfo, render};
diff --git a/docs/whats-new.md b/docs/whats-new.md
index c6c259200..d9d3cbba5 100644
--- a/docs/whats-new.md
+++ b/docs/whats-new.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # What's new in LightCraft
 
+## 2026-10-30
+
+### At most 64 red eye corrections per photo
+- Every pixel of a render goes through every red eye correction, so a sidecar, preset or agent with thousands of
+  them could stall a preview or export for hours. A photo now renders its first 64, and Red Eye refuses a 65th.
+
 ## 2026-10-24
 
 ### Relative-date filters and smart albums follow the clock