diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/test.yml b/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
index 6a7d608..43a4911 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
@@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ jobs:
             exit 1
           fi
 
-          # Run core cypress specs with timeouts
+          # Run core cypress specs with hard 3-minute timeout
           cd frontend
-          npx cypress run --spec "\
+          timeout 180 npx cypress run --spec "\
           cypress/e2e/recipe-detail.cy.js,\
           cypress/e2e/oil-reference.cy.js,\
           cypress/e2e/oil-data-integrity.cy.js,\
@@ -73,7 +73,12 @@ jobs:
 
           # Cleanup
           kill $BE_PID $FE_PID 2>/dev/null
+          pkill -f "Cypress" 2>/dev/null || true
           rm -f "$DB_FILE"
+          if [ $EXIT_CODE -eq 124 ]; then
+            echo "ERROR: Cypress timed out after 3 minutes"
+            exit 1
+          fi
           exit $EXIT_CODE
 
   build-check: