diff --git a/ruby/lib/ci/queue/configuration.rb b/ruby/lib/ci/queue/configuration.rb
index 73341a6b..d097f507 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/ci/queue/configuration.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/ci/queue/configuration.rb
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ class Configuration
       attr_accessor :requeue_tolerance, :namespace, :failing_test, :statsd_endpoint
       attr_accessor :max_test_duration, :max_test_duration_percentile, :track_test_duration
       attr_accessor :max_test_failed, :redis_ttl, :warnings_file, :debug_log, :max_missed_heartbeat_seconds
+      attr_writer :heartbeat_max_test_duration
       attr_accessor :lazy_load, :lazy_load_stream_batch_size
       attr_writer :lazy_load_streaming_timeout
       attr_accessor :lazy_load_test_helpers
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ def initialize(
         grind_count: nil, max_duration: nil, failure_file: nil, max_test_duration: nil,
         max_test_duration_percentile: 0.5, track_test_duration: false, max_test_failed: nil,
         queue_init_timeout: nil, redis_ttl: 8 * 60 * 60, report_timeout: nil, inactive_workers_timeout: nil,
-        export_flaky_tests_file: nil, warnings_file: nil, debug_log: nil, max_missed_heartbeat_seconds: nil,
+        export_flaky_tests_file: nil, warnings_file: nil, debug_log: nil, max_missed_heartbeat_seconds: nil, heartbeat_max_test_duration: nil,
         lazy_load: false, lazy_load_stream_batch_size: nil, lazy_load_streaming_timeout: nil, lazy_load_test_helpers: nil,
         skip_stale_tests: false)
         @build_id = build_id
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ def initialize(
         @warnings_file = warnings_file
         @debug_log = debug_log
         @max_missed_heartbeat_seconds = max_missed_heartbeat_seconds
+        @heartbeat_max_test_duration = heartbeat_max_test_duration
         @lazy_load = lazy_load
         @lazy_load_stream_batch_size = lazy_load_stream_batch_size || 5_000
         @lazy_load_streaming_timeout = lazy_load_streaming_timeout
@@ -153,6 +155,10 @@ def inactive_workers_timeout
         @inactive_workers_timeout || timeout
       end
 
+      def heartbeat_max_test_duration
+        @heartbeat_max_test_duration || (timeout * 10 if max_missed_heartbeat_seconds)
+      end
+
       def max_consecutive_failures=(max)
         if max
           @circuit_breakers << CircuitBreaker::MaxConsecutiveFailures.new(max_consecutive_failures: max)
diff --git a/ruby/lib/ci/queue/redis/base.rb b/ruby/lib/ci/queue/redis/base.rb
index 0ead2884..1efb2866 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/ci/queue/redis/base.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/ci/queue/redis/base.rb
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def reconnect_attempts
         def with_heartbeat(id, lease: nil)
           if heartbeat_enabled?
             ensure_heartbeat_thread_alive!
-            heartbeat_state.set(:tick, id, lease)
+            heartbeat_state.set(:tick, id, lease, Process.clock_gettime(Process::CLOCK_MONOTONIC))
           end
 
           yield
@@ -386,16 +386,32 @@ def heartbeat
           Thread.current.name = "CI::Queue#heartbeat"
           Thread.current.abort_on_exception = true
 
+          capped = false
+
           loop do
             command = heartbeat_state.wait(1) # waits for max 1 second but wakes up immediately if we receive a command
 
             case command&.first
             when :tick
-              # command = [:tick, entry_id, lease_id]
+              next if capped
+
+              max_duration = config.heartbeat_max_test_duration
+              if max_duration
+                # command = [:tick, entry_id, lease_id, started_at]
+                # Use the absolute start time from when with_heartbeat was called so that
+                # the elapsed calculation is not skewed by heartbeat thread startup delay.
+                elapsed = Process.clock_gettime(Process::CLOCK_MONOTONIC) - command[3]
+                if elapsed >= max_duration
+                  capped = true
+                  next
+                end
+              end
+
+              # command = [:tick, entry_id, lease_id, started_at]
               heartbeat_process.tick!(command[1], command[2])
             when :reset
               # Test finished, stop ticking until next test starts
-              nil
+              capped = false
             when :stop
               break
             end
diff --git a/ruby/lib/minitest/queue/runner.rb b/ruby/lib/minitest/queue/runner.rb
index 9fa58611..2a405ff1 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/minitest/queue/runner.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/minitest/queue/runner.rb
@@ -736,6 +736,16 @@ def parser
             queue_config.max_missed_heartbeat_seconds = time || 30
           end
 
+          help = <<~EOS
+            Maximum duration in seconds that the heartbeat will tick for a single test.
+            If a test runs longer than this, the heartbeat stops and the test entry becomes
+            eligible for reclamation by another worker.
+            Defaults to timeout * 10 when heartbeat is enabled.
+          EOS
+          opts.on("--heartbeat-max-test-duration SECONDS", Float, help) do |seconds|
+            queue_config.heartbeat_max_test_duration = seconds
+          end
+
 
           opts.on("-v", "--verbose", "Verbose. Show progress processing files.") do
             self.verbose = true
diff --git a/ruby/test/ci/queue/configuration_test.rb b/ruby/test/ci/queue/configuration_test.rb
index b39bc427..a6728577 100644
--- a/ruby/test/ci/queue/configuration_test.rb
+++ b/ruby/test/ci/queue/configuration_test.rb
@@ -200,5 +200,19 @@ def test_new_lazy_load_test_helpers_env
       assert_equal ["test/test_helper.rb", "test/support/helper.rb"], config.lazy_load_test_helper_paths
     end
 
+    def test_heartbeat_max_test_duration_defaults
+      # defaults to timeout*10 when heartbeat is enabled
+      config = Configuration.new(timeout: 5, max_missed_heartbeat_seconds: 1)
+      assert_equal 50, config.heartbeat_max_test_duration
+
+      # nil when heartbeat is disabled (no max_missed_heartbeat_seconds)
+      config = Configuration.new(timeout: 5)
+      assert_nil config.heartbeat_max_test_duration
+
+      # explicit value overrides the default
+      config = Configuration.new(timeout: 5, max_missed_heartbeat_seconds: 1, heartbeat_max_test_duration: 3)
+      assert_equal 3, config.heartbeat_max_test_duration
+    end
+
   end
 end
diff --git a/ruby/test/ci/queue/redis_test.rb b/ruby/test/ci/queue/redis_test.rb
index 18339a55..f3139582 100644
--- a/ruby/test/ci/queue/redis_test.rb
+++ b/ruby/test/ci/queue/redis_test.rb
@@ -496,6 +496,76 @@ def test_heartbeat_only_checks_lease
     assert_nil result
   end
 
+  def test_heartbeat_max_test_duration_stops_heartbeat
+    queue = worker(1, max_missed_heartbeat_seconds: 2, heartbeat_max_test_duration: 1, tests: [TEST_LIST.first], build_id: 'hb-cap')
+    queue.boot_heartbeat_process!
+
+    entry = nil
+    lease = nil
+    queue.poll do |test|
+      entry = test.queue_entry
+      lease = queue.lease_for(entry)
+
+      # Score should be updating while heartbeat ticks
+      queue.with_heartbeat(entry, lease: lease) do
+        sleep 0.5
+        score_while_ticking = @redis.zscore(queue.send(:key, 'running'), entry)
+        refute_nil score_while_ticking, "Entry should be in running set while heartbeat ticks"
+
+        # Sleep past the heartbeat cap (1s) + extra buffer
+        sleep 1.5
+
+        # After cap, score should have stopped updating.
+        # The entry should now be stale enough for reserve_lost to reclaim.
+        score_after_cap = @redis.zscore(queue.send(:key, 'running'), entry)
+        # Score should be frozen (not updated for >1s since cap at ~1s)
+        assert score_after_cap < CI::Queue.time_now.to_f - 1, "Score should be stale after heartbeat cap"
+      end
+
+      queue.acknowledge(entry)
+    end
+
+    refute_nil entry, "Test should have been reserved"
+  ensure
+    queue&.stop_heartbeat!
+  end
+
+  def test_heartbeat_cap_resets_between_tests
+    # Two slow tests; cap fires after 1s so the first one goes stale.
+    # After the first test finishes, :reset is sent and capped becomes false,
+    # so the heartbeat should resume ticking for the second test.
+    tests = TEST_LIST.first(2)
+    queue = worker(1, max_missed_heartbeat_seconds: 3, heartbeat_max_test_duration: 1, tests: tests, build_id: 'hb-reset')
+    queue.boot_heartbeat_process!
+
+    polled = []
+    queue.poll do |test|
+      entry = test.queue_entry
+      lease = queue.lease_for(entry)
+      polled << entry
+
+      queue.with_heartbeat(entry, lease: lease) do
+        if polled.size == 1
+          # Sleep past cap for first test — heartbeat stops ticking
+          sleep 2
+          score = @redis.zscore(queue.send(:key, 'running'), entry)
+          assert score < CI::Queue.time_now.to_f - 1, "First test score should be stale after cap"
+        else
+          # For second test, sleep briefly then verify score is fresh — reset worked
+          sleep 0.5
+          score = @redis.zscore(queue.send(:key, 'running'), entry)
+          assert score >= CI::Queue.time_now.to_f - 2, "Second test score should be fresh after cap reset"
+        end
+      end
+
+      queue.acknowledge(entry)
+    end
+
+    assert_equal 2, polled.size, "Both tests should have been polled"
+  ensure
+    queue&.stop_heartbeat!
+  end
+
   def test_resolve_entry_falls_back_to_resolver
     queue = worker(1, populate: false)
     queue.instance_variable_set(:@index, { 'ATest#test_foo' => :ok })
diff --git a/ruby/test/fixtures/test/consecutive_capped_tests.rb b/ruby/test/fixtures/test/consecutive_capped_tests.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ee9e8dad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ruby/test/fixtures/test/consecutive_capped_tests.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require 'test_helper'
+
+CI::Queue::Redis.max_sleep_time = 0.05
+
+# Fixture for test_heartbeat_cap_resets_between_tests.
+#
+# test_alpha fires the heartbeat cap (sleep 2 > cap 1s) but finishes before going stale
+# (sleep 2 < cap 1 + heartbeat 2 = 3s). This sets capped=true in the heartbeat thread.
+# After test_alpha, :reset is sent and capped should be false.
+#
+# test_beta sleeps in the range (heartbeat=2, heartbeat+cap=3):
+#   - Without reset: no ticks, stale at t_B + 2s, finishes at t_B + 2.5s → STOLEN
+#   - With reset: ticks until cap at t_B + 1s, stale at t_B + 3s, finishes at t_B + 2.5s → NOT stolen
+class ConsecutiveCappedTests < Minitest::Test
+  def test_alpha
+    sleep 2
+  end
+
+  def test_beta
+    sleep 2.5
+  end
+end
diff --git a/ruby/test/fixtures/test/two_lost_tests.rb b/ruby/test/fixtures/test/two_lost_tests.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8875e87d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ruby/test/fixtures/test/two_lost_tests.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require 'test_helper'
+
+CI::Queue::Redis.max_sleep_time = 0.05
+
+class TwoLostTests < Minitest::Test
+
+  def test_alpha
+    sleep 3
+  end
+
+  def test_beta
+    sleep 3
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/ruby/test/integration/minitest_redis_test.rb b/ruby/test/integration/minitest_redis_test.rb
index ea56442d..b0cc163c 100644
--- a/ruby/test/integration/minitest_redis_test.rb
+++ b/ruby/test/integration/minitest_redis_test.rb
@@ -97,6 +97,202 @@ def test_lost_test_with_heartbeat_monitor
       end
     end
 
+    def test_lost_test_with_heartbeat_max_duration
+      # Start worker 0 first so it claims the test before worker 1 starts polling.
+      # Worker 0 heartbeat caps at 0.3s → entry stale at ~t=2 → worker 1 steals at ~t=2.
+      # lost_test sleeps 3s, giving a ~1s window for the steal before the test finishes.
+      _, err = capture_subprocess_io do
+        t0 = Thread.start do
+          system(
+            { 'BUILDKITE' => '1' },
+            @exe, 'run',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--seed', 'foobar',
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--worker', '0',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--max-requeues', '1',
+            '--requeue-tolerance', '1',
+            '--heartbeat', '2',
+            '--heartbeat-max-test-duration', '0.3',
+            '-Itest',
+            'test/lost_test.rb',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        # Give worker 0 time to claim the test before worker 1 starts polling.
+        sleep 0.5
+
+        t1 = Thread.start do
+          system(
+            { 'BUILDKITE' => '1' },
+            @exe, 'run',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--seed', 'foobar',
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--worker', '1',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--max-requeues', '1',
+            '--requeue-tolerance', '1',
+            '--heartbeat', '2',
+            '--heartbeat-max-test-duration', '0.3',
+            '-Itest',
+            'test/lost_test.rb',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        [t0, t1].each(&:join)
+      end
+
+      assert_empty filter_deprecation_warnings(err)
+
+      Tempfile.open('warnings') do |warnings_file|
+        out, err = capture_subprocess_io do
+          system(
+            @exe, 'report',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--warnings-file', warnings_file.path,
+            '--heartbeat',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        assert_empty filter_deprecation_warnings(err)
+        warnings = warnings_file.read.lines.map { |line| JSON.parse(line) }
+        # Worker 0's heartbeat caps at 0.3s; the entry goes stale ~2s after the last tick
+        # (before lost_test finishes at t=3). Worker 1 steals it, generating a warning.
+        assert warnings.size >= 1, "Expected at least 1 RESERVED_LOST_TEST warning, got #{warnings.size}"
+      end
+    end
+
+    def test_heartbeat_cap_doesnt_affect_fast_tests
+      # With cap enabled, fast-passing tests should complete normally with no entries
+      # going stale. The heartbeat cap should be a no-op when tests finish quickly.
+      _, err = capture_subprocess_io do
+        2.times.map do |i|
+          Thread.start do
+            system(
+              { 'BUILDKITE' => '1' },
+              @exe, 'run',
+              '--queue', @redis_url,
+              '--seed', 'foobar',
+              '--build', '1',
+              '--worker', i.to_s,
+              '--timeout', '1',
+              '--heartbeat', '5',
+              '--heartbeat-max-test-duration', '60',
+              '-Itest',
+              'test/passing_test.rb',
+              chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+            )
+          end
+        end.each(&:join)
+      end
+
+      assert_empty filter_deprecation_warnings(err)
+
+      Tempfile.open('warnings') do |warnings_file|
+        out, err = capture_subprocess_io do
+          system(
+            @exe, 'report',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--warnings-file', warnings_file.path,
+            '--heartbeat',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        assert_empty filter_deprecation_warnings(err)
+        result = normalize(out.lines[1].strip)
+        assert_equal "Ran 100 tests, 100 assertions, 0 failures, 0 errors, 0 skips, 0 requeues in X.XXs (aggregated)", result
+        warnings = warnings_file.read.lines.map { |line| JSON.parse(line) }
+        assert_equal 0, warnings.size, "No tests should be stolen -- heartbeat cap should not have fired"
+      end
+    end
+
+    def test_heartbeat_cap_resets_between_tests
+      # Worker 0 is the sole run worker: it processes test_alpha first (cap fires at 1s,
+      # test completes at 2s — not stolen), then :reset clears capped and it picks up
+      # test_beta. A thief (worker 1) starts only after test_beta is in `running` so it
+      # cannot grab it from the queue; it can only steal if test_beta goes stale.
+      #
+      # With reset working: test_beta heartbeat ticks until cap at t_B+1s, stale at t_B+3s,
+      # finishes at t_B+2.5s → NOT stolen → 0 warnings.
+      # With broken reset: no ticks for test_beta, stale at t_B+2s, finishes at t_B+2.5s
+      # → stolen by the thief → 1 warning.
+      _, err = capture_subprocess_io do
+        t0 = Thread.start do
+          system(
+            { 'BUILDKITE' => '1' },
+            @exe, 'run',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--seed', 'foobar',
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--worker', '0',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--max-requeues', '1',
+            '--requeue-tolerance', '1',
+            '--heartbeat', '2',
+            '--heartbeat-max-test-duration', '1',
+            '-Itest',
+            'test/consecutive_capped_tests.rb',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        # Wait for worker 0 to finish test_alpha (2s sleep + up to ~2s startup) and claim
+        # test_beta. Once test_beta is in `running`, the thief cannot grab it from the queue.
+        sleep 5
+
+        t1 = Thread.start do
+          system(
+            { 'BUILDKITE' => '1' },
+            @exe, 'run',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--seed', 'foobar',
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--worker', '1',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--max-requeues', '1',
+            '--requeue-tolerance', '1',
+            '--heartbeat', '2',
+            '--heartbeat-max-test-duration', '1',
+            '-Itest',
+            'test/consecutive_capped_tests.rb',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        [t0, t1].each(&:join)
+      end
+
+      assert_empty filter_deprecation_warnings(err)
+
+      Tempfile.open('warnings') do |warnings_file|
+        out, err = capture_subprocess_io do
+          system(
+            @exe, 'report',
+            '--queue', @redis_url,
+            '--build', '1',
+            '--timeout', '1',
+            '--warnings-file', warnings_file.path,
+            '--heartbeat',
+            chdir: 'test/fixtures/',
+          )
+        end
+
+        assert_empty filter_deprecation_warnings(err)
+        warnings = warnings_file.read.lines.map { |line| JSON.parse(line) }
+        assert_equal 0, warnings.size, "No tests should be stolen — heartbeat cap must reset between consecutive tests"
+      end
+    end
+
     def test_lazy_loading_streaming
       out, err = capture_subprocess_io do
         threads = 2.times.map do |i|