diff --git a/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/README.md b/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/README.md
index 37f291c..fab5705 100644
--- a/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/README.md
+++ b/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/README.md
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ The task automatically determines its mode based on the presence of input/output
 | `type` | string | `sqs` | Must be "sqs" |
 | `queue_url` | string | - | SQS queue URL (required) |
 | `concurrency` | int | `10` | Number of concurrent `DeleteMessage` calls |
-| `max_messages` | int | `10` | Maximum number of messages to receive per batch |
+| `max_messages` | int | `10` | Per poll: max messages per `ReceiveMessage` (AWS cap 10) |
+| `max_records` | int | `0` (unlimited) | Read-mode cap on records forwarded downstream (per worker). `0` = unlimited. |
 | `wait_time_seconds` | int | `10` | Long polling wait time in seconds |
 | `exit_on_empty` | bool | `false` | Exit when a receive returns no messages. FIFO: empty poll is not drain while this task holds receipts or the queue still has visible, in-flight, or delayed messages. |
 | `end_after` | duration | - | Stop polling after this much time (read mode); e.g. `5m` |
@@ -29,8 +30,8 @@ The task automatically determines its mode based on the presence of input/output
 | `context` | map | - | JQ expressions whose results are stored on each record for downstream tasks |
 | `fail_on_error` | bool | `false` | Whether to stop the pipeline if this task encounters an error |
 
-In read mode the task polls until the queue drains (`exit_on_empty`) or `end_after` elapses;
-with neither set it polls indefinitely.
+In read mode the task polls until the queue drains (`exit_on_empty`), `end_after` elapses, or `max_records` is reached;
+with none of those set it polls indefinitely.
 
 ## Example Configurations
 
diff --git a/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/sqs.go b/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/sqs.go
index 97b0f08..ca711ec 100644
--- a/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/sqs.go
+++ b/internal/pkg/pipeline/task/sqs/sqs.go
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ type sqs struct {
 	QueueURL        string       `yaml:"queue_url" json:"queue_url" validate:"required"`
 	Concurrency     int          `yaml:"concurrency,omitempty" json:"concurrency,omitempty"`
 	MaxMessages     int32        `yaml:"max_messages,omitempty" json:"max_messages,omitempty"`
+	MaxRecords      int          `yaml:"max_records,omitempty" json:"max_records,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,gte=0"`
 	WaitTimeSeconds int          `yaml:"wait_time_seconds,omitempty" json:"wait_time_seconds,omitempty"`
 	ExitOnEmpty     bool         `yaml:"exit_on_empty,omitempty" json:"exit_on_empty,omitempty"`
 	MessageGroupId  string       `yaml:"message_group_id,omitempty" json:"message_group_id,omitempty"` // used for FIFO queues
@@ -153,6 +154,7 @@ func (s *sqs) getMessages(ctx context.Context, output chan<- *record.Record) err
 		defer cancel()
 	}
 
+	recordsRead := 0
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
@@ -189,21 +191,23 @@ func (s *sqs) getMessages(ctx context.Context, output chan<- *record.Record) err
 
 				if output == nil {
 					s.deleteMessage(m.MessageId, m.ReceiptHandle)
-					continue
-				}
-
-				if s.Delivery == deliveryAtMostOnce {
+				} else if s.Delivery == deliveryAtMostOnce {
 					s.SendData(ctx, []byte(*m.Body), output)
 					del := ack.New()
 					del.AddBranch(1)
 					del.Done()
 					s.enqueueDelete(m, del)
-					continue
+				} else {
+					msgAck := ack.New()
+					s.SendData(ack.WithContext(ctx, msgAck), []byte(*m.Body), output)
+					s.enqueueDelete(m, msgAck)
 				}
 
-				msgAck := ack.New()
-				s.SendData(ack.WithContext(ctx, msgAck), []byte(*m.Body), output)
-				s.enqueueDelete(m, msgAck)
+				recordsRead++
+				if s.MaxRecords > 0 && recordsRead >= s.MaxRecords {
+					fmt.Printf("SQS max_records (%d) reached for queue %s, stopping reader\n", s.MaxRecords, s.QueueURL)
+					return nil
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}