diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f10c14d..1a518b5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ Edit `config.yaml` (autosave goes to `config.autosave.yaml`).
 - `wideband-aggressive`: min_span_hz=6000, max_span_hz=250000
 - `resources.max_refinement_jobs` — processing budget hint
 - `resources.max_recording_streams` — recording/streaming budget hint
+- `resources.max_decode_jobs` — decode budget hint
 - `profiles[]` — named operating profiles/intent metadata
 
 In phase 1, the engine stays backward compatible, but the config model now reflects the intended separation between:
diff --git a/cmd/sdrd/pipeline_runtime.go b/cmd/sdrd/pipeline_runtime.go
index a2364ca..de85d79 100644
--- a/cmd/sdrd/pipeline_runtime.go
+++ b/cmd/sdrd/pipeline_runtime.go
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ func (rt *dspRuntime) refineSignals(art *spectrumArtifacts, input pipeline.Refin
 		}
 	}
 	maxRecord := rt.cfg.Resources.MaxRecordingStreams
-	maxDecode := rt.cfg.Resources.MaxRecordingStreams
+	maxDecode := rt.cfg.Resources.MaxDecodeJobs
 	enforceDecisionBudgets(decisions, maxRecord, maxDecode)
 	rt.det.UpdateClasses(signals)
 	return pipeline.RefinementResult{Signals: signals, Decisions: decisions, Candidates: selectedCandidates}
diff --git a/config.yaml b/config.yaml
index 08c89df..8edec08 100644
--- a/config.yaml
+++ b/config.yaml
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ resources:
   prefer_gpu: true
   max_refinement_jobs: 8
   max_recording_streams: 16
+  max_decode_jobs: 16
 profiles:
   - name: legacy
     description: Current single-band legacy behavior
diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index a18886e..d8cfa34 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ type ResourceConfig struct {
 	PreferGPU           bool `yaml:"prefer_gpu" json:"prefer_gpu"`
 	MaxRefinementJobs   int  `yaml:"max_refinement_jobs" json:"max_refinement_jobs"`
 	MaxRecordingStreams int  `yaml:"max_recording_streams" json:"max_recording_streams"`
+	MaxDecodeJobs       int  `yaml:"max_decode_jobs" json:"max_decode_jobs"`
 }
 
 type ProfileConfig struct {
@@ -184,6 +185,7 @@ func Default() Config {
 			PreferGPU:           true,
 			MaxRefinementJobs:   8,
 			MaxRecordingStreams: 16,
+			MaxDecodeJobs:       16,
 		},
 		Profiles: []ProfileConfig{
 			{Name: "legacy", Description: "Current single-band pipeline behavior", Pipeline: &PipelineConfig{Mode: "legacy", Goals: PipelineGoalConfig{Intent: "general-monitoring"}}},
diff --git a/internal/pipeline/policy.go b/internal/pipeline/policy.go
index ffc12b9..e4cec05 100644
--- a/internal/pipeline/policy.go
+++ b/internal/pipeline/policy.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ type Policy struct {
 	RefinementMaxSpanHz     float64  `json:"refinement_max_span_hz"`
 	RefinementAutoSpan      bool     `json:"refinement_auto_span"`
 	PreferGPU               bool     `json:"prefer_gpu"`
+	MaxDecodeJobs           int      `json:"max_decode_jobs"`
 }
 
 func PolicyFromConfig(cfg config.Config) Policy {
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ func PolicyFromConfig(cfg config.Config) Policy {
 		RefinementMaxSpanHz:     cfg.Refinement.MaxSpanHz,
 		RefinementAutoSpan:      config.BoolValue(cfg.Refinement.AutoSpan, true),
 		PreferGPU:               cfg.Resources.PreferGPU,
+		MaxDecodeJobs:           cfg.Resources.MaxDecodeJobs,
 	}
 }