diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/App.test.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/App.test.tsx
index c039dfba..4dcf50d6 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/App.test.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/App.test.tsx
@@ -1433,4 +1433,10 @@ describe("App", () => {
     expect(settingsSpan).toHaveAttribute("tabIndex", "0");
     expect(settingsSpan).toHaveAttribute("role", "button");
   });
+
+  it("enforces a maximum length on the YouTube URL input", () => {
+    render(<App />);
+    const input = screen.getByPlaceholderText(/YouTube URL.../i);
+    expect(input).toHaveAttribute("maxLength", "2048");
+  });
 });
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/App.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/App.tsx
index 24f5fb09..10327b13 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/App.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/App.tsx
@@ -607,6 +607,7 @@ export function App() {
                       value={youtubeUrl}
                       onChange={(e) => setYoutubeUrl(e.target.value)}
                       disabled={analysisInFlight || isStarting || isImporting}
+                      maxLength={2048}
                       className="h-10 flex-1 border-0 bg-transparent text-slate-100 placeholder:text-slate-500 focus-visible:ring-cyan-300"
                       aria-label="YouTube URL"
                     />