diff --git a/engine/app.py b/engine/app.py
index 9048ad2..b5dec12 100644
--- a/engine/app.py
+++ b/engine/app.py
@@ -154,8 +154,12 @@ def run_pipeline_mode(preset_name: str = "demo"):
 
     # Add FontStage for headlines/poetry (default for demo)
     if preset.source in ["headlines", "poetry"]:
-        from engine.pipeline.adapters import FontStage
+        from engine.pipeline.adapters import FontStage, ViewportFilterStage
 
+        # Add viewport filter to prevent rendering all items
+        pipeline.add_stage(
+            "viewport_filter", ViewportFilterStage(name="viewport-filter")
+        )
         pipeline.add_stage("font", FontStage(name="font"))
     else:
         # Fallback to simple conversion for other sources
diff --git a/engine/display/__init__.py b/engine/display/__init__.py
index 33d6394..e63fe82 100644
--- a/engine/display/__init__.py
+++ b/engine/display/__init__.py
@@ -84,6 +84,23 @@ class Display(Protocol):
         """
         ...
 
+    def is_quit_requested(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if user requested quit (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Q, or Escape).
+
+        Returns:
+            True if quit was requested, False otherwise
+
+        Optional method - only implemented by backends that support keyboard input.
+        """
+        ...
+
+    def clear_quit_request(self) -> None:
+        """Clear the quit request flag.
+
+        Optional method - only implemented by backends that support keyboard input.
+        """
+        ...
+
 
 class DisplayRegistry:
     """Registry for display backends with auto-discovery."""
diff --git a/engine/pipeline/adapters.py b/engine/pipeline/adapters.py
index ac9196c..dd2eafa 100644
--- a/engine/pipeline/adapters.py
+++ b/engine/pipeline/adapters.py
@@ -345,6 +345,64 @@ class CameraStage(Stage):
             self._camera.reset()
 
 
+class ViewportFilterStage(Stage):
+    """Stage that limits items to fit in viewport.
+
+    Filters the input list of items to only include as many as can fit
+    in the visible viewport. This prevents FontStage from rendering
+    thousands of items when only a few are visible, reducing processing time.
+
+    Estimate: each rendered item typically takes 5-8 terminal lines.
+    For a 24-line viewport, we limit to ~4 items (conservative estimate).
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, name: str = "viewport-filter"):
+        self.name = name
+        self.category = "filter"
+        self.optional = False
+
+    @property
+    def stage_type(self) -> str:
+        return "filter"
+
+    @property
+    def capabilities(self) -> set[str]:
+        return {f"filter.{self.name}"}
+
+    @property
+    def dependencies(self) -> set[str]:
+        return {"source"}
+
+    @property
+    def inlet_types(self) -> set:
+        from engine.pipeline.core import DataType
+
+        return {DataType.SOURCE_ITEMS}
+
+    @property
+    def outlet_types(self) -> set:
+        from engine.pipeline.core import DataType
+
+        return {DataType.SOURCE_ITEMS}
+
+    def process(self, data: Any, ctx: PipelineContext) -> Any:
+        """Filter items to viewport-fitting count."""
+        if data is None or not isinstance(data, list):
+            return data
+
+        # Estimate: each rendered headline takes 5-8 lines
+        # Use a conservative factor to ensure we don't run out of space
+        lines_per_item = 6
+        viewport_height = ctx.params.viewport_height if ctx.params else 24
+
+        # Calculate how many items we need to fill the viewport
+        # Add 1 extra to account for padding/spacing
+        max_items = max(1, viewport_height // lines_per_item + 1)
+
+        # Return only the items that fit in the viewport
+        return data[:max_items]
+
+
 class FontStage(Stage):
     """Stage that applies font rendering to content.
 
diff --git a/engine/pipeline/controller.py b/engine/pipeline/controller.py
index d72b7bd..3cf8e2c 100644
--- a/engine/pipeline/controller.py
+++ b/engine/pipeline/controller.py
@@ -255,6 +255,18 @@ class Pipeline:
         1. Execute all non-overlay stages in dependency order
         2. Apply overlay stages on top (sorted by render_order)
         """
+        import os
+        import sys
+
+        debug = os.environ.get("MAINLINE_DEBUG_DATAFLOW") == "1"
+
+        if debug:
+            print(
+                f"[PIPELINE.execute] Starting with data type: {type(data).__name__ if data else 'None'}",
+                file=sys.stderr,
+                flush=True,
+            )
+
         if not self._initialized:
             self.build()
 
@@ -303,8 +315,30 @@ class Pipeline:
             stage_start = time.perf_counter() if self._metrics_enabled else 0
 
             try:
+                if debug:
+                    data_info = type(current_data).__name__
+                    if isinstance(current_data, list):
+                        data_info += f"[{len(current_data)}]"
+                    print(
+                        f"[STAGE.{name}] Starting with: {data_info}",
+                        file=sys.stderr,
+                        flush=True,
+                    )
+
                 current_data = stage.process(current_data, self.context)
+
+                if debug:
+                    data_info = type(current_data).__name__
+                    if isinstance(current_data, list):
+                        data_info += f"[{len(current_data)}]"
+                    print(
+                        f"[STAGE.{name}] Completed, output: {data_info}",
+                        file=sys.stderr,
+                        flush=True,
+                    )
             except Exception as e:
+                if debug:
+                    print(f"[STAGE.{name}] ERROR: {e}", file=sys.stderr, flush=True)
                 if not stage.optional:
                     return StageResult(
                         success=False,
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index c7973ec..7929014 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ browser = [
 ]
 dev = [
     "pytest>=8.0.0",
+    "pytest-benchmark>=4.0.0",
     "pytest-cov>=4.1.0",
     "pytest-mock>=3.12.0",
     "ruff>=0.1.0",
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 [dependency-groups]
 dev = [
     "pytest>=8.0.0",
+    "pytest-benchmark>=4.0.0",
     "pytest-cov>=4.1.0",
     "pytest-mock>=3.12.0",
     "ruff>=0.1.0",
diff --git a/tests/test_performance_regression.py b/tests/test_performance_regression.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ffe845
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_performance_regression.py
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+"""Performance regression tests for pipeline stages with realistic data volumes.
+
+These tests verify that the pipeline maintains performance with large datasets
+by ensuring ViewportFilterStage prevents FontStage from rendering excessive items.
+
+Uses pytest-benchmark for statistical benchmarking with automatic regression detection.
+"""
+
+import pytest
+
+from engine.data_sources.sources import SourceItem
+from engine.pipeline.adapters import FontStage, ViewportFilterStage
+from engine.pipeline.core import PipelineContext
+
+
+class MockParams:
+    """Mock parameters object for testing."""
+
+    def __init__(self, viewport_width: int = 80, viewport_height: int = 24):
+        self.viewport_width = viewport_width
+        self.viewport_height = viewport_height
+
+
+class TestViewportFilterPerformance:
+    """Test ViewportFilterStage performance with realistic data volumes."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.benchmark
+    def test_filter_2000_items_to_viewport(self, benchmark):
+        """Benchmark: Filter 2000 items to viewport size.
+
+        Performance threshold: Must complete in < 1ms per iteration
+        This tests the filtering overhead is negligible.
+        """
+        # Create 2000 test items (more than real headline sources)
+        test_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", f"source-{i % 10}", str(i)) for i in range(2000)
+        ]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=24)
+
+        result = benchmark(stage.process, test_items, ctx)
+
+        # Verify result is correct
+        assert len(result) <= 5
+        assert len(result) > 0
+
+    @pytest.mark.benchmark
+    def test_font_stage_with_filtered_items(self, benchmark):
+        """Benchmark: FontStage rendering filtered (5) items.
+
+        Performance threshold: Must complete in < 50ms per iteration
+        This tests that filtering saves significant time by reducing FontStage work.
+        """
+        # Create filtered items (what ViewportFilterStage outputs)
+        filtered_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i))
+            for i in range(5)  # Filtered count
+        ]
+
+        font_stage = FontStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams()
+
+        result = benchmark(font_stage.process, filtered_items, ctx)
+
+        # Should render successfully
+        assert result is not None
+        assert isinstance(result, list)
+        assert len(result) > 0
+
+    def test_filter_reduces_work_by_288x(self):
+        """Verify ViewportFilterStage achieves expected performance improvement.
+
+        With 1438 items and 24-line viewport:
+        - Without filter: FontStage renders all 1438 items
+        - With filter: FontStage renders ~5 items
+        - Expected improvement: 1438 / 5 ≈ 288x
+        """
+        test_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i)) for i in range(1438)
+        ]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=24)
+
+        filtered = stage.process(test_items, ctx)
+        improvement_factor = len(test_items) / len(filtered)
+
+        # Verify we get expected 288x improvement
+        assert 250 < improvement_factor < 300
+        # Verify filtered count is reasonable
+        assert 4 <= len(filtered) <= 6
+
+
+class TestPipelinePerformanceWithRealData:
+    """Integration tests for full pipeline performance with large datasets."""
+
+    def test_pipeline_handles_large_item_count(self):
+        """Test that pipeline doesn't hang with 2000+ items due to filtering."""
+        # Create large dataset
+        large_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", f"source-{i % 5}", str(i)) for i in range(2000)
+        ]
+
+        filter_stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        font_stage = FontStage()
+
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=24)
+
+        # Filter should reduce items quickly
+        filtered = filter_stage.process(large_items, ctx)
+        assert len(filtered) < len(large_items)
+
+        # FontStage should process filtered items quickly
+        rendered = font_stage.process(filtered, ctx)
+        assert rendered is not None
+
+    def test_multiple_viewports_filter_correctly(self):
+        """Test that filter respects different viewport configurations."""
+        large_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i)) for i in range(1000)
+        ]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+
+        # Test different viewport heights
+        test_cases = [
+            (12, 3),  # 12px height -> ~3 items
+            (24, 5),  # 24px height -> ~5 items
+            (48, 9),  # 48px height -> ~9 items
+        ]
+
+        for viewport_height, expected_max_items in test_cases:
+            ctx = PipelineContext()
+            ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=viewport_height)
+
+            filtered = stage.process(large_items, ctx)
+
+            # Verify filtering is proportional to viewport
+            assert len(filtered) <= expected_max_items + 1
+            assert len(filtered) > 0
+
+
+class TestPerformanceRegressions:
+    """Tests that catch common performance regressions."""
+
+    def test_filter_doesnt_render_all_items(self):
+        """Regression test: Ensure filter doesn't accidentally render all items.
+
+        This would indicate that ViewportFilterStage is broken or bypassed.
+        """
+        large_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i)) for i in range(1438)
+        ]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams()
+
+        filtered = stage.process(large_items, ctx)
+
+        # Should NOT have all items (regression detection)
+        assert len(filtered) != len(large_items)
+        # Should have drastically fewer items
+        assert len(filtered) < 10
+
+    def test_font_stage_doesnt_hang_with_filter(self):
+        """Regression test: FontStage shouldn't hang when receiving filtered data.
+
+        Previously, FontStage would render all items, causing 10+ second hangs.
+        Now it should receive only ~5 items and complete quickly.
+        """
+        # Simulate what happens after ViewportFilterStage
+        filtered_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i))
+            for i in range(5)  # What filter outputs
+        ]
+
+        font_stage = FontStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams()
+
+        # Should complete instantly (not hang)
+        result = font_stage.process(filtered_items, ctx)
+
+        # Verify it actually worked
+        assert result is not None
+        assert isinstance(result, list)
diff --git a/tests/test_viewport_filter_performance.py b/tests/test_viewport_filter_performance.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94f7ba7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_viewport_filter_performance.py
@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+"""Integration tests for ViewportFilterStage with realistic data volumes.
+
+These tests verify that the ViewportFilterStage effectively reduces the number
+of items processed by FontStage, preventing the 10+ second hangs observed with
+large headline sources.
+"""
+
+
+from engine.data_sources.sources import SourceItem
+from engine.pipeline.adapters import ViewportFilterStage
+from engine.pipeline.core import PipelineContext
+
+
+class MockParams:
+    """Mock parameters object for testing."""
+
+    def __init__(self, viewport_width: int = 80, viewport_height: int = 24):
+        self.viewport_width = viewport_width
+        self.viewport_height = viewport_height
+
+
+class TestViewportFilterStage:
+    """Test ViewportFilterStage filtering behavior."""
+
+    def test_filter_stage_exists(self):
+        """Verify ViewportFilterStage can be instantiated."""
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        assert stage is not None
+        assert stage.name == "viewport-filter"
+
+    def test_filter_stage_properties(self):
+        """Verify ViewportFilterStage has correct type properties."""
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        from engine.pipeline.core import DataType
+
+        assert DataType.SOURCE_ITEMS in stage.inlet_types
+        assert DataType.SOURCE_ITEMS in stage.outlet_types
+
+    def test_filter_large_item_count_to_viewport(self):
+        """Test filtering 1438 items (like real headlines) to viewport size."""
+        # Create 1438 test items (matching real headline source)
+        test_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", f"source-{i % 5}", str(i)) for i in range(1438)
+        ]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_width=80, viewport_height=24)
+
+        # Filter items
+        filtered = stage.process(test_items, ctx)
+
+        # Verify filtering reduced item count significantly
+        assert len(filtered) < len(test_items)
+        assert len(filtered) <= 5  # 24 height / 6 lines per item + 1
+        assert len(filtered) > 0  # Must return at least 1 item
+
+    def test_filter_respects_viewport_height(self):
+        """Test that filter respects different viewport heights."""
+        test_items = [SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i)) for i in range(100)]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+
+        # Test with different viewport heights
+        for height in [12, 24, 48]:
+            ctx = PipelineContext()
+            ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=height)
+
+            filtered = stage.process(test_items, ctx)
+            expected_max = max(1, height // 6 + 1)
+
+            assert len(filtered) <= expected_max
+            assert len(filtered) > 0
+
+    def test_filter_handles_empty_list(self):
+        """Test filter handles empty input gracefully."""
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams()
+
+        result = stage.process([], ctx)
+
+        assert result == []
+
+    def test_filter_handles_none(self):
+        """Test filter handles None input gracefully."""
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams()
+
+        result = stage.process(None, ctx)
+
+        assert result is None
+
+    def test_filter_performance_improvement(self):
+        """Verify significant performance improvement (288x reduction)."""
+        # With 1438 items and 24-line viewport:
+        # - Without filter: FontStage renders all 1438 items
+        # - With filter: FontStage renders only ~5 items
+        # - Improvement: 1438 / 5 = 287.6x fewer items to render
+
+        test_items = [
+            SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i)) for i in range(1438)
+        ]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=24)
+
+        filtered = stage.process(test_items, ctx)
+        improvement_factor = len(test_items) / len(filtered)
+
+        # Verify we get at least 200x improvement
+        assert improvement_factor > 200
+        # Verify we get the expected ~288x improvement
+        assert 250 < improvement_factor < 300
+
+
+class TestViewportFilterIntegration:
+    """Test ViewportFilterStage in pipeline context."""
+
+    def test_filter_output_is_source_items(self):
+        """Verify filter output can be consumed by FontStage."""
+        from engine.pipeline.adapters import FontStage
+
+        test_items = [
+            SourceItem("Test Headline", "test-source", "123") for _ in range(10)
+        ]
+
+        filter_stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        font_stage = FontStage()
+
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams()
+
+        # Filter items
+        filtered = filter_stage.process(test_items, ctx)
+
+        # Verify filtered output is compatible with FontStage
+        assert isinstance(filtered, list)
+        assert all(isinstance(item, SourceItem) for item in filtered)
+
+        # FontStage should accept the filtered items
+        # (This would throw if types were incompatible)
+        result = font_stage.process(filtered, ctx)
+        assert result is not None
+
+    def test_filter_preserves_item_order(self):
+        """Verify filter preserves order of first N items."""
+        test_items = [SourceItem(f"Headline {i}", "source", str(i)) for i in range(20)]
+
+        stage = ViewportFilterStage()
+        ctx = PipelineContext()
+        ctx.params = MockParams(viewport_height=24)
+
+        filtered = stage.process(test_items, ctx)
+
+        # Verify we kept the first N items in order
+        for i, item in enumerate(filtered):
+            assert item.content == f"Headline {i}"