diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord.yaml
index c5835b55..c2bf0e22 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -26,5 +27,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" --lava-testcase-id "${LAVA_TESTCASE_ID}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" --lava-testcase-id "${LAVA_TESTCASE_ID}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config01.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config01.yaml
index 40b4799c..33de8593 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config01.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config01.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config02.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config02.yaml
index 347c579c..0680c820 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config02.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config02.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config03.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config03.yaml
index 77696c5c..f2de16a0 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config03.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config03.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config04.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config04.yaml
index 0f7f8f36..ebde5dcb 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config04.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config04.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config05.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config05.yaml
index 48e8c6f0..0d528a89 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config05.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config05.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config06.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config06.yaml
index 5021758a..85288f04 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config06.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config06.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config07.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config07.yaml
index bd4705fc..10257d39 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config07.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config07.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config08.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config08.yaml
index cb3c8cbc..25c5f7e3 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config08.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config08.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config09.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config09.yaml
index 99d4a845..5ed863a7 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config09.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config09.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config10.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config10.yaml
index 6e2a7e27..76cdea9d 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config10.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_Config10.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ params:
   DURATIONS: ""  # Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only, not used in config discovery mode), default: unset
   RECORD_SECONDS: "5s"  # Recording duration with unit suffix (e.g., "5s", "10s", "30s"), default: 5s
   LOOPS: 1  # Number of recording loops, default: 1
-  TIMEOUT: 0  # Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none), default: 0
+  TIMEOUT: 0  # Explicit timeout override per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic), default: 0
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: 5  # Startup headroom added to the automatic recorder watchdog, default: 5s
   STRICT: 0  # Enable strict mode (fail on any error), default: 0
   DMESG_SCAN: 1  # Scan dmesg for errors after recording, default: 1
   VERBOSE: 0  # Enable verbose logging, default: 0
@@ -25,5 +26,5 @@ run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${AUDIO_BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE_CHOICE}" --config-name "${CONFIG_NAMES}" --config-filter "${CONFIG_FILTER}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --strict "${STRICT}" --res-suffix "${RES_SUFFIX}" || true
     - $REPO_PATH/Runner/utils/send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord${RES_SUFFIX:+_${RES_SUFFIX}}.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml
index ad90058c..78b6698e 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml
@@ -14,11 +14,12 @@ params:
   SOURCE: "mic"
   LOOPS: "1"
   TIMEOUT: "0"
+  AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE: "5"
   RECORD_SECONDS: "30s"
 
 run:
   steps:
     - REPO_PATH=$PWD
     - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
-    - ./run.sh --backend "${BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --audio-bootstrap false || true
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --start-grace "${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --audio-bootstrap false || true
     - ./send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/Read_me.md b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/Read_me.md
index 62ff611f..59298505 100644
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/Read_me.md
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/Read_me.md
@@ -201,7 +201,8 @@ CONFIG_FILTER     Filter configs by pattern (e.g., "48KHz" or "2ch")
 DURATIONS	      Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only)     ""
 RECORD_SECONDS	  Number of seconds to record (e.g., 5s, 10s)                     30s
 LOOPS	          Number of recording loops	                                      1
-TIMEOUT	          Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s, 0=none)                  0
+TIMEOUT	          Explicit timeout override (e.g., 15s, 0=automatic)              0
+AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE Startup headroom added to the automatic watchdog       5
 STRICT	          Strict mode (0=disabled, 1=enabled, fail on any error)	      0
 DMESG_SCAN	      Scan dmesg for errors after recording	                          1
 VERBOSE	          Enable verbose logging	                                      0
@@ -219,17 +220,40 @@ Option	                      Description
 --record-seconds <duration>   Number of seconds to record (e.g., 5s, 10s)
 --durations	                  Recording durations: short, medium, long (legacy mode only)
 --loops	                      Number of recording loops
---timeout	                  Recording timeout per loop (e.g., 15s)
+--timeout <duration>          Override the automatic duration-based watchdog
+--start-grace <seconds>      Recorder startup headroom, default: 5
 --strict [0|1]                Enable strict mode (0=disabled, 1=enabled)
 --no-dmesg	                  Disable dmesg scan
 --res-suffix <suffix>         Suffix for unique result file and log directory (e.g., "Config01" generates AudioRecord_Config01.res and results/AudioRecord_Config01/)
 --lava-testcase-id <id>       Unique testcase ID written into the .res file for LAVA (e.g., "AudioRecord_Config01")
 --junit <file.xml>            Write JUnit XML output
 --verbose	                  Enable verbose logging
---help	                      Show usage instructions
-```
-
-Sample Output:
+--help	                      Show usage instructions
+```
+
+### Recording watchdog and clock handling
+
+When `TIMEOUT=0`, AudioRecord uses an automatic watchdog for recorder commands.
+The watchdog duration is the requested recording duration plus
+`AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE`, which defaults to five seconds. The additional time
+allows PipeWire or PulseAudio to establish the stream without reducing the WAV
+duration being validated. An explicit `--timeout` value overrides the automatic
+watchdog and does not receive startup grace.
+
+Watchdog deadlines and elapsed-time reporting use monotonic uptime rather than
+the system wall clock. RTC or NTP corrections during recording therefore do not
+terminate the recorder early or produce an invalid elapsed time. When the wall
+clock changes materially during a case, stdout includes a diagnostic such as:
+
+```text
+[WARN] ... [record_8KHz_1ch] [AUDIO-CLOCK] wall-clock correction detected step=4581451s, watchdog and elapsed accounting used monotonic time
+```
+
+The requested recording duration remains the WAV validation target. Startup
+grace affects only when the recorder is stopped, so a valid recording may be
+longer than the requested minimum.
+
+Sample Output:
 
 **Example 1: Testing specific config using config naming**
 ```
@@ -237,11 +261,11 @@ sh-5.3# ./run.sh --config-name "record_config1"
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Base build detected (no audioreach modules), skipping overlay setup
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - ---------------- Starting AudioRecord ----------------
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Platform Details: machine='Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Robotics RB3gen2' target='Kodiak' kernel='6.18.0-00393-g27507852413b' arch='aarch64'
-[INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Args: backend=auto source=mic loops=1 durations='short' record_seconds=30s timeout=0 strict=0 dmesg=1
+[INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Args: backend=auto source=mic overlay=0 loops=1 durations='' record_seconds=30s timeout=0 start_grace=5 strict=0 signal_strict=0 dmesg=1 bootstrap=auto runtime_dir=auto
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Backend fallback chain: pipewire pulseaudio alsa
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Using backend: pipewire
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Routing to source: id/name=45 label='Built-in Audio internal Mic' choice=mic
-[INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Watchdog/timeout: disabled (no timeout)
+[INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Watchdog/timeout: automatic per case, requested duration plus start_grace=5s
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Using config discovery mode
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - Discovered 1 configs to test
 [INFO] 2026-01-02 12:00:46 - [record_8KHz_1ch] Using config: record_config1 (rate=8000Hz channels=1)
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh
index 37d59724..924dda59 100755
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ SRC_CHOICE="${SRC_CHOICE:-mic}" # mic|null
 DURATIONS="" # Will be set to default only if using legacy mode
 RECORD_SECONDS="${RECORD_SECONDS:-30s}" # DEFAULT: 30s; 'auto' maps short/med/long
 LOOPS="${LOOPS:-1}"
-TIMEOUT="${TIMEOUT:-0}" # 0 = no watchdog
+TIMEOUT="${TIMEOUT:-0}" # 0 = automatic duration-based watchdog
+AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE="${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE:-5}"
 STRICT="${STRICT:-0}"
 DMESG_SCAN="${DMESG_SCAN:-1}"
 VERBOSE=0
@@ -147,7 +148,8 @@ Usage: $0 [options]
                       # false = never bootstrap manually
   --runtime-dir PATH # Override XDG_RUNTIME_DIR for minimal ramdisk mode
   --loops N
-  --timeout SECS
+  --timeout SECS         Override the automatic duration-based watchdog
+  --start-grace SECS     Recorder startup headroom, default: 5
   --strict [0|1]
   --no-dmesg
   --junit FILE.xml
@@ -297,6 +299,10 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
       TIMEOUT="$2"
       shift 2
       ;;
+    --start-grace)
+      AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE="$2"
+      shift 2
+      ;;
     --strict)
       case "$2" in
         --*|"")
@@ -539,7 +545,7 @@ if [ -n "$CONFIG_NAMES" ] && [ -n "$CONFIG_FILTER" ]; then
   CONFIG_FILTER=""
 fi
 
-log_info "Args: backend=${AUDIO_BACKEND:-auto} source=$SRC_CHOICE overlay=$AUDIO_OVERLAY_REQUESTED loops=$LOOPS durations='$DURATIONS' record_seconds=$RECORD_SECONDS timeout=$TIMEOUT strict=$STRICT signal_strict=$AUDIO_RECORD_STRICT_SIGNAL dmesg=$DMESG_SCAN bootstrap=$AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE runtime_dir=${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-auto}"
+log_info "Args: backend=${AUDIO_BACKEND:-auto} source=$SRC_CHOICE overlay=$AUDIO_OVERLAY_REQUESTED loops=$LOOPS durations='$DURATIONS' record_seconds=$RECORD_SECONDS timeout=$TIMEOUT start_grace=${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE:-5} strict=$STRICT signal_strict=$AUDIO_RECORD_STRICT_SIGNAL dmesg=$DMESG_SCAN bootstrap=$AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE runtime_dir=${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-auto}"
 
 # Resolve backend (allow minimal-build ALSA capture fallback)
 if [ -z "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
@@ -909,9 +915,9 @@ esac
 dur_s="$(duration_to_secs "$TIMEOUT" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 [ -z "$dur_s" ] && dur_s=0
 if [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null; then
-  log_info "Watchdog/timeout: ${TIMEOUT}"
+  log_info "Watchdog/timeout: explicit override=${TIMEOUT}"
 else
-  log_info "Watchdog/timeout: disabled (no timeout)"
+  log_info "Watchdog/timeout: automatic per case, requested duration plus start_grace=${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE}s"
 fi
 
 # JUnit init (optional)
@@ -1079,7 +1085,7 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
 
     while [ "$i" -le "$LOOPS" ]; do
       iso="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
-      effective_timeout="$secs"
+      effective_timeout="$(audio_record_timeout_with_grace "$secs")"
       if [ -n "$TIMEOUT" ] && [ "$TIMEOUT" != "0" ]; then
         effective_timeout="$TIMEOUT"
       fi
@@ -1099,7 +1105,8 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
 
       audio_record_set_capture_paths "$case_name"
       audio_record_reset_capture_output
-      start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+      start_mono="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
+      start_wall="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
       validation_rate="$rate"
       validation_channels="$channels"
 
@@ -1287,10 +1294,22 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
         bytes=0
       fi
 
-      end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      last_elapsed=$((end_s - start_s))
+      end_mono="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
+      end_wall="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+      last_elapsed=$((end_mono - start_mono))
       [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ] && last_elapsed=0
 
+      clock_step="$(
+        clock_step_seconds \
+          "$start_mono" \
+          "$start_wall" \
+          "$end_mono" \
+          "$end_wall"
+      )"
+      if [ "$clock_step" -gt 1 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+        log_warn "[$case_name] [AUDIO-CLOCK] wall-clock correction detected step=${clock_step}s, watchdog and elapsed accounting used monotonic time"
+      fi
+
       audio_record_validate_final_output
 
       # Evidence
@@ -1384,7 +1403,7 @@ else
 
     while [ "$i" -le "$LOOPS" ]; do
       iso="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
-      effective_timeout="$secs"
+      effective_timeout="$(audio_record_timeout_with_grace "$secs")"
       if [ -n "$TIMEOUT" ] && [ "$TIMEOUT" != "0" ]; then
         effective_timeout="$TIMEOUT"
       fi
@@ -1404,7 +1423,8 @@ else
 
       audio_record_set_capture_paths "$case_name"
       audio_record_reset_capture_output
-      start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+      start_mono="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
+      start_wall="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
       validation_rate=0
       validation_channels=0
 
@@ -1578,10 +1598,22 @@ else
         bytes=0
       fi
 
-      end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      last_elapsed=$((end_s - start_s))
+      end_mono="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
+      end_wall="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+      last_elapsed=$((end_mono - start_mono))
       [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ] && last_elapsed=0
 
+      clock_step="$(
+        clock_step_seconds \
+          "$start_mono" \
+          "$start_wall" \
+          "$end_mono" \
+          "$end_wall"
+      )"
+      if [ "$clock_step" -gt 1 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+        log_warn "[$case_name] [AUDIO-CLOCK] wall-clock correction detected step=${clock_step}s, watchdog and elapsed accounting used monotonic time"
+      fi
+
       audio_record_validate_final_output
 
       # Evidence
diff --git a/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh b/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh
index 213958b0..322371d8 100755
--- a/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh
+++ b/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ audio_scratch_dir() {
 audio_restart_pipewire_service() {
   aprs_label="${1:-1/1}"
   aprs_timeout="${PIPEWIRE_SYSTEMCTL_TIMEOUT:-180}"
-  aprs_start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+  aprs_start_s="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
   aprs_next_log=10
   aprs_scope="system"
   aprs_exec_text="systemctl restart pipewire"
@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ audio_restart_pipewire_service() {
   rm -f "$aprs_output_file"
  
   while :; do
-    aprs_now_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+    aprs_now_s="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
     aprs_elapsed=$((aprs_now_s - aprs_start_s))
  
     if [ "$aprs_elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
@@ -1414,7 +1414,30 @@ audio_parse_secs() {
   esac
 }
 
+# Add startup headroom to an AudioRecord capture watchdog.
+# PipeWire and PulseAudio recorders do not take a duration on these paths, so
+# the watchdog starts before the stream is ready. Preserve the requested WAV
+# duration by adding configurable startup grace to the watchdog only.
+audio_record_timeout_with_grace() {
+  artg_requested="$(audio_parse_secs "$1" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+  artg_grace="${AUDIO_RECORD_START_GRACE:-5}"
+
+  if ! is_unsigned_number "$artg_grace"; then
+    artg_grace=5
+  fi
+
+  if [ "${artg_requested:-0}" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null &&
+     [ "$artg_grace" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+    printf '%ss\n' "$((artg_requested + artg_grace))"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  printf '%s\n' "$1"
+}
+
 # Run a command with a bounded timeout.
+# Timeout accounting uses monotonic uptime so an RTC or NTP correction cannot
+# prematurely terminate the child.
 #
 # Return:
 # child status - command exited before the timeout
@@ -1449,19 +1472,13 @@ audio_exec_with_timeout() {
   "$@" &
   aewt_pid=$!
 
-  aewt_start="$(
-    date +%s 2>/dev/null ||
-      echo 0
-  )"
+  aewt_start="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
 
   aewt_deadline=$((aewt_start + aewt_dur_norm))
   aewt_timed_out=0
 
   while kill -0 "$aewt_pid" 2>/dev/null; do
-    aewt_now="$(
-      date +%s 2>/dev/null ||
-        echo 0
-    )"
+    aewt_now="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
 
     if [ "$aewt_now" -ge "$aewt_deadline" ] 2>/dev/null; then
       aewt_timed_out=1
@@ -1502,11 +1519,11 @@ audio_exec_with_timeout() {
 audio_wait_audio_ready() {
   max_s="${1:-${PIPEWIRE_READY_TIMEOUT:-120}}"
   backend_name="${2:-auto}"
-  start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+  start_s="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
   next_log=10
 
   while :; do
-    now_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+    now_s="$(get_monotonic_seconds)"
     elapsed=$((now_s - start_s))
     if [ "$elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
       elapsed=0