# Workflow Timeouts - Rust SDK

> Optimize Workflow Execution with the Temporal Rust SDK by configuring Workflow Timeouts and Retry Policies.

## Workflow timeouts 

Each Workflow timeout controls the maximum duration of a different aspect of a Workflow Execution.

In most cases, **Workflow Timeouts are not recommended**. Temporal Workflows are designed to be long-running and resilient. Setting timeouts can unnecessarily limit their ability to tolerate delays or extended processing.

If you need to trigger logic after a specific duration, use a **Timer inside the Workflow** instead of a timeout.

You can configure Workflow timeouts when starting a Workflow Execution.

Available timeouts include:

- [Workflow Execution Timeout](/encyclopedia/detecting-workflow-failures#workflow-execution-timeout): Maximum total time a Workflow Execution can run.
- [Workflow Run Timeout](/encyclopedia/detecting-workflow-failures#workflow-run-timeout): Maximum time a single Workflow Run can last.
- [Workflow Task Timeout](/encyclopedia/detecting-workflow-failures#workflow-task-timeout): Maximum time a Worker can take to complete a Workflow Task.

In Rust, you set these via `WorkflowStartOptions` when starting or executing a Workflow.

Available fields:

- `execution_timeout`
- `run_timeout`
- `task_timeout`

```rust
let wf_handle = client.start_workflow(
    GreetingsWorkflow::run, 
    (), 
    WorkflowStartOptions::new(
        "my-task-queue", 
        "greetings-workflow-10",
    )
    // Set timeouts
    .execution_timeout(Duration::from_secs(3600))
    .run_timeout(Duration::from_secs(600))
    .task_timeout(Duration::from_secs(10))
    .build()
).await?;
```

## Workflow retries 

A Retry Policy can be used alongside timeouts to control how Workflow Executions are retried after failure.

Workflow Executions do **not retry by default**. Retry Policies should only be applied when restarting the entire Workflow is safe and intentional.

To enable retries, configure a [Retry Policy](/encyclopedia/retry-policies) when starting the Workflow.

```rust
let wf_handle = client.start_workflow(
    GreetingsWorkflow::run, 
    (), 
    WorkflowStartOptions::new(
        "my-task-queue", 
        "greetings-workflow-10",
    )
    .retry_policy(RetryPolicy {
        initial_interval: Some(prost_dur!(from_secs(1))),
        backoff_coefficient: 2.0,
        maximum_interval: Some(prost_dur!(from_secs(100))),
        maximum_attempts: 5,
        non_retryable_error_types: vec!["NonRetryableError".to_string()],
    }).build()
).await?;
```

Retry Policies define retry behavior such as backoff intervals, maximum attempts, and retry conditions.