diff --git a/scripts/multi_corpus_e2e.sh b/scripts/multi_corpus_e2e.sh
index 5cbe2ef..897e682 100755
--- a/scripts/multi_corpus_e2e.sh
+++ b/scripts/multi_corpus_e2e.sh
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ cd "$(dirname "$0")/.."
 export PATH="$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin"
 
 QUERY="${1:-Forklift operator with OSHA-30 certification, warehouse experience}"
+WORKERS_LIMIT="${WORKERS_LIMIT:-5000}"
 
 if ! curl -sS --max-time 3 http://localhost:11434/api/tags >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   echo "[multi-corpus-e2e] Ollama not reachable on :11434 — skipping"
@@ -94,8 +95,8 @@ poll_health 3218 || { echo "matrixd failed"; exit 1; }
 poll_health 3110 || { echo "gateway failed"; exit 1; }
 
 echo
-echo "[multi-corpus-e2e] ingest workers (limit=5000)..."
-./bin/staffing_workers -limit 5000
+echo "[multi-corpus-e2e] ingest workers (limit=$WORKERS_LIMIT)..."
+./bin/staffing_workers -limit "$WORKERS_LIMIT"
 
 echo
 echo "[multi-corpus-e2e] ingest candidates..."