diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a8d9126..05548cf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -79,6 +79,16 @@ curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/pastes \
 
 Full API docs: [docs/API.md](docs/API.md).
 
+## Performance Notes
+
+The history and Saved pages use client-side filtering: when you type in the
+search box, the UI fetches the most recent 100 pastes (`limit=100`, the API
+maximum) once per query and filters/sorts them in the browser. Pastes beyond
+the newest 100 are not searched; a match count against the full total is still
+shown. This keeps search instant without a server-side query. If large
+instances need full search later, it will be a server-side endpoint (see
+issue #32).
+
 ## CI
 
 Gitea Actions workflow at `.gitea/workflows/ci.yml`:
diff --git a/internal/web/static/table.js b/internal/web/static/table.js
index 971114c..7824080 100644
--- a/internal/web/static/table.js
+++ b/internal/web/static/table.js
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ const PaletteTable = (() => {
         const filtered = state.filter.length > 0;
         const off = (state.page - 1) * opts.perPage;
         const url = (filtered || state.sortKey)
-          ? opts.endpoint + '?limit=500&offset=0'
+          ? opts.endpoint + '?limit=' + (opts.fetchLimit || 100) + '&offset=0'
           : opts.endpoint + '?limit=' + opts.perPage + '&offset=' + off;
         const res = await fetch(url);
         const data = await res.json();