diff --git a/python/valis/db/queries.py b/python/valis/db/queries.py
index 1209a33..fe74cc0 100644
--- a/python/valis/db/queries.py
+++ b/python/valis/db/queries.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 import itertools
 import packaging
+import uuid
 from typing import Sequence, Union, Generator
 
 import astropy.units as u
@@ -57,17 +58,21 @@ def append_pipes(query: peewee.ModelSelect, table: str = 'stacked',
     if table not in {'stacked', 'flat'}:
         raise ValueError('table must be either "stacked" or "flat"')
 
+    # Run initial query as a temporary table.
+    temp = create_temporary_table(query, indices=['sdss_id'])
+
     model = vizdb.SDSSidStacked if table == 'stacked' else vizdb.SDSSidFlat
-    qq = query.select_extend(vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_boss,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_apogee,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_bvs,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_astra,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.has_been_observed,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.release,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.obs,
-                               vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.mjd).\
-        join(vizdb.SDSSidToPipes, on=(model.sdss_id == vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.sdss_id),
-             attr='pipes').distinct(vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.sdss_id)
+    qq = temp.select(temp.__star__,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_boss,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_apogee,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_bvs,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.in_astra,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.has_been_observed,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.release,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.obs,
+                     vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.mjd).\
+        join(vizdb.SDSSidToPipes, on=(temp.c.sdss_id == vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.sdss_id)).\
+        distinct(temp.c.sdss_id)
 
     if observed:
         qq = qq.where(vizdb.SDSSidToPipes.has_been_observed == observed)
@@ -264,7 +269,8 @@ def carton_program_map(key: str = 'program') -> dict:
 
 def carton_program_search(name: str,
                           name_type: str,
-                          query: peewee.ModelSelect | None = None) -> peewee.ModelSelect:
+                          query: peewee.ModelSelect | None = None,
+                          limit: int | None = None) -> peewee.ModelSelect:
     """ Perform a search on either carton or program
 
     Parameters
@@ -276,6 +282,8 @@ def carton_program_search(name: str,
     query : ModelSelect
         An initial query to extend. If ``None``, a new query with all the unique
         ``sdss_id``s is created.
+    limit : int
+        Limit the number of results returned.
 
     Returns
     -------
@@ -284,7 +292,7 @@ def carton_program_search(name: str,
     """
 
     if query is None:
-        query = vizdb.SDSSidStacked.select(vizdb.SDSSidStacked).distinct()
+        query = vizdb.SDSSidStacked.select(vizdb.SDSSidStacked)
 
     query = (query.join(
                 vizdb.SDSSidFlat,
@@ -295,6 +303,9 @@ def carton_program_search(name: str,
              .join(targetdb.Carton)
              .where(getattr(targetdb.Carton, name_type) == name))
 
+    if limit:
+        query = query.limit(limit)
+
     return query
 
 def get_targets_obs(release: str, obs: str, spectrograph: str) -> peewee.ModelSelect:
@@ -931,3 +942,20 @@ def get_target_by_altid(id: str | int, idtype: str = None) -> peewee.ModelSelect
 
     # get the sdss_id metadata info
     return get_targets_by_sdss_id(res.sdss_id)
+
+
+def create_temporary_table(query: peewee.ModelSelect, indices: list[str] | None = None) -> peewee.Table:
+    """Create a temporary table from a query."""
+
+    table_name = uuid.uuid4().hex[0:8]
+
+    table = peewee.Table(table_name)
+    table.bind(vizdb.database)
+
+    query.create_table(table_name, temporary=True)
+
+    if indices:
+        for index in indices:
+            vizdb.database.execute_sql(f'CREATE INDEX ON "{table_name}" ({index})')
+
+    return table
diff --git a/python/valis/routes/query.py b/python/valis/routes/query.py
index 5a7d25c..9c2e24a 100644
--- a/python/valis/routes/query.py
+++ b/python/valis/routes/query.py
@@ -203,12 +203,17 @@ async def carton_program(self,
                                                   Query(enum=['carton', 'program'],
                                                         description='Specify search on carton or program',
                                                         example='carton')] = 'carton',
-                             observed: Annotated[bool, Query(description='Flag to only include targets that have been observed', example=True)] = True):
+                             observed: Annotated[bool, Query(description='Flag to only include targets that have been observed', example=True)] = True,
+                             limit: Annotated[int | None, Query(description='Limit the number of returned targets', example=100)] = None):
         """ Perform a search on carton or program """
         with database.atomic():
-            database.execute_sql('SET LOCAL enable_seqscan=false;')
-            query = carton_program_search(name, name_type)
+            if limit is False:
+                # This tweak seems to do more harm than good when limit is passed.
+                database.execute_sql('SET LOCAL enable_seqscan=false;')
+
+            query = carton_program_search(name, name_type, limit=limit)
             query = append_pipes(query, observed=observed)
+
             return query.dicts().iterator()
 
     @router.get('/obs', summary='Return targets with spectrum at observatory',