Timeouts are a critical aspect of test automation, ensuring that tests remain stable and efficient by preventing indefinite hanging due to unforeseen delays or unresponsive components. In the context of pytest, a popular Python testing framework, handling timeouts effectively is crucial for smooth test execution and reliable results. This involves configuring timeouts, handling exceptions, and implementing strategies to mitigate timeout issues, such as optimizing test execution time and managing slow external dependencies. Pytest allows for both global and per-test timeout configurations, providing flexibility in managing test durations. Additionally, pytest-timeout, a plugin for pytest, enables users to set specific time limits for tests, alerting them when these limits are exceeded. Effective timeout management also involves regular review and adjustment of timeout settings and collaboration with developers to address underlying performance issues, ensuring a stable and reliable test automation process.