diff --git a/src/search/fts.rs b/src/search/fts.rs
index 1d05031..ab46850 100644
--- a/src/search/fts.rs
+++ b/src/search/fts.rs
@@ -14,9 +14,38 @@ pub struct FtsResult {
     pub snippet: String,
 }
 
+/// Validate an FTS5 query string for safety.
+/// Rejects known-dangerous patterns: unbalanced quotes, excessive wildcards,
+/// and empty queries. Returns the sanitized query or falls back to Safe mode.
+fn sanitize_raw_fts(raw: &str) -> Option<String> {
+    let trimmed = raw.trim();
+    if trimmed.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    // Reject unbalanced double quotes (FTS5 syntax error)
+    let quote_count = trimmed.chars().filter(|&c| c == '"').count();
+    if quote_count % 2 != 0 {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    // Reject leading wildcard-only queries (expensive full-table scan)
+    if trimmed == "*" || trimmed.starts_with("* ") {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    Some(trimmed.to_string())
+}
+
 pub fn to_fts_query(raw: &str, mode: FtsQueryMode) -> String {
     match mode {
-        FtsQueryMode::Raw => raw.to_string(),
+        FtsQueryMode::Raw => {
+            // Validate raw FTS5 input; fall back to Safe mode if invalid
+            match sanitize_raw_fts(raw) {
+                Some(sanitized) => sanitized,
+                None => to_fts_query(raw, FtsQueryMode::Safe),
+            }
+        }
         FtsQueryMode::Safe => {
             let trimmed = raw.trim();
             if trimmed.is_empty() {
@@ -202,4 +231,38 @@ mod tests {
         let result = get_result_snippet(Some(""), "full content text");
         assert_eq!(result, "full content text");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_raw_mode_valid_fts5_passes_through() {
+        let result = to_fts_query("auth OR error", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        assert_eq!(result, "auth OR error");
+
+        let result = to_fts_query("\"exact phrase\"", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        assert_eq!(result, "\"exact phrase\"");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_raw_mode_unbalanced_quotes_falls_back_to_safe() {
+        let result = to_fts_query("auth \"error", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        // Falls back to Safe mode: each token quoted
+        assert_eq!(result, "\"auth\" \"\"\"error\"");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_raw_mode_leading_wildcard_falls_back_to_safe() {
+        let result = to_fts_query("* OR auth", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        assert_eq!(result, "\"*\" \"OR\" \"auth\"");
+
+        let result = to_fts_query("*", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        assert_eq!(result, "\"*\"");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_raw_mode_empty_falls_back_to_safe() {
+        let result = to_fts_query("", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        assert_eq!(result, "");
+
+        let result = to_fts_query("   ", FtsQueryMode::Raw);
+        assert_eq!(result, "");
+    }
 }