api-rate-limiting
Implement API rate limiting strategies using token bucket, sliding window, and fixed window algorithms. Use when protecting APIs from abuse, managing traffic, or implementing tiered rate limits.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill api-rate-limiting- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads api-rate-limiting automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
API Rate Limiting
Table of Contents
Overview
Protect APIs from abuse and manage traffic using various rate limiting algorithms with per-user, per-IP, and per-endpoint strategies.
When to Use
- Protecting APIs from brute force attacks
- Managing traffic spikes
- Implementing tiered service plans
- Preventing DoS attacks
- Fairness in resource allocation
- Enforcing quotas and usage limits
Quick Start
Minimal working example:
// Token Bucket Rate Limiter
class TokenBucket {
constructor(capacity, refillRate) {
this.capacity = capacity;
this.tokens = capacity;
this.refillRate = refillRate; // tokens per second
this.lastRefillTime = Date.now();
}
refill() {
const now = Date.now();
const timePassed = (now - this.lastRefillTime) / 1000;
const tokensToAdd = timePassed * this.refillRate;
this.tokens = Math.min(this.capacity, this.tokens + tokensToAdd);
this.lastRefillTime = now;
}
consume(tokens = 1) {
this.refill();
if (this.tokens >= tokens) {
this.tokens -= tokens;
return true;
}
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)
Reference Guides
Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:
| Guide | Contents |
|---|---|
| Token Bucket Algorithm | Token Bucket Algorithm |
| Sliding Window Algorithm | Sliding Window Algorithm |
| Redis-Based Rate Limiting | Redis-Based Rate Limiting |
| Tiered Rate Limiting | Tiered Rate Limiting |
| Python Rate Limiting (Flask) | Python Rate Limiting (Flask) |
| Response Headers | Response Headers |
Best Practices
✅ DO
- Include rate limit headers in responses
- Use Redis for distributed rate limiting
- Implement tiered limits for different user plans
- Set appropriate window sizes and limits
- Monitor rate limit metrics
- Provide clear retry guidance
- Document rate limits in API docs
- Test under high load
❌ DON'T
- Use in-memory storage in production
- Set limits too restrictively
- Forget to include Retry-After header
- Ignore distributed scenarios
- Make rate limits public (security)
- Use simple counters for distributed systems
- Forget cleanup of old data
FAQ
What does the api-rate-limiting skill do?
Implement API rate limiting strategies using token bucket, sliding window, and fixed window algorithms. Use when protecting APIs from abuse, managing traffic, or implementing tiered rate limits.
How do I install api-rate-limiting?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill api-rate-limiting in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/api-rate-limiting/ (personal) or .claude/skills/api-rate-limiting/ (project).
Which AI agents can use api-rate-limiting?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is api-rate-limiting safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains api-rate-limiting?
It is published by aj-geddes in aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts. It has 640 recorded installs.
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