> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-docs-rn-guide-message-privately.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Rate Limits
> Understand CometChat JavaScript SDK and REST API rate limits, response headers, 429 errors, and retry handling.
### CometChat REST API Rate Limits
Rate limits are cumulative within each tier. For example, if you make 5,000
login requests and 5,000 create user requests in one minute, you've hit the
10,000 core operations limit.
## Response Headers
CometChat includes rate limit information in response headers:
| Header | Description |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| `X-Rate-Limit` | Your current rate limit |
| `X-Rate-Limit-Remaining` | Requests remaining in current window |
| `Retry-After` | Seconds to wait before retrying (on 429) |
| `X-Rate-Limit-Reset` | Unix timestamp when limit resets (on 429) |
## Handling Rate Limits
When you exceed the rate limit, CometChat returns HTTP `429 Too Many Requests`. Implement exponential backoff to handle this gracefully:
```typescript theme={null}
async function callWithRetry(
apiCall: () => Promise,
maxRetries: number = 3
): Promise {
for (let attempt = 0; attempt < maxRetries; attempt++) {
try {
return await apiCall();
} catch (error: any) {
if (error.code === "TOO_MANY_REQUEST" && attempt < maxRetries - 1) {
const waitTime = Math.pow(2, attempt) * 1000;
console.log(`Rate limited. Retrying in ${waitTime / 1000}s...`);
await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, waitTime));
} else {
throw error;
}
}
}
throw new Error("Max retries exceeded");
}
// Usage
const users: CometChat.User[] = await callWithRetry(() =>
new CometChat.UsersRequestBuilder().setLimit(30).build().fetchNext()
);
```
```javascript theme={null}
async function callWithRetry(apiCall, maxRetries = 3) {
for (let attempt = 0; attempt < maxRetries; attempt++) {
try {
return await apiCall();
} catch (error) {
if (error.code === "TOO_MANY_REQUEST" && attempt < maxRetries - 1) {
const waitTime = Math.pow(2, attempt) * 1000; // 1s, 2s, 4s
console.log(`Rate limited. Retrying in ${waitTime / 1000}s...`);
await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, waitTime));
} else {
throw error;
}
}
}
}
// Usage
const users = await callWithRetry(() =>
new CometChat.UsersRequestBuilder().setLimit(30).build().fetchNext()
);
```
## Tips for Staying Within Limits
* **Batch operations** — Space out bulk operations over time instead of firing all at once
* **Monitor headers** — Check `X-Rate-Limit-Remaining` to proactively slow down before hitting limits
* **Avoid frequent login/logout** — Core operations share a lower limit; minimize login cycles
* **Use pagination** — Fetch data in reasonable page sizes (30-50 items) rather than requesting everything at once
Rate limits can be adjusted based on your use case and plan. Contact CometChat
support if you need higher limits.
***
## Next Steps
Complete SDK error code reference
Recommended patterns including rate limit handling
Common issues and solutions
Learn the core concepts behind CometChat