> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pixelpatrol.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rate Limits

> API rate limits and usage guidelines

## Rate Limits

Pixel Patrol enforces rate limits to ensure fair usage and system stability.

### Per Site Key Limits

| Endpoint            | Rate Limit     | Window     |
| ------------------- | -------------- | ---------- |
| `/submit-media`     | 1,000 requests | Per minute |
| `/get-media-status` | 2,000 requests | Per minute |

### Content Size Limits

| Content Type                | Maximum Size |
| --------------------------- | ------------ |
| Text content (`body` field) | 100 KB       |
| Image files (via URL)       | 10 MB        |
| Metadata object             | 10 KB        |

## Rate Limit Headers

API responses include rate limit information in headers:

```
X-RateLimit-Limit: 1000
X-RateLimit-Remaining: 999
X-RateLimit-Reset: 1640995200
```

* `X-RateLimit-Limit`: Maximum requests allowed per window
* `X-RateLimit-Remaining`: Requests remaining in current window
* `X-RateLimit-Reset`: Unix timestamp when the window resets

## Handling Rate Limits

When you exceed rate limits, the API returns a `429 Too Many Requests` response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "error": "Rate limit exceeded",
  "message": "Too many requests. Please try again in 60 seconds.",
  "retry_after": 60
}
```

### Best Practices

1. **Implement exponential backoff** - Wait longer between retries after each failure
2. **Monitor rate limit headers** - Track remaining requests to avoid hitting limits
3. **Batch requests when possible** - Submit multiple items efficiently
4. **Cache status checks** - Avoid repeatedly checking the same media status

### Example Retry Logic

```javascript theme={null}
async function submitWithRetry(data, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= maxRetries; attempt++) {
    try {
      const response = await fetch('https://api.pixelpatrol.net/functions/v1/submit-media', {
        method: 'POST',
        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
        body: JSON.stringify(data)
      });
      
      if (response.ok) {
        return await response.json();
      }
      
      if (response.status === 429) {
        const retryAfter = response.headers.get('Retry-After') || Math.pow(2, attempt);
        await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, retryAfter * 1000));
        continue;
      }
      
      throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status}`);
    } catch (error) {
      if (attempt === maxRetries) throw error;
      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, Math.pow(2, attempt) * 1000));
    }
  }
}
```

## Subscription Limits

Rate limits are separate from your subscription's moderation limits:

* **Rate limits** prevent API abuse (requests per minute)
* **Moderation limits** control usage based on your plan (moderations per month)

When you exceed your monthly moderation limit, you'll receive a `403 Forbidden` response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "error": "Moderation limit exceeded",
  "type": "moderation_limit",
  "message": "Your team has reached the monthly moderation limit. Please upgrade your plan."
}
```

## Increasing Limits

Contact [support@pixelpatrol.net](mailto:support@pixelpatrol.net) if you need higher rate limits for your use case. We can accommodate enterprise customers with custom limits.