> [!IMPORTANT]
> **AI Assist Note (Knowledge Heritage)**:
> This document is part of the "Sovereign Reality" documentation.
> - **@docs ARCHITECTURE:Registry:Skills**
> - **Failure Path**: Information drift, legacy terminology, or documentation mismatch.
> - **Telemetry Link**: Search `[rate_limiting]` in audit logs.
>
> ### AI Assist Note
> Rate Limiting Principles
>
> ### 🔍 Debugging & Observability
> Traceability via `parity_guard.py`.

# Rate Limiting Principles

> Protect your API from abuse and overload.

## Why Rate Limit

```
Protect against:
├── Brute force attacks
├── Resource exhaustion
├── Cost overruns (if pay-per-use)
├── Unfair usage
└── Monetization enforcement (Tiered Rate Limiting: Free vs. Paid limits)
```

## Strategy Selection

| Type | How | When |
|------|-----|------|
| **Token bucket** | Burst allowed, refills over time | Most APIs |
| **Sliding window** | Smooth distribution | Strict limits |
| **Fixed window** | Simple counters per window | Basic needs |

## Response Headers

```
Include in headers:
├── X-RateLimit-Limit (max requests)
├── X-RateLimit-Remaining (requests left)
├── X-RateLimit-Reset (when limit resets)
└── Return 429 when exceeded
```

[//]: # (Metadata: [rate_limiting])
