API Rate Limits

API Rate Limits are the request ceilings external services impose on clients. In Brevvie Python + AI — Section 4: APIs, Postman & Calling the Web, they appear as a practical reality of free-tier APIs and as one of the failure modes code should recognize.

Core points from the source

• free tiers often have per-minute or per-day caps
• 429 means the client must slow down
• limits differ across APIs like openweather, Polygon.io, and newsapi

Why it matters

Rate limits affect both code design and operational behavior; they are part of the contract, not an edge case.