The Runtime Theory

Rate Limiting with a Token Bucket

Visualize how a token bucket limits request rate, handles bursts, and enforces a steady throughput ceiling.

The Runtime Theory Team05 stages

trace / request.md

INCOMING REQUESTCHECK TOKENBUCKETCONSUMETOKEN OR DENYTOKENS REFILLOVER TIMERESPONSE RETURNS

readyThe request arrives at the edge — a load balancer, API gateway, or the service itself.

Rate limiting protects services from overload. A token bucket allows bursts up to its capacity while constraining the average rate to the refill rate. Read the rate limiter practice to design the algorithm, and the load-balanced request trace to see where rate limiting sits on the critical path.

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