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

# Rate limits

> Request rate limits by plan for the Critique Flow API

## Overview

Rate limits apply per API key and depend on your plan. Limits are enforced across Critique Flow API endpoints (including `POST /v1/search` and `GET /v1/ws/search`).

<Note>
  These limits are not currently defined in the published OpenAPI document. They are documented here and on the [pricing page](https://critique-labs.ai/en/pricing). When limits are added to the OpenAPI spec, this page will stay in sync with `info.description` and endpoint `429` responses.
</Note>

## Limits by plan

| Plan               | Rate limit                           |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| **Free (Starter)** | *10 API calls per minute*            |
| **Pro**            | 100 API calls per minute             |
| **Enterprise**     | 5,000+ API calls per minute (custom) |

## Free tier during peak demand

The free tier may be **throttled below the stated limit** during peak usage so we can prioritize paid tier traffic. This is temporary and depends on overall platform load; you may see slower responses or stricter rate limiting even when you are under 10 requests per minute.

We reserve the right to throttle the free tier when needed to support paid tier usage, paid tier usage itself however will never be subject to throttling.

## Billing and tier behavior

* **Free tier:** Applies when you are on the Starter plan (no paid usage). The **10 requests per minute** limit applies.
* **Pro tier:** **100 requests per minute** when you have an active Pro plan or paid usage as described on [pricing](https://critique-labs.ai/en/pricing).
* **Token usage:** There is no token cap on the free tier; large queries may take longer to process.

## Fair use and abuse prevention

Creating **multiple accounts** (or otherwise splitting traffic across identities) to **circumvent rate limits** is prohibited.

If we determine that accounts are being used to bypass limits, we reserve the right to **suspend or permanently ban** those accounts, with or without prior notice.

## When you are rate limited

If you exceed your limit, the API may return an error such as:

```
Rate limited, please try again in a minute
```

<Tip>
  Implement exponential backoff, respect `Retry-After` when present, and cache responses where possible. See [Search](/api-reference/search) for endpoint details.
</Tip>

## Related

* [Pricing](https://critique-labs.ai/en/pricing) — current plan limits
* [API Keys](https://critique-labs.ai/en/billing) — manage your key and plan