Guides ยท Technology

API Retry Policy Design

Retry without causing storms

Designing retries means retrying only retryable errors, using exponential backoff with jitter, capping attempts, coordinating with idempotency keys, and surfacing Retry-After guidance to clients.

Classify

Retry transient errors/timeouts; avoid retrying 4xx logic errors.

Backoff

Use exponential backoff with jitter and caps on attempts/time.

Coordinate

Use idempotency keys; honor Retry-After; prevent thundering herd.

Keep Exploring

Related Terms

One useful idea at a time

Get new explainers in your inbox

Occasional clear explanations. No daily noise.