Rate limiting is a mechanism used to control the number of requests a user or application can make in a given time period. GitHub uses rate limits to ensure everyone has fair access to GitHub Copilot and to protect against abuse.

When you hit a rate limit, you may temporarily lose access to certain GitHub Copilot features or models, and you’ll see an error message informing you that you’ve been rate limited.

Why does GitHub use rate limits?

GitHub enforces rate limits for several reasons.

• Capacity: There is a limited amount of computing power available to serve all Copilot users. Rate limiting helps prevent the system from being overloaded.
• High usage: Popular features and models may receive bursts of requests. Rate limits ensure no single user or group can monopolize these resources.
• Fairness: Rate limits ensure that all users have equitable access to Copilot.
• Abuse mitigation: Without rate limits, malicious actors could exploit Copilot, leading to degraded service for everyone or even denial of service.

What to do if you are rate limited

If you receive a rate limit error when using Copilot, you should:

• Wait and try again. Rate limits are temporary. Often, waiting a short period and trying again resolves the issue.
• Check your usage. If you’re making frequent or automated requests (for example, rapid-fire completions or large-scale usage), consider adjusting your usage pattern.
• Change your model. Preview models may have stricter rate limits due to limited capacity.
• Contact Support. If you’re repeatedly rate limited and believe it’s impacting legitimate use, contact GitHub Support for assistance.