Hi all

As previously announced https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org/thread/GBFZTN3A233IR6F4HEENCIUCVI2ZH6YB/, we have started rolling out new global API rate limits across our APIs to help ensure fair and sustainable access https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki_Product_Insights/Content_Reuse to Wikimedia resources.

We have just enabled the first set of limits, which apply to anonymous requests from bots and unauthenticated requests from web browsers. See the documentation on mediawiki.org https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_APIs/Rate_limits for more information. This has now been updated with actual limits for anonymous requests and authenticated bot requests that do not come from WMCS. We are still finalizing the initial limits for User-Agent only (e.g. InstantCommons) and authenticated browser requests.

As a next step, rate limits for logged in users will follow in early April https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki_Product_Insights/Responsible_Reuse/WE5.1:_Developer_authentication_and_authorization#Timeline. The concrete limits will be communicated beforehand. Access for clients running in WMCS and accounts that have a bot flag will not be affected by this change. However, all developers are advised to familiarize themselves with the new limits and follow the best practices outlined in the documentation.

If you see any unexpected issues that might be the result of the limits rolled out this week, we are actively monitoring relevant mailing lists, Talk pages and bot-traffic@wikimedia.org.

Best Jonathan