Rate limiting is a mechanism that controls the number of requests a client or all clients can make within a specified time interval. It ensures that the system operates efficiently and prevents excessive or abusive request patterns.

The following table summarizes the goals of implementing rate limiting:
Goal Description
Prevent excessive requests Avoid abusive or accidental high-frequency tool invocations.
Ensure fairness Provide per-client fairness by default and allow a simpler global cap when required.
Enable auditing Emit structured audit events for both allow and deny decisions.
Support development flexibility Allow rate limiting to be easily disabled during early development.