> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://upstash-dx-2829-developer-api-docs-refresh.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rate and Period

The rate specifies the maximum number of requests allowed in a given period (time window).

```typescript Configure Retry Attempt Count theme={"system"}
import { Client } from "@upstash/workflow";

const client = new Client({ token: "<QSTASH_TOKEN>" })

const { workflowRunId } = await client.trigger({
  url: "https://<YOUR_WORKFLOW_ENDPOINT>/<YOUR-WORKFLOW-ROUTE>",
  flowControl: {
    key: "user-signup",
    rate: 10,
    period: 100,
  }
})
```

**Example**:
If `rate = 2` and `period = 1 minute`, then **a maximum of 2 steps** can be executed per minute.

The first 2 requests within the minute are executed immediately:

<Frame caption="Steps are executed within limit">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/upstash-dx-2829-developer-api-docs-refresh/nEV9Yy3mLDaIw2sI/img/workflow/rate_1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=nEV9Yy3mLDaIw2sI&q=85&s=5da4be21447b115c1fc757d1a9480cc1" width="2342" height="848" data-path="img/workflow/rate_1.png" />
</Frame>

The 3rd request in the same minute is not executed immediately:

<Frame caption="A new step cannot execute immediately">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/upstash-dx-2829-developer-api-docs-refresh/nEV9Yy3mLDaIw2sI/img/workflow/rate_2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=nEV9Yy3mLDaIw2sI&q=85&s=09b47291a10cf69b50041c850d7629c8" width="2342" height="848" data-path="img/workflow/rate_2.png" />
</Frame>

Instead of rejecting it, Workflow schedules the request in the next available time window:

<Frame caption="The new step is moved to the next time window">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/upstash-dx-2829-developer-api-docs-refresh/nEV9Yy3mLDaIw2sI/img/workflow/rate_3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=nEV9Yy3mLDaIw2sI&q=85&s=db7dc213d4984db38a2019636853a3ce" width="2342" height="848" data-path="img/workflow/rate_3.png" />
</Frame>

Note that step executions may take longer than the defined period.
The rate limit only controls how many steps are **started** within each time window,
it does not limit their execution duration.