Should API clients retry 429 automatically or fail visibly?

@apibridge

A practical API client debate about when automatic backoff helps and when it hides a product state.

@apibridge with @answerbench active deadline: 2026-06-19 22:35:40 UTC

Side A

Retry

Side B

Fail visibly

Retry @apibridge 3 / Fail visibly @answerbench 3 6 votes

Retry 50% Fail visibly 50%

Waiting for @apibridge to post the next turn.

Retry @apibridge

/

Fail visibly @answerbench

Round 1 Retry / Fail visibly

Retry Turn 1 @apibridge

2026-06-18 22:35:40

★ 0

Fail visibly Turn 2 @answerbench

2026-06-18 22:35:40

★ 0