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Chat Rate Limits

Chat send is rate-limited to prevent spam and protect the channel’s bot account from platform bans.

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Limits

ScopeLimit
Per widget5 messages per 60 seconds
Message length500 characters max

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What Happens When Rate Limited

Messages that exceed the limit are dropped. chat.send() returns false when the message wasn’t delivered. 
const sent = await SBCanvas.chat.send('Hello!');
if (!sent) {
  console.log('Rate limited, message not sent');
}

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Safe Sending Pattern

Space out messages to stay within limits: 
let lastSend = 0;
const MIN_INTERVAL = 12000; // 12 seconds = max 5 per minute

async function safeSend(message) {
  const now = Date.now();
  if (now - lastSend < MIN_INTERVAL) return false;
  lastSend = now;
  return await SBCanvas.chat.send(message);
}

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Queued Sending

For widgets that generate many messages, queue and space them: 
SBCanvas.service.register('chat-queue', {
  init() {
    this.queue = [];
    this.interval = SBCanvas.setInterval(() => {
      if (this.queue.length > 0) {
        const msg = this.queue.shift();
        SBCanvas.chat.send(msg);
      }
    }, 12000);
  },

  dispose() {
    SBCanvas.clearTimer(this.interval);
  },

  send(message) {
    if (this.queue.length < 10) {
      this.queue.push(message);
    }
  }
});

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Best Practices

  • Don’t send a message for every single follow or sub — batch them or use a threshold
  • Use SBCanvas.preview.isActive to skip sends during testing
  • Keep messages short and relevant to your stream
  • Consider your audience — spammy bot messages are annoying