Jitter (retry)
Adding a random delay to retry intervals to prevent multiple failed workflows from all retrying at exactly the same time which would create a thundering herd that overwhelms the recovering API. Jitter spreads retries across a time window.
Expert insight
Adding random jitter to retry delays (rather than every failed request retrying at the exact same interval) prevents the "thundering herd" problem where many clients that failed at the same moment all retry simultaneously and overwhelm the recovering service again, a small randomization that meaningfully improves recovery behavior at scale.
In a real workflow
Retries are spread by a random delay so thousands of clients do not retry at the same instant.
Common mistakes
- No jitter, causing synchronized retry storms.
- Random delays that are too long.
Complexity level
Technical term used in production automation systems.
Related terms
Retry logic
Automatic re-execution of a failed automation step after a delay. Best practice …
Backoff (exponential)
A retry strategy where each successive retry waits progressively longer e.g., 10…
Rate limit backpressure
Slowing down the producer of a workflow (e.g., a data import) when the consumer …
See it in action
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