Are you encountering the "Clio rate limit reached" error while using App Connect with Clio? We've compiled a few practical tips to help you avoid this issue and ensure a smoother workflow.

Understanding the Issue

This error typically arises due to a surge of API requests made to Clio, resulting in Clio blocking these requests to protect its service. This practice is called “rate limiting.” Clio does not provide an option to customize rate limits, making it essential for users to adapt. App Connect is generally efficient with API calls; however, the nature of Clio’s API can sometimes lead to this error.

One main factor is that Clio's API is strict about looking up contacts via phone numbers—a feature heavily used by App Connect. Frequently, App Connect may need to make up to five API calls in quick succession to locate a single contact, increasing the likelihood of triggering Clio's rate limit, especially during extensive call logging sessions.

Short-Term Solution

Patience is key. When you encounter the rate limit error, wait for a while before trying again. This short downtime allows Clio to reset the rate limit and continue processing requests.

Long-Term Solutions

• Format Phone Numbers in Clio Using E.164 Format: This international phone number format is the default format for RingCentral. Proper formatting ensures more efficient API calls, making contact searches successful in fewer attempts.
• Utilize Zapier for Automated Formatting: Updating phone numbers manually can be tedious. Creating a Zapier "zap" to automatically reformat phone numbers when contacts are created or updated in Clio can save you time and reduce rate limit issues.

While these solutions can help mitigate the rate limit problem, we also encourage users to collectively urge Clio to enhance the flexibility of their API. Together, we can advocate for improvements that benefit all users.