Format the quota/limit style guide. (#21017)

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Sam Roberts
2026-03-03 13:37:05 -08:00
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# Style Guide: Quota vs. Limit
This guide defines the usage of "quota," "limit," and related terms in user-facing interfaces.
This guide defines the usage of "quota," "limit," and related terms in
user-facing interfaces.
## TL;DR
- **`quota`**: The administrative "bucket." Use for settings, billing, and requesting increases. (e.g., "Adjust your storage **quota**.")
- **`limit`**: The real-time numerical "ceiling." Use for error messages when a user is blocked. (e.g., "You've reached your request **limit**.")
- **When blocked, combine them:** Explain the **limit** that was hit and the **quota** that is the remedy. (e.g., "You've reached the request **limit** for your developer **quota**.")
- **Related terms:** Use `usage` for consumption tracking, `restriction` for fixed rules, and `reset` for when a limit refreshes.
- **`quota`**: The administrative "bucket." Use for settings, billing, and
requesting increases. (e.g., "Adjust your storage **quota**.")
- **`limit`**: The real-time numerical "ceiling." Use for error messages when a
user is blocked. (e.g., "You've reached your request **limit**.")
- **When blocked, combine them:** Explain the **limit** that was hit and the
**quota** that is the remedy. (e.g., "You've reached the request **limit** for
your developer **quota**.")
- **Related terms:** Use `usage` for consumption tracking, `restriction` for
fixed rules, and `reset` for when a limit refreshes.
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@@ -15,31 +21,41 @@ This guide defines the usage of "quota," "limit," and related terms in user-faci
### Definitions
- **Quota is the "what":** It identifies the category of resource being managed (e.g., storage quota, GPU quota, request/prompt quota).
- **Quota is the "what":** It identifies the category of resource being managed
(e.g., storage quota, GPU quota, request/prompt quota).
- **Limit is the "how much":** It defines the numerical boundary.
Use **quota** when referring to the administrative concept or the request for more. Use **limit** when discussing the specific point of exhaustion.
Use **quota** when referring to the administrative concept or the request for
more. Use **limit** when discussing the specific point of exhaustion.
### When to use "quota"
Use this term for **account management, billing, and settings.** It describes the entitlement the user has purchased or been assigned.
Use this term for **account management, billing, and settings.** It describes
the entitlement the user has purchased or been assigned.
**Examples:**
- **Navigation label:** Quota and usage
- **Contextual help:** Your **usage quota** is managed by your organization. To request an increase, contact your administrator.
- **Contextual help:** Your **usage quota** is managed by your organization. To
request an increase, contact your administrator.
### When to use "limit"
Use this term for **real-time feedback, notifications, and error messages.** It identifies the specific wall the user just hit.
Use this term for **real-time feedback, notifications, and error messages.** It
identifies the specific wall the user just hit.
**Examples:**
- **Error message:** Youve reached the 50-request-per-minute **limit**.
- **Inline warning:** Input exceeds the 32k token **limit**.
### How to use both together
When a user is blocked, combine both terms to explain the **event** (limit) and the **remedy** (quota).
When a user is blocked, combine both terms to explain the **event** (limit) and
the **remedy** (quota).
**Example:**
- **Heading:** Daily usage limit reached
- **Body:** You've reached the maximum daily capacity for your developer quota. To continue working today, upgrade your quota.
- **Body:** You've reached the maximum daily capacity for your developer quota.
To continue working today, upgrade your quota.