What’s an API?
An API is a tool that "connects" two programs and allows them to exchange information, even though they were built separately and don’t “know” each other. For example, if you log work hours in Toggl Track and want them to show in another program, you can use the Toggl Track API to connect the programs instead of manually exporting your data.
How to Reduce API Usage
Efficient management of API usage can ensure uninterrupted operations. Consider implementing the following strategies:
Optimize Third-Party Tools: Applications like Zapier might make frequent API calls. Lowering polling frequency can reduce unnecessary usage.
Add Caching Solutions: Internal tools accessing Toggl data should employ caching mechanisms to limit repeated API requests over short intervals.
Audit Automations: Identify and disable redundant or unnecessary automated processes that may generate excessive API calls. Employing these strategies can help optimize your workflows and better manage consumption limits.
The second program (the "connected” program to Toggl Track) sends a request to our API saying, “Give me all the time entries for this user for the past week.” Our API instantly replies with the data—things like the project name, how long you worked, and when. Tl;dr: You store lots of data in Toggl Track, and our API lets you use it in lots of ways depending on your workflow and needs.
And how am I using this API?
People can use our API through a few different methods: most will directly utilize our API documentation to self-build solutions to “call” our API for the needed data. If you’ve never built anything with an API, you may be using an integration or third-party service that uses our API. This includes services like Zapier and Make, third-party apps like Timery, and integration solutions like Atlassian Marketplace integrations between Toggl and JIRA. If you use any of these, they will count towards your API limit.
If you suspect unauthorized or excessive usage, you can reset your API token from the API token page in Toggl. Resetting disconnects any current integrations and helps prevent unauthorized use.
This is great, but how can I track how much of my API limit I’ve used?
We are introducing options for users to better monitor their API use:
This feature is being actively rolled out and will help users see their limits visually in one central place. Until its release is finalized, users can monitor their consumption through system logs or other internal tracking.
Users will be able to see a “meter” in their My Profile Page that will show how many requests they have left.
Usage amounts will also be displayed within response headers; when using an API call, the response header will show the amount of requests left for the account.
You can also use an endpoint to get the API quote, as described here.
And what if I go over the limit?
If you primarily use API calls, any call that would put you over our limit will simply not go through. If you use a third-party service or app/integration, how they display the failure information will vary depending on how the service chooses to deal with the limits.
To troubleshoot limit notifications, you can check for external applications making excessive API requests and adjust them accordingly. Toggl provides custom headers in responses to indicate remaining API requests, helping identify overuse sources in real-time.