How can I modify the Statamic REST API rate limit in Laravel without causing middleware conflicts?

Below is an explanation of what’s happening and one recommended path to fix it.

What’s Happening

Your custom route in routes/web.php is wrapping all calls to the Statamic API. When you return a simple JSON response you “bypass” the original Statamic controllers so you don’t see further processing. However, when you try to forward the request (for example, with app()->handle(request())), you are essentially re-dispatching the very same request. This means the throttle middleware is applied again – and since your rate limiter is set to only allow one request per minute, it immediately returns a 429 response once the limit is hit.

In short, the throttle middleware isn’t “wrapping” the Statamic API in the sense of letting it run normally until the limit is reached. It simply limits every incoming request and, when the limit is exceeded, returns its own response.

How to Fix It

There are two main approaches:

1. Adjust the Underlying Statamic API Rate Limiting

Statamic publishes its own route definitions and applies its own rate limiting. If your desire is to simply change the allowed rate, you may want to modify Statamic’s own API rate limit. Often this is done by publishing Statamic’s API routes/configuration instead of overriding them in your routes file. Check the Statamic documentation (see Statamic REST API – Rate Limiting) for guidance on customizing the limit (for example, changing it from 60 to a value that suits your need).

2. Isolate Your Throttle Middleware from the “Re-Dispatch”

If you really need to wrap the Statamic routes with your own throttle middleware (for example, to have a centralized control), then do not re-dispatch the request using app()->handle(request()); that causes the middleware stack (and rate limiter) to be applied twice. Instead, let the Statamic routes be loaded directly. For example, instead of:

PHPCopied
Route::middleware(['throttle:api'])
    ->prefix(config('statamic.api.route', 'api'))
    ->group(function () {
        Route::any('{any}', function ($any) {
            // When returning this custom response the logs work fine.
            return response()->json([
                'message' => 'Statamic API request handled with rate limiting.'
            ]);
        })->where('any', '.*');
    });

…consider either:

• Option A: Removing your closure override so that the statamic API controller is called automatically. This would only work if Statamic’s own routes are properly registered and you’re simply adjusting the throttle limits via your service provider (or via a published configuration).

• Option B: If for some reason you must re-dispatch the request, then “cut out” the throttle on the inner dispatch. One way is to create a new route (or a controller action) that calls the Statamic API logic directly. For instance, if Statamic’s API logic lives in a controller (say, Statamic\Http\Controllers\APIController), you can do this:

  PHPCopied
  Route::middleware(['throttle:api'])
      ->prefix(config('statamic.api.route', 'api'))
      ->group(function () {
          Route::any('{any}', function ($any, Request $request) {
              // Call the API controller without re-triggering throttle.
              return app(\Statamic\Http\Controllers\APIController::class)->handle($request);
          })->where('any', '.*');
      });

  Note: You’ll have to be sure the controller you’re calling does not itself re-apply the throttling middleware—otherwise you face the same issue.

Final Recommendations

• Prefer modifying Statamic’s built‑in configuration: If the docs say the default is 60, then look for the Statamic config file that sets that value and change it there. This is the most straightforward way when you simply wish to change the limit value.
• Don’t re-dispatch the request through app()->handle(request()) when you have throttle already being applied. Re-dispatching re-runs every middleware and may cause the rate limiter to immediately return a 429 response.

By ensuring that the throttle middleware is applied only once (or adjusting the underlying Statamic API configuration), you can allow normal processing until the limit is truly exceeded.

Hope this helps clear up the issue!