# Retrying HTTP Requests

When working with external APIs, network failures and temporary service outages are inevitable. The `retry` option in `lam.httpRequest` and `lam.httpRequests` allows you to automatically retry failed requests.

The retry functionality is **optional;** just add a `retry` object with `maxAttempts` to your HTTP request.

**Important:** Retries are not enabled by default. You must explicitly specify retry behaviour when creating your workflow steps.<br>

**`retry` Properties**

<table><thead><tr><th width="200.11328125">Property</th><th width="148.4609375">Type</th><th width="206.83203125">Default</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>maxAttempts</td><td>int</td><td>required</td><td>Total number of attempts (1 = no<br>retry)</td></tr><tr><td>strategy</td><td>string</td><td>exponential</td><td>"exponential" or "fixed"</td></tr><tr><td>initialDelay</td><td>string/number</td><td>1s</td><td>First retry delay</td></tr><tr><td>maxDelay</td><td>string/number</td><td>30s</td><td>Maximum delay cap</td></tr><tr><td>multiplier</td><td>double</td><td>2.0</td><td>Exponential backoff multiplier</td></tr><tr><td>retryableStatusCodes</td><td>array[int]</td><td>[429,500,502,503,504]</td><td>HTTP status codes to retry</td></tr><tr><td>retryableExceptions</td><td>array[string]</td><td>["timeout","connection"]</td><td>Exception types to retry</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Example:** Suppose we're processing orders and need to reliably send them to external fulfillment services that occasionally experience temporary outages.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Send Order to Primary Warehouse (With Retry)

```javascript
(data) => {
  const { input } = data;

  return {
    "lam.httpRequest": {
      method: "POST",
      url: "{{config.primaryWarehouseUrl}}/api/orders",
      headers: {
        Authorization: "Bearer {{config.warehouseApiKey}}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
      },
      body: {
        orderId: input.orderId,
        items: input.items,
        priority: "high",
        shippingAddress: input.shippingAddress,
      },
      // added here
      retry: {
        maxAttempts: 3,
      },
    },
  };
};
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Update Multiple Services (Batch Retry)

```javascript
(data) => {
  const { input } = data;
  const fulfillmentResponse = data.step_2.response || data.step_1.response;

  return {
    "lam.httpRequests": [
      {
        method: "PUT",
        url: `{{config.orderServiceUrl}}/orders/${input.orderId}/status`,
        headers: {
          Authorization: "Bearer {{config.orderServiceKey}}",
        },
        body: {
          status: "processing",
          trackingNumber: fulfillmentResponse.trackingNumber,
          warehouse: fulfillmentResponse.warehouseId,
        },
        // added here
        retry: {
          maxAttempts: 2,
        },
      },
      {
        method: "POST",
        url: "{{config.notificationServiceUrl}}/send-confirmation",
        headers: {
          Authorization: "Bearer {{config.notificationKey}}",
        },
        body: {
          customerId: input.customerId,
          orderId: input.orderId,
          trackingNumber: fulfillmentResponse.trackingNumber,
          type: "order_confirmed",
        },
        // added here
        retry: {
          maxAttempts: 4,
        },
      },
    ],
  };
};
```

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


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