diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index 7638d8a51..735832744 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -1702,6 +1702,11 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             # In DMs: offer pairing code. In groups: silently ignore.
             if source.chat_type == "dm" and self._get_unauthorized_dm_behavior(source.platform) == "pair":
                 platform_name = source.platform.value if source.platform else "unknown"
+                # Rate-limit ALL pairing responses (code or rejection) to
+                # prevent spamming the user with repeated messages when
+                # multiple DMs arrive in quick succession.
+                if self.pairing_store._is_rate_limited(platform_name, source.user_id):
+                    return None
                 code = self.pairing_store.generate_code(
                     platform_name, source.user_id, source.user_name or ""
                 )
@@ -1723,6 +1728,8 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                             "Too many pairing requests right now~ "
                             "Please try again later!"
                         )
+                    # Record rate limit so subsequent messages are silently ignored
+                    self.pairing_store._record_rate_limit(platform_name, source.user_id)
             return None
         
         # PRIORITY handling when an agent is already running for this session.
diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py b/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py
index 02aae301c..25b51dc2f 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ def _make_runner(platform: Platform, config: GatewayConfig):
     runner.adapters = {platform: adapter}
     runner.pairing_store = MagicMock()
     runner.pairing_store.is_approved.return_value = False
+    runner.pairing_store._is_rate_limited.return_value = False
     return runner, adapter
 
 
@@ -142,6 +143,56 @@ async def test_unauthorized_whatsapp_dm_can_be_ignored(monkeypatch):
     adapter.send.assert_not_awaited()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_rate_limited_user_gets_no_response(monkeypatch):
+    """When a user is already rate-limited, pairing messages are silently ignored."""
+    _clear_auth_env(monkeypatch)
+    config = GatewayConfig(
+        platforms={Platform.WHATSAPP: PlatformConfig(enabled=True)},
+    )
+    runner, adapter = _make_runner(Platform.WHATSAPP, config)
+    runner.pairing_store._is_rate_limited.return_value = True
+
+    result = await runner._handle_message(
+        _make_event(
+            Platform.WHATSAPP,
+            "15551234567@s.whatsapp.net",
+            "15551234567@s.whatsapp.net",
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert result is None
+    runner.pairing_store.generate_code.assert_not_called()
+    adapter.send.assert_not_awaited()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_rejection_message_records_rate_limit(monkeypatch):
+    """After sending a 'too many requests' rejection, rate limit is recorded
+    so subsequent messages are silently ignored."""
+    _clear_auth_env(monkeypatch)
+    config = GatewayConfig(
+        platforms={Platform.WHATSAPP: PlatformConfig(enabled=True)},
+    )
+    runner, adapter = _make_runner(Platform.WHATSAPP, config)
+    runner.pairing_store.generate_code.return_value = None  # triggers rejection
+
+    result = await runner._handle_message(
+        _make_event(
+            Platform.WHATSAPP,
+            "15551234567@s.whatsapp.net",
+            "15551234567@s.whatsapp.net",
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert result is None
+    adapter.send.assert_awaited_once()
+    assert "Too many" in adapter.send.await_args.args[1]
+    runner.pairing_store._record_rate_limit.assert_called_once_with(
+        "whatsapp", "15551234567@s.whatsapp.net"
+    )
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_global_ignore_suppresses_pairing_reply(monkeypatch):
     _clear_auth_env(monkeypatch)