# Quickstart

Make an authenticated request, understand `auto`, and inspect the selected provider.

> Verification: contract-tested; checked 2026-09-01; curl, Laminarity public OpenAPI 3.1

## 1. Create a project key

Create an API key in the Laminarity dashboard and store it as `LAMINARITY_API_KEY`. Keys are shown once and must only be used in trusted server-side environments.

```bash
export LAMINARITY_API_KEY=pr-...
```

## 2. List the models available to the key

The models endpoint is authenticated and filtered by the key's project policies and price caps. `auto` appears first when at least one concrete model is eligible.

```bash
curl https://api.laminarity.ai/v1/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LAMINARITY_API_KEY"
```

## 3. Create a chat completion

Use `model: "auto"` to let Laminarity select an eligible model and automatically fall back when appropriate.

```bash
curl https://api.laminarity.ai/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LAMINARITY_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "auto",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "developer", "content": "Answer concisely."},
      {"role": "user", "content": "Why is the sky blue?"}
    ],
    "max_completion_tokens": 300
  }'
```

## 4. Read the routing result

Responses retain the OpenAI chat-completions shape and add `router_metadata`. It records the selected provider and model, routing reason, latency, and fallback details. OpenAI-compatible clients may ignore this additive field; use the raw response when your application needs it.

> Note: Passing a concrete model id skips Laminarity model selection and automatic fallback. Use `auto` when you want routing.