How to Integrate Gate.AI: Quick Start for Developers

Gate.AI API integration allows developers to access multiple AI models through an OpenAI-compatible API, enabling unified model access, routing, and testing from one integration point. For developers building chatbots, internal tools, agents, workflow automation, or model evaluation scripts, this reduces the need to maintain separate SDK setups for every model provider. This guide covers API key creation, auto routing, manual model selection, the OpenAI-compatible base URL, first request testing, and common setup errors; it does not cover advanced enterprise governance, billing policy design, or custom security architecture.

Prerequisites:

• A Gate.AI account with access to Console settings.
• A working local environment with Python, Node.js, or curl.

What Will You Be Able to Do After This Guide?

After completing this guide, you will be able to create a Gate.AI API key, configure the OpenAI-compatible base URL, send a first API request using model: "auto", and test a specific model ID.

What Can Developers Build with Gate.AI API Integration?

Developers can use Gate.AI API integration to build applications that need access to multiple model families through one OpenAI-compatible request format. Typical use cases include:

Use model: "auto" when you want Gate.AI routing to select a model automatically. Use a specific model ID when your application requires repeatable behavior from a named model.

What Do You Need Before Starting?

You only need two blocking items before starting:

Do not start by choosing every possible model. First confirm that your API key and base URL work, then test manual model selection.

Step 1: Create a Gate.AI API Key

This step creates the credential your application will use to authenticate API requests.

Action:

1. Go to gate.ai.
2. Choose a login method and authorize your account.
3. Open Console → Settings → API keys.
4. Select Create a key.
5. Copy the API key immediately and store it securely.

You should see the new API key listed in the API key area. If the secret value is only shown once, copy the secret before closing the creation window.

Step 2: Choose Auto Routing or Manual Model Selection

This step decides whether Gate.AI selects a model automatically or your request names a specific model.

Action:

1. Open Console → Settings → Routing.
2. Check the Auto routing toggle.
3. Keep auto routing enabled if you want Gate.AI to choose a model for each request.
4. Use manual model selection if you want to pass a specific model ID in the request body.

Auto routing is useful for quick starts and general routing tests. Manual selection is better when you need repeatable evaluation against one named model.

Step 3: Configure the OpenAI-Compatible Base URL

This step points your existing OpenAI-style client to Gate.AI instead of the default OpenAI endpoint.

Use this base URL:

https://api.gate.ai/openai/v1

Use this authentication format:

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

The Gate.AI docs specify that the API path is /openai/v1, not only /v1, as of June 2026. Keep the full base URL exactly as shown.

Most integration errors happen because the base URL is shortened or the API key is copied incorrectly. Confirm these two values before changing model settings.

Step 4: Send Your First API Request

This step tests whether the API key, base URL, and OpenAI-compatible chat format work together.

Python example:

from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
    api_key="YOUR_API_KEY",
    base_url="https://api.gate.ai/openai/v1",
)
completion = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="auto",
    messages=[
        {"role": "system", "content": "You are a concise assistant."},
        {"role": "user", "content": "Say hello from Gate.AI."}
    ],
)
print(completion.choices[0].message.content)

Node.js example:

import OpenAI from "openai";
const client = new OpenAI({
  apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY",
  baseURL: "https://api.gate.ai/openai/v1",
});
const completion = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: "auto",
  messages: [
    { role: "system", content: "You are a concise assistant." },
    { role: "user", content: "Say hello from Gate.AI." }
  ],
});
console.log(completion.choices[0].message.content);

curl example:

curl https://api.gate.ai/openai/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "auto",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "system", "content": "You are a concise assistant."},
      {"role": "user", "content": "Say hello from Gate.AI."}
    ]
  }'

You should receive a normal assistant response. If the request returns an authentication error, check the API key before changing the code.

Step 5: Test a Specific Model ID

This step confirms that manual model selection works when your application needs a named model.

Change the model value from auto to a specific supported model ID:

from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
    api_key="YOUR_API_KEY",
    base_url="https://api.gate.ai/openai/v1",
)
completion = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "Explain model routing in one paragraph."}
    ],
)
print(completion.choices[0].message.content)

Use the model ID exactly as shown in Gate.AI model documentation or the Gate.AI model list. If the model name is mistyped, the request may fail even when the API key and base URL are correct.

How Does Gate.AI Auto Routing Work in API Requests?

Gate.AI auto routing uses model: "auto" in the request body and the routing configuration in the Gate.AI console to select a model for the request. As of June 2026, the available routing controls are managed in Console → Settings → Routing.

Auto routing is not the same as leaving the model field blank. Keep the model field present and use auto when you want Gate.AI to route the request.

Which Integration Method Should You Use?

Choose the integration method based on where your application already runs.

For most developers, curl is the quickest verification step, while Python or Node.js is the better application integration path.

Why Is the Gate.AI API Request Not Working?

Use this checklist before rewriting your integration.

Start troubleshooting from authentication, then base URL, then model ID. These three checks resolve most quick-start failures.

What Can You Configure Next?

After the first request works, developers can expand the integration in three directions:

• Configure model routing behavior in the Gate.AI console: https://gate.ai/docs
• Review model availability and choose fixed model IDs for production tests: https://gate.ai/models
• Compare pricing before selecting models for high-volume workloads: https://gate.ai/pricing

FAQ

Why should I use model: "auto" first?

Use model: "auto" first because it verifies API key, base URL, request format, and routing in one simple test. After that works, test a specific model ID.

Can I use my existing OpenAI SDK with Gate.AI?

Yes. Gate.AI supports an OpenAI-compatible API format. Set the Gate.AI API key and replace the base URL with https://api.gate.ai/openai/v1.

Why does my request fail after switching to a specific model?

The model ID may be unavailable, misspelled, or unsupported for your account. Confirm the exact model ID in Gate.AI model documentation, then retry.

Do I need to disable auto routing to use a specific model?

Not always. You can pass a specific model ID in the request body when you want manual model selection. Check Console routing settings if behavior does not match expectations.