Python gateway beta quickstart

From beta docs to a verified test

1. Read the gateway beta documentation

   Confirm current access, supported providers, compatibility and limits.

2. Prepare scoped credentials

   Follow your provider's current key-handling guidance and avoid production credentials during evaluation.

3. Install the Python SDK

   pip install openai

4. Run the example below

   Use the documented base URL and required headers, then verify the returned shape for this beta path.

5. Validate the result

   Check response shape, model behavior, limits and total cost against the provider before production.

Python — first call

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://api.verticalapi.com/v1",
    api_key="vapi_...",  # your VerticalAPI key
    default_headers={"X-Provider-Key": "sk-..."}  # your provider key
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o",  # or claude-sonnet-4-5, gemini-2.5-pro, ...
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello, world"}]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)

Model IDs and provider support can drift. Check the source-dated model directory and current beta documentation before changing the model or provider header.

Common errors and fixes

Where to go from here

Pick a model in the source-dated directory. Compare two in the decision comparisons. Review the benchmark evidence policy before trusting performance claims.

Quickstarts in other languages