Getting startedReference / 01
Introduction
What RouterPlex is and how it fits into your stack.
RouterPlex is a multi-model API with both OpenAI-compatible and Anthropic-compatible request formats. One key, one balance — every model we serve, from GPT and Claude to Gemini, DeepSeek, Kimi and Qwen.
OpenAI base URL: https://api.routerplex.com/v1
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Anthropic base URL: https://api.routerplex.com — the Anthropic SDK appends /v1/messages.
How it works #
- You create an account and verify your email.
- You can run one bounded live route proof from the dashboard before paying. It uses a fixed server-side prompt; no card, API key, or balance is required.
- Top up from $5, create an API key in the dashboard, and point any OpenAI-compatible SDK, IDE, or agent at
https://api.routerplex.com/v1. - You pick a model by its ID (for example
gpt-5.5,claude-opus-4-8,gemini-3.1-pro) — same request shape for all of them. - Every paid request deducts its exact token cost from your prepaid balance. No subscription required.
What's supported #
| Capability | Status |
|---|---|
Chat completions (/v1/chat/completions) | All 39 chat models |
| Streaming (SSE) | Supported |
| Function calling / tools | Supported, model-dependent |
| Vision (image inputs) | Supported, model-dependent |
| JSON mode / structured output | Supported, model-dependent |
Image generation (/v1/images/generations) | Supported — gpt-image-2 |
Responses API (/v1/responses) | Supported for Codex custom providers |
Model list (/v1/models) | Supported |
Anthropic-compatible /v1/messages format | All 39 chat models — use the Anthropic SDK or point Claude Code straight at RouterPlex |
Where to go next #
- Quickstart — first request in under a minute.
- Anthropic Messages — call any chat model with the Anthropic SDK and wire format.
- IDEs & editors and Agents & CLIs — use RouterPlex inside Cursor, VS Code, Zed, OpenClaw, OpenCode, Codex CLI, Aider and more.
- Models — the live catalog with per-token pricing.