Feature
Smart AI Model Routing: Auto-Select the Best LLM for Every Task
April 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Different AI tasks need different models. Code generation works best with Claude Sonnet. Math problems suit DeepSeek R1. Simple chat is fine with Qwen Turbo at 1/50th the cost. But who wants to manage model selection logic?
How Smart Routing Works
Set model="auto" and AIPower picks the optimal model based on your prompt:
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(base_url="https://api.aipower.me/v1", api_key="YOUR_KEY")
# Let AI decide
r = client.chat.completions.create(
model="auto",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Write a Python function"}],
)
# → Routes to best coding model automatically6 Routing Modes
| Route | Routes To | Best For |
|---|---|---|
auto | DeepSeek V3 | General tasks (best value) |
auto-code | Claude Sonnet | Code generation & review |
auto-best | Claude Opus | Complex reasoning |
auto-cheap | Doubao Pro | Budget tasks ($0.06/M) |
auto-fast | Qwen Turbo | Fastest response time |
auto-free | GLM-4 Flash | Nearly free ($0.01/M) |
Real-World Savings
A typical application sends a mix of simple and complex queries. With smart routing:
- Simple queries (60% of traffic) → Qwen Turbo ($0.08/M) instead of GPT-5.4 ($3.75/M)
- Code tasks (25%) → Claude Sonnet ($4.50/M) — the best tool for the job
- Complex reasoning (15%) → Claude Opus ($7.50/M) — only when needed
Result: 70-80% cost reduction vs using a single premium model for everything.
Try smart routing with 50 free API calls at aipower.me.