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 ($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 10 free API calls at aipower.me.
GET STARTED WITH AIPOWER
16 AI models. One API. OpenAI SDK compatible.
Who should use AIPower?
- • Developers needing both Chinese and Western AI models
- • Chinese teams that can't access OpenAI / Anthropic directly
- • Startups wanting multi-model redundancy through one API
- • Anyone tired of paying grey-market intermediary premiums
3 steps to first API call
- Sign up — email only, 10 free trial calls, no card
- Copy your API key from the dashboard
- Change
base_urlin your OpenAI SDK → done
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
base_url="https://api.aipower.me/v1", # ← only change
api_key="sk-your-aipower-key",
)
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="auto-cheap", # or anthropic/claude-opus, deepseek/deepseek-chat, openai/gpt-5, etc.
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}],
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)+100 bonus calls on first $5 top-up · WeChat Pay + Alipay + card accepted · docs · security