> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.salad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with Salad AI Gateway

> Make your first API call to Salad AI Gateway in under 5 minutes.

*Last Updated: May 18, 2026*

<Warning>
  Salad AI Gateway is currently in **closed beta**. To request access, sign up at
  [salad.com/ai-gateway](https://salad.com/ai-gateway).
</Warning>

## Prerequisites

* A Salad API key — find it in the [portal](https://portal.salad.com/api-key) after you have been approved for beta
  access

## Base URL

All requests go to:

```
https://ai.salad.cloud/v1
```

## Authentication

Pass your Salad API key as a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header:

```
Authorization: Bearer <your-salad-api-key>
```

## Step 1: Test with curl

The quickest way to verify access is a single curl call:

```bash theme={null}
curl https://ai.salad.cloud/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SALAD_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "model": "qwen3.6-35b-a3b",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "user", "content": "Say hello in one sentence."}
    ]
  }'
```

You should receive a JSON response containing the model's reply.

## Step 2: Use the OpenAI Python SDK

Salad AI Gateway is fully compatible with the OpenAI Python SDK — just point it at a different base URL:

```bash theme={null}
pip install openai
```

```python theme={null}
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://ai.salad.cloud/v1",
    api_key="your-salad-api-key",
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="qwen3.6-35b-a3b",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Explain what Salad AI Gateway is in two sentences."}],
)

print(response.choices[0].message.content)
```

Store your key in an environment variable rather than hardcoding it:

```bash theme={null}
export SALAD_API_KEY=your-salad-api-key
```

```python theme={null}
import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://ai.salad.cloud/v1",
    api_key=os.environ["SALAD_API_KEY"],
)
```

## Step 3: Streaming

For real-time output, enable streaming:

```python theme={null}
import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://ai.salad.cloud/v1",
    api_key=os.environ["SALAD_API_KEY"],
)

stream = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="qwen3.6-35b-a3b",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Write a short poem about distributed computing."}],
    stream=True,
)

for chunk in stream:
    if chunk.choices[0].delta.content:
        print(chunk.choices[0].delta.content, end="", flush=True)
```

## Step 4: Use the OpenAI JavaScript/TypeScript SDK

```bash theme={null}
npm install openai
```

```javascript theme={null}
import OpenAI from 'openai'

const client = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: 'https://ai.salad.cloud/v1',
  apiKey: process.env.SALAD_API_KEY,
})

const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: 'qwen3.6-35b-a3b',
  messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hello from Salad AI Gateway!' }],
})

console.log(response.choices[0].message.content)
```

## Available Models

| Model             | Context Window | Best For                                 |
| :---------------- | :------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
| `qwen3.6-35b-a3b` | 262,144 tokens | Complex reasoning, agentic tasks, coding |
| `qwen3.6-27b`     | 262,144 tokens | Balanced capability and speed            |
| `qwen3.5-9b`      | 262,144 tokens | Fast responses, simple tasks             |

See the [Models Reference](/ai-gateway/reference/models) for full details.

## Next Steps

* Browse [integration guides](/ai-gateway/integrations/overview) for agentic tools, IDEs, and frameworks
* Read the [Models Reference](/ai-gateway/reference/models) to choose the right model for your use case