---
title: "Overview"
description: "Use Bifrost as a drop-in replacement for OpenAI API with full compatibility and enhanced features."
icon: "book"
---

## Overview

Bifrost provides complete OpenAI API compatibility through protocol adaptation. The integration handles request transformation, response normalization, and error mapping between OpenAI's API specification and Bifrost's internal processing pipeline.

This integration enables you to utilize Bifrost's features like governance, load balancing, semantic caching, multi-provider support, and more, all while preserving your existing OpenAI SDK-based architecture.

**Endpoint:** `/openai`

---

## Setup

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python {5}
import openai

# Configure client to use Bifrost
client = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="dummy-key"  # Keys handled by Bifrost
)

# Make requests as usual
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
)

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

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript {5}
import OpenAI from "openai";

// Configure client to use Bifrost
const openai = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "dummy-key", // Keys handled by Bifrost
});

// Make requests as usual
const response = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "gpt-4o-mini",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello!" }],
});

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

</Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Provider/Model Usage Examples

Use multiple providers through the same OpenAI SDK format by prefixing model names with the provider:

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python
import openai

client = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="dummy-key"
)

# OpenAI models (default)
openai_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from OpenAI!"}]
)

# Anthropic models via OpenAI SDK format
anthropic_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="anthropic/claude-3-sonnet-20240229",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from Claude!"}]
)

# Google Vertex models via OpenAI SDK format
vertex_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="vertex/gemini-pro",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from Gemini!"}]
)

# Azure models
azure_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="azure/gpt-4o",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from Azure!"}]
)

# Local Ollama models
ollama_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="ollama/llama3.1:8b",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from Ollama!"}]
)
```

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript
import OpenAI from "openai";

const openai = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "dummy-key",
});

// OpenAI models (default)
const openaiResponse = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "gpt-4o-mini",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from OpenAI!" }],
});

// Anthropic models via OpenAI SDK format
const anthropicResponse = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "anthropic/claude-3-sonnet-20240229",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from Claude!" }],
});

// Google Vertex models via OpenAI SDK format
const vertexResponse = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "vertex/gemini-pro",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from Gemini!" }],
});

// Azure models
const azureResponse = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "azure/gpt-4o",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from Azure!" }],
});

// Local Ollama models
const ollamaResponse = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "ollama/llama3.1:8b",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from Ollama!" }],
});
```

</Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Adding Custom Headers

Pass custom headers required by Bifrost plugins (like governance, telemetry, etc.):

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python
import openai

client = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="dummy-key",
    default_headers={
        "x-bf-vk": "vk_12345",  # Virtual key for governance
    }
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello with custom headers!"}]
)
```

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript
import OpenAI from "openai";

const openai = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "dummy-key",
  defaultHeaders: {
    "x-bf-vk": "vk_12345", // Virtual key for governance
  },
});

const response = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "gpt-4o-mini",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello with custom headers!" }],
});
```

</Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Using Direct Keys

Pass API keys directly in requests to bypass Bifrost's load balancing. You can pass any provider's API key (OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, etc.) since Bifrost only looks for `Authorization` or `x-api-key` headers. This requires the **Allow Direct API keys** option to be enabled in Bifrost configuration.

> **Learn more:** See [Key Management](../../features/keys-management#direct-key-bypass) for enabling direct API key usage.

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python
import openai

# Using OpenAI's API key directly
client_with_direct_key = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="sk-your-openai-key"  # OpenAI's API key works
)

openai_response = client_with_direct_key.chat.completions.create(
    model="openai/gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from GPT!"}]
)

# Or pass different provider keys per request
client = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="dummy-key"
)

# Use OpenAI key for GPT models
openai_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello GPT!"}],
    extra_headers={
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk-your-openai-key"
    }
)

# Use Anthropic key for Claude models
anthropic_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="anthropic/claude-3-sonnet-20240229",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello Claude!"}],
    extra_headers={
        "x-api-key": "sk-ant-your-anthropic-key"
    }
)

# Use Gemini key for Gemini models
gemini_response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gemini/gemini-2.5-flash",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello Gemini!"}],
    extra_headers={
        "x-goog-api-key": "sk-gemini-your-gemini-key"
    }
)
```

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript
import OpenAI from "openai";

// Using OpenAI's API key directly
const openaiWithDirectKey = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "sk-your-openai-key", // OpenAI's API key works
});

const openaiResponse = await openaiWithDirectKey.chat.completions.create({
  model: "openai/gpt-4o-mini",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from GPT!" }],
});

// Or pass different provider keys per request
const openai = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "dummy-key",
});

// Use OpenAI key for GPT models
const openaiResponse = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "gpt-4o-mini",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello GPT!" }],
  headers: {
    "Authorization": "Bearer sk-your-openai-key",
  },
});

// Use Anthropic key for Claude models
const anthropicResponseWithHeader = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "anthropic/claude-3-sonnet-20240229",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello Claude!" }],
  headers: {
    "x-api-key": "sk-ant-your-anthropic-key",
  },
});

// Use Gemini key for Gemini models
const geminiResponseWithHeader = await openai.chat.completions.create({
  model: "gemini/gemini-2.5-flash",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello Gemini!" }],
  headers: {
    "x-goog-api-key": "sk-gemini-your-gemini-key",
  },
});
```

</Tab>
</Tabs>

For Azure, you can use the AzureOpenAI client and point it to Bifrost integration endpoint. The `x-bf-azure-endpoint` header is required to specify your Azure resource endpoint.

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python
from openai import AzureOpenAI

azure_client = AzureOpenAI(
    api_key="your-azure-api-key",
    api_version="2024-02-01",
    azure_endpoint="http://localhost:8080/openai",  # Point to Bifrost
    default_headers={
        "x-bf-azure-endpoint": "https://your-resource.openai.azure.com"
    }
)

azure_response = azure_client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4-deployment",  # Your deployment name
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from Azure!"}]
)

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

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript
import { AzureOpenAI } from "openai";

const azureClient = new AzureOpenAI({
  apiKey: "your-azure-api-key",
  apiVersion: "2024-02-01",
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai", // Point to Bifrost
  defaultHeaders: {
    "x-bf-azure-endpoint": "https://your-resource.openai.azure.com"
  }
});

const azureResponse = await azureClient.chat.completions.create({
  model: "gpt-4-deployment", // Your deployment name
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello from Azure!" }],
});

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

</Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Async Inference

Submit inference requests asynchronously and poll for results later using the `x-bf-async` header. This is useful for long-running requests where you don't want to hold a connection open. See [Async Inference](../../features/async-inference) for full details.

<Note>
Async inference requires a [Logs Store](../../features/observability/default) to be configured and is not compatible with streaming.
</Note>

### Chat Completions

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python
import openai
import time

client = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="dummy-key"
)

# Submit async request
initial = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="openai/gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Tell me a short story."}],
    extra_headers={"x-bf-async": "true"}
)

# If choices are present, the request completed synchronously
if initial.choices:
    print(initial.choices[0].message.content)
else:
    # Poll until completed
    while True:
        time.sleep(2)
        poll = client.chat.completions.create(
            model="openai/gpt-4o-mini",
            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Tell me a short story."}],
            extra_headers={"x-bf-async-id": initial.id}
        )
        if poll.choices:
            print(poll.choices[0].message.content)
            break
```

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript
import OpenAI from "openai";

const openai = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "dummy-key",
});

// Submit async request
const initial = await openai.chat.completions.create(
  {
    model: "openai/gpt-4o-mini",
    messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Tell me a short story." }],
  },
  { headers: { "x-bf-async": "true" } }
);

// If choices are present, the request completed synchronously
if (initial.choices?.length > 0) {
  console.log(initial.choices[0].message.content);
} else {
  // Poll until completed
  while (true) {
    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 2000));
    const poll = await openai.chat.completions.create(
      {
        model: "openai/gpt-4o-mini",
        messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Tell me a short story." }],
      },
      { headers: { "x-bf-async-id": initial.id } }
    );
    if (poll.choices?.length > 0) {
      console.log(poll.choices[0].message.content);
      break;
    }
  }
}
```

</Tab>
</Tabs>

### Responses API

<Tabs group="openai-sdk">
<Tab title="Python">

```python
import openai
import time

client = openai.OpenAI(
    base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",
    api_key="dummy-key"
)

# Submit async request
initial = client.responses.create(
    model="openai/gpt-4o-mini",
    input="Tell me a short story.",
    extra_headers={"x-bf-async": "true"}
)

# If status is "completed", the request completed synchronously
if initial.status == "completed":
    print(initial.output_text)
else:
    # Poll until completed
    while True:
        time.sleep(2)
        poll = client.responses.create(
            model="openai/gpt-4o-mini",
            input="Tell me a short story.",
            extra_headers={"x-bf-async-id": initial.id}
        )
        if poll.status == "completed":
            print(poll.output_text)
            break
```

</Tab>
<Tab title="JavaScript">

```javascript
import OpenAI from "openai";

const openai = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  apiKey: "dummy-key",
});

// Submit async request
const initial = await openai.responses.create(
  { model: "openai/gpt-4o-mini", input: "Tell me a short story." },
  { headers: { "x-bf-async": "true" } }
);

// If status is "completed", the request completed synchronously
if (initial.status === "completed") {
  console.log(initial.output_text);
} else {
  // Poll until completed
  while (true) {
    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 2000));
    const poll = await openai.responses.create(
      { model: "openai/gpt-4o-mini", input: "Tell me a short story." },
      { headers: { "x-bf-async-id": initial.id } }
    );
    if (poll.status === "completed") {
      console.log(poll.output_text);
      break;
    }
  }
}
```

</Tab>
</Tabs>

### Async Headers

| Header | Description |
|---|---|
| `x-bf-async: true` | Submit the request as an async job. Returns immediately with a job ID. |
| `x-bf-async-id: <job-id>` | Poll for results of a previously submitted async job. |
| `x-bf-async-job-result-ttl: <seconds>` | Override the default result TTL (default: 3600s). |

---

## Supported Features

The OpenAI integration supports all features that are available in both the OpenAI SDK and Bifrost core functionality. If the OpenAI SDK supports a feature and Bifrost supports it, the integration will work seamlessly.

---

## Next Steps

- **[Files and Batch API](./files-and-batch)** - File uploads and batch processing
- **[Anthropic SDK](../anthropic-sdk/overview)** - Claude integration patterns
- **[Google GenAI SDK](../genai-sdk)** - Gemini integration patterns
- **[Configuration](../../quickstart/README)** - Bifrost setup and configuration
- **[Core Features](../../features/)** - Advanced Bifrost capabilities