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

# Configuring Models

> AI model configuration and optimization

## Model Selection

**GPT-4.1**: Latest flagship, enhanced reasoning. Best for complex analysis and creative tasks.

**GPT-4.1-mini**: Faster, cost-effective. Best for balanced performance and standard processing.

**GPT-4.1-nano**: Ultra-fast, basic operations only. Best for high-throughput simple tasks.

**GPT-5 / GPT-5-mini / GPT-5-nano**: Next-generation models with advanced capabilities.

### Selection Criteria

**Task Complexity**: Use nano/mini for simple extraction, full models for nuanced reasoning.

**Volume and Cost**: High volume = mini/nano to control costs. Critical tasks = invest in full models.

**Response Time**: nano (\~500ms), mini (\~1-2s), full (\~2-4s), GPT-5 (\~3-6s).

## API Key Management

Store API keys in workspace variables, never directly in agent configuration. Use separate keys for development and production. Monitor usage and set limits on provider dashboards.

## Cost Management

**Token-Based Pricing**: Input tokens (prompt/context) + Output tokens (response) + Tool tokens.

**Optimization**:

* Write efficient prompts without unnecessary context
* Use appropriate models (don't over-engineer simple tasks)
* Include only necessary tools
* Process records in batches

Monitor API usage through provider dashboards and set billing alerts.

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Chat with Agents" icon="message" href="/guides/agents/chatting-with-agents">
    Test model configuration interactively
  </Card>

  <Card title="Managing Tools" icon="wrench" href="/guides/agents/managing-tools">
    Configure tools for agents
  </Card>

  <Card title="Creating Agents" icon="plus" href="/guides/agents/creating-agents">
    Create agents with model configs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Testing Agents" icon="flask" href="/guides/agents/testing-agents">
    Comprehensive agent testing
  </Card>
</CardGroup>