LiteLLM
LiteLLM is an LLM gateway, simplifying access to multiple LLM models or providers within a single proxy service. LiteLLM allows you to manage spending and rate limits across providers while configuring fallback and other access control configurations. They offer a free open-source, self-hosted code package that allows for the creation of a simple proxy service.
This guide demonstrates how to configure the Venice API within a LiteLLM proxy server.
Prerequisites
Venice API key obtained through VVV staking or Venice Pro (more restrictive rate limits apply to Pro)
Installed system dependencies including: “python3” and “pip”
Steps
Grab your API key from Venice.ai (follow instructions on https://docs.venice.ai/welcome/guides/generating-api-key for more information)
Go to https://docs.venice.ai/api-reference/endpoint/models/list and click “try it” next to GET /models to see all of the available models through the API. We recommend to use the default model as a starting place (llama-3.3-70b).
Create new directory on your machine. For this, we will create a folder called “litellmtest” on our desktop
Run the following command to install the LiteLLM package
pip install 'litellm[proxy]'
Create a file called “config.yaml“ with the following. We are using “llama-3.3-70b” as the modelID for this example.
model_list: - model_name: <modelID> litellm_params: model: openai/<modelID> api_base: <https://api.venice.ai/api/v1> api_key: "<api_key>"
Start the LiteLLM server using your configuration file. We chose to have “detailed_debug” enabled to help us identify any errors throughout the process
litellm --config ~/Desktop/litellmtest/config.yaml --detailed_debug
The process will start running. You will see the following response within the terminal, amongst other process statuses. This shows that the configuration and model have loaded properly
23:44:33 - LiteLLM Proxy:DEBUG: proxy_server.py:1505 - loaded config={ "model_list": [ { "model_name": "llama-3.3-70b", "litellm_params": { "model": "openai/llama-3.3-70b", "api_base": "<https://api.venice.ai/api/v1>", "api_key": "<api_key>" } } ] } LiteLLM: Proxy initialized with Config, Set models: llama-3.3-70b
Now that your configuration is working properly, we will send our first request to the server. LiteLLM allows you to utilize standard OpenAI API format. First open a new terminal window, and head over to the same directory where you ran the process. You can input this basic call to the API to confirm proper functionality
~/litellmtest % curl --location '<http://0.0.0.0:4000/chat/completions>' \\ --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \\ --data ' { "model": "llama-3.3-70b", "messages": [ { "role": "user", "content": "tell me about ai" } ] }'
If you check the original terminal window where the LiteLLM server is running, you will see the following response. This confirms that the request was passed properly to the server.
23:46:34 - LiteLLM Proxy:DEBUG: proxy_server.py:3518 - Request received by LiteLLM: { "model": "llama-3.3-70b", "messages": [ { "role": "user", "content": "tell me about ai" } ] }
The response from the Venice API will be returned in the same window in which you made the API call. Here is the response from the request above.
{"id":"chatcmpl-77fc96ac3707555543746381628efd66","created":1741063594,"model":"llama-3.3-70b","object":"chat.completion","system_fingerprint":null,"choices":[{"finish_reason":"stop","index":0,"message":{"content":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and perception. The field of AI has been rapidly advancing in recent years, with significant breakthroughs in areas like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.\\n\\n**History of AI:**\\nThe term \\"Artificial Intelligence\\" was coined in 1956 by John McCarthy, a computer scientist and cognitive scientist. However, the concept of creating machines that can think and learn dates back to ancient Greece, with myths like Pygmalion and Galatea. The modern field of AI began to take shape in the 1950s, with the development of the first AI program, called Logical Theorist, by Allen Newell and Herbert Simon.\\n\\n**Types of AI:**\\nThere are several types of AI, including:\\n\\n1. **Narrow or Weak AI:** This type of AI is designed to perform a specific task, such as facial recognition, language translation, or playing chess. Narrow AI is the most common type of AI and is used in many applications, including virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa.\\n2. **General or Strong AI:** This type of AI is designed to perform any intellectual task that a human can. General AI is still in the early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize many industries and aspects of life.\\n3. **Superintelligence:** This type of AI is significantly more intelligent than the best human minds, and it has the potential to solve complex problems that are currently unsolvable.\\n\\n**Machine Learning:**\\nMachine learning is a key component of AI, and it refers to the ability of a computer system to learn from data without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning algorithms can be divided into three categories:\\n\\n1. **Supervised Learning:** In this type of learning, the computer system is trained on labeled data, and it learns to make predictions based on the input data.\\n2. **Unsupervised Learning:** In this type of learning, the computer system is trained on unlabeled data, and it learns to identify patterns and relationships in the data.\\n3. **Reinforcement Learning:** In this type of learning, the computer system learns by interacting with an environment and receiving rewards or penalties for its actions.\\n\\n**Applications of AI:**\\nAI has many applications in various industries, including:\\n\\n1. **Healthcare:** AI is used in medical diagnosis, personalized medicine, and healthcare management.\\n2. **Finance:** AI is used in trading, portfolio management, and risk analysis.\\n3. **Transportation:** AI is used in self-driving cars, traffic management, and route optimization.\\n4. **Education:** AI is used in personalized learning, intelligent tutoring systems, and educational software.\\n5. **Customer Service:** AI is used in chatbots, virtual assistants, and customer service automation.\\n\\n**Challenges and Risks:**\\nWhile AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries and aspects of life, it also poses significant challenges and risks, including:\\n\\n1. **Job Displacement:** AI has the potential to automate many jobs, leading to significant job displacement and social disruption.\\n2. **Bias and Discrimination:** AI systems can perpetuate bias and discrimination if they are trained on biased data or designed with a biased perspective.\\n3. **Cybersecurity:** AI systems can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, which can compromise their security and integrity.\\n4. **Ethics and Governance:** AI raises significant ethical and governance questions, including issues related to accountability, transparency, and human oversight.\\n\\n**Future of AI:**\\nThe future of AI is exciting and uncertain, with many potential breakthroughs and challenges on the horizon. Some of the potential developments in AI include:\\n\\n1. **Increased Autonomy:** AI systems may become increasingly autonomous, making decisions and taking actions without human oversight.\\n2. **Improved Natural Language Processing:** AI systems may become more proficient in natural language processing, enabling them to communicate more effectively with humans.\\n3. **Enhanced Computer Vision:** AI systems may become more proficient in computer vision, enabling them to perceive and understand their environment more effectively.\\n4. **Merging with Other Technologies:** AI may merge with other technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and quantum computing, to create new and innovative applications.\\n\\nOverall, AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries and aspects of life, but it also poses significant challenges and risks. As AI continues to evolve and improve, it is essential to address these challenges and risks, and to ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner.","role":"assistant","tool_calls":null,"function_call":null}}],"usage":{"completion_tokens":938,"prompt_tokens":183,"total_tokens":1121,"completion_tokens_details":null,"prompt_tokens_details":null},"service_tier":null,"prompt_logprobs":null,"venice_parameters":{"web_search_citations":[]}
Congratulations on completing your Venice API integration with LiteLLM
Getting the most out of your LiteLLM and Venice API integration
Venice's API integration with LiteLLM provides several key advantages:
Complete privacy: Your prompts and conversations are never stored
Uncensored responses: Receive answers without artificial restrictions
Free ongoing inference: Through VVV staking for high-volume usage
Multiple model access: Through a single, unified interface
For more information and support:
Check the Venice API documentation
Review detailed model specifications
Join the Venice Discord for developer discussions and support
Explore LiteLLM's documentation for advanced configurations
Venice's API access through VVV staking provides ongoing, private access to AI capabilities without per-request fees or data collection.
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