Serverless Inference Overview
What is serverless inference and how it differs from dedicated inference.
Inference How-Tos
Generated on 28 Apr 2026
Inference provides a single control plane for managing inference workflows. It includes a Model Catalog where you can view available foundation models, including both DigitalOcean-hosted and third-party commercial models, compare model capabilities and pricing, use routing to match inference requests to the best-fit model, and run inference using serverless or dedicated deployments.
Serverless Inference
Serverless Inference API Endpoints
Synchronous and asynchronous API endpoints for serverless inference.
Use Serverless Inference
Send API requests directly to foundation models without creating an AI agent or managing infrastructure.
How to Retrieve Available Models
How to retrieve models available for serverless inference.
How to Send Prompts to a Model Using the Chat Completions API
Send prompts and use reasoning with the Chat Completions API.
How to Send Prompts to a Model Using the Responses API
Send prompts with the Responses API.
How to Use Prompt Caching in Chat Completions and Responses API
Use prompt caching with the Chat Completions and Responses API.
How to Use Reasoning with the Chat Completions and Responses API
Use reasoning with the Chat Completions and Responses API.
How to Generate Images from Text Prompts
Generate or edit images from text prompts.
How to Use fal Models to Generate Image, Audio, or Text-to-Speech
Generate image, audio, or text-to-speech using fal models.
How to Convert Text Into Dense Vector Representations
Convert text into dense vector representations for use in semantic search, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), clustering, classification, and similarity matching.
How to View Serverless Inference Metrics
View metrics such as latency, throughput, error rates, token consumption, cost attribution, and rate limiting.
How to Use Built-in Tools
Extend model capabilities with server-side tools like knowledge base retrieval and MCP during inference requests.
How to Use Serverless Inference After Updating to Another Model
How to use serverless inference after updating a model.
Manage Model Catalog
How to Browse Models in Model Catalog
Identify the right model for your use case by filtering available foundation models by capabilities and price.
Use Model Playground
Test and Compare Models Using the Model Playground
Test and compare foundation models in the Model Playground.
Manage Inference Deployments
How to Use Dedicated Inference
Deploy open-source and commercial LLMs on dedicated GPUs as an inference endpoint.
How to Use Batch Inference on DigitalOcean AI
Batch inference runs text jobs asynchronously through batch APIs compatible with OpenAI and Anthropic using your serverless inference model access key.
How to Create and Manage Model Access Keys
Create, scope, and manage model access keys for foundation models, inference routers, and batch inference, with VPC restrictions and team-owner visibility.
Agentic Workflows
How to Use Claude Code and Other Agentic Workflows on DigitalOcean
Use the Messages API with Claude Code and similar agentic workflows.