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

# AI inference overview

> Call hosted language and embedding models through project-scoped LayerRail inference endpoints with per-project API keys and usage limits.

LayerRail AI inference gives a project a small set of model endpoints, API keys, and a playground for testing requests before you wire them into an application.

## What it is for

Use AI inference when you want to:

* Test text generation models.
* Generate embeddings.
* Build simple AI features without operating model servers.
* Keep inference keys scoped to a LayerRail project.
* Prototype prompts in the console.

## Model catalog

The inference catalog shows available endpoints for the project.

Each model card includes:

| Field          | Meaning                                          |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Model name     | The model you pass in requests.                  |
| Provider       | The system backing the endpoint.                 |
| Capability     | Text generation or embeddings.                   |
| Context length | The supported input window.                      |
| Price          | Input and output token pricing where configured. |
| URL            | The endpoint URL to call from your application.  |

## API keys

Create an inference API key before sending requests.

```bash theme={null}
curl https://console.layerrail.com/ai/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $INFERENCE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "@cf/meta/llama-3.1-8b-instruct",
    "messages": [
      { "role": "user", "content": "Write a short deployment checklist." }
    ]
  }'
```

<Warning>
  Inference API keys are project secrets. Do not expose them in frontend code.
</Warning>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Playground" icon="play" href="/ai-inference/playground" />

  <Card title="API authentication" icon="key" href="/api-reference/authentication" />
</CardGroup>