BerriAI/litellm: README-based editorial guide

BerriAI/litellm describes itself in the README as "The fastest, litest AI Gateway. Rust core with Python SDK. Call 100+ LLM APIs in OpenAI (or native) format with cost tracking, guardrails, load balancing, and logging [Bedrock, Azure, OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenAI, VertexAI, vLLM, Nvidia NIM]". This article keeps to facts that can be checked in the repository. Stars, forks, and promotional badges are signals of attention, not proof of quality. Under "What is LiteLLM", the README says: LiteLLM is an open source AI Gateway that gives you a single, unified interface to call 100+ LLM providers , OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Bedrock, Azure, and more , using the OpenAI format.. That establishes the project's stated boundary, not a production test.

The README's "Why LiteLLM" section gives a useful starting point for deciding whether the project fits: Drop-in OpenAI compatibility , swap providers without rewriting your code. If that problem is not yours, popularity is a poor reason to adopt it. Project names, commands, and component names are kept as written so a reader can return to the primary source without guessing at terminology. Another checkable README item is: Unified API , one interface for 100+ LLMs, no provider-specific SDK juggling. It can shape a first test, but it does not replace testing in the intended environment.

The operating model is spread across sections such as "Why LiteLLM". The source evidence includes: Managing LLM calls across providers gets complicated fast , different SDKs, auth patterns, request formats, and error types for every model. LiteLLM removes that friction:. This article does not turn missing architecture, performance, or security details into claims. A real deployment still needs a look at the repository layout, configuration files, and release history.

Start installation from the README's documented entry point. A command that can be checked in the source is: curl -X POST 'http://0.0.0.0:4000/v1/chat/completions' \ -H 'Authorization: Bearer sk-1234' \ -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \ -d '{ "model": "gpt-4o", "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Summarize the latest open PR"}], "tools": [{ "type": "mcp", "server_url": "litellm_proxy/mcp/github", "server_label": "github_mcp", "require_approval": "never" }] }' When the README contains no runnable command, this article does not invent one. Open its "Why LiteLLM" section and confirm system dependencies, default ports, and first-run initialization before using a public server.