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

# Core Concepts: API Families, Tasks, Routing & Access

> Learn the core ideas behind APIXO — API families, async task flow, provider routing, and dashboard access — before your first API call.

Start here when you want to understand APIXO's API families, authentication model, async generation flow, and routing options before reading endpoint details.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="How APIXO Works" href="/docs/concepts/how-apixo-works">
    Compare async Generation APIs with direct Chat API calls.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" href="/docs/concepts/authentication">
    Get an API key and send it correctly with each request.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Async Workflow" href="/docs/concepts/async-workflow">
    Submit generation tasks, poll status, or receive webhooks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Routing Strategies" href="/docs/concepts/routing-strategies">
    Choose Auto, Value, or Official routing for your API keys.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Recommended reading order

1. Read [How APIXO Works](/docs/concepts/how-apixo-works) to choose between Generation APIs and the Chat API.
2. Set up [Authentication](/docs/concepts/authentication) before sending requests.
3. Use [Async Workflow](/docs/concepts/async-workflow) for image, video, and audio generation tasks.
4. Review [Routing Strategies](/docs/concepts/routing-strategies) when you need cost, quality, or provider-key control.

## API families

| Area | Use it for | Start here |
| - | - | - |
| Generation APIs | Image, video, and audio generation | [Generation API Overview](/docs/models) |
| Chat API | Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini compatible calls | [Chat API Overview](/docs/llm) |
| Operations | Balance, routing, errors, and reliability | [Best Practices](/docs/guides/best-practices) |


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