# The auto model

> Send model auto and DigitSpace picks a model that can handle the request at the quality level you set, from economy to balanced or best.

Source: https://digitspace.ai/docs/routing/auto · Last checked: 2026-10-31

Send `"model": "auto"` and DigitSpace picks the model as well as the provider. It considers only models that can do what the request needs, at or above a quality level, and then ranks them with the project's [routing strategy](/docs/routing/strategy).

## Quality levels

DigitSpace keeps a list of models for `auto`, each placed at one of three levels: _basic_, _standard_ or _advanced_. The quality you ask for sets the lowest level allowed.

| You send        | Models considered                                           |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `auto:economy`  | Basic and above                                             |
| `auto:balanced` | Standard and above                                          |
| `auto:best`     | Advanced only                                               |
| `auto`          | The project's setting, which is **Balanced** unless changed |

Set the project's quality under **Routing → Auto model quality** in the dashboard. A quality in the request overrides it for that request.

Requests that use **tools** or **reasoning** always get a standard model or better, even on `auto:economy`, because small models handle them poorly.

## What `auto` checks

Before ranking, `auto` drops models that can't serve the request:

- images in the messages need a model with vision;
- `tools` need tool support;
- a `json_schema` response format needs structured output;
- `reasoning_effort` needs reasoning;
- the estimated input plus `max_tokens` must fit the context window.

If no model at the level qualifies, `auto` widens to the rest of its list, and then to every model.

## Seeing what was chosen

The response's `model` field says `auto`. To see the model and provider that answered, read the `x-digitspace-provider` header, or open the request in [Activity](/docs/dashboard/activity), which shows the model, the quality level used and why.

> **Note:** Exact names after `auto:` are checked: `auto:economy`, `auto:balanced` and `auto:best`. Anything else after `auto:` is treated as plain auto across every model, without a quality level, so check the spelling.