Sample - OpenAI API
POST/responses

Create a model response

Creates a model response from text, image, or other supported input. Configure model, input, instructions, tools, output formatting, streaming, and token limits to control generation. Set background to true when you need a response that can be cancelled asynchronously.

  • RetriesRetries up to 2×, 500ms backoff, 30s timeout.

31 body fields

Model response request containing input and generation, tool, caching, streaming, and conversation configuration.

metadataobjectoptional
Key-value metadata associated with the response.
top_logprobsintegeroptional
An integer between 0 and 20 specifying the maximum number of most likely tokens to return at each token position, each with an associated log probability. In some cases, the number of returned tokens may be fewer than requested.
temperaturenumberoptional
Sampling temperature configuration for controlling output randomness.
Default:1
top_pnumberoptional
Nucleus sampling configuration.
Default:1
userstringdeprecatedoptional
This field is being replaced by `safety_identifier` and `prompt_cache_key`. Use `prompt_cache_key` instead to maintain caching optimizations. A stable identifier for your end-users. Used to boost cache hit rates by better bucketing similar requests and to help OpenAI detect and prevent abuse. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/safety-best-practices#implement-safety-identifiers).
safety_identifierstringoptional
Safety identifier configuration for the request.
prompt_cache_keystringoptional
Key used to group requests for prompt caching.
prompt_cache_retentionstringdeprecatedoptional
Prompt cache retention configuration.
Allowed:in_memory24h
prompt_cache_optionsobjectoptional
Options for prompt caching. Supported for `gpt-5.6` and later models. By default, OpenAI automatically chooses one implicit cache breakpoint. You can add explicit breakpoints to content blocks with `prompt_cache_breakpoint`. Each request can write up to four breakpoints. For cache matching, OpenAI considers up to the latest 80 breakpoints in the conversation, without a content-block lookback limit. Set `mode` to `explicit` to disable the implicit breakpoint. The `ttl` defaults to `30m`, which is currently the only supported value. See the [prompt caching guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/prompt-caching) for current details.
previous_response_idstringoptional
Identifier of a previous response to continue from, or `null`.
modelstringoptional
Model ID used to generate the response, like `gpt-6-astra`. OpenAI offers a wide range of models with different capabilities, performance characteristics, and price points. Refer to the [model guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models) to browse and compare available models.
backgroundbooleanoptional
Whether to process the response in the background, or `null`.
Default:false
max_tool_callsintegeroptional
Maximum number of tool calls allowed, or `null`.
textobjectoptional
Configuration options for a text response from the model. Can be plain text or structured JSON data. Learn more: - [Text inputs and outputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/text) - [Structured Outputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/structured-outputs)
toolsarray<Function>optional
An array of tools the model may call while generating a response. You can specify which tool to use by setting the `tool_choice` parameter. We support the following categories of tools: - **Built-in tools**: Tools that are provided by OpenAI that extend the model's capabilities, like [web search](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-web-search) or [file search](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-file-search). Learn more about [built-in tools](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools). - **MCP Tools**: Integrations with third-party systems via custom MCP servers or predefined connectors such as Google Drive and SharePoint. Learn more about [MCP Tools](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-connectors-mcp). - **Function calls (custom tools)**: Functions that are defined by you, enabling the model to call your own code with strongly typed arguments and outputs. Learn more about [function calling](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/function-calling). You can also use custom tools to call your own code.
tool_choicestringoptional
How the model should select which tool (or tools) to use when generating a response. See the `tools` parameter to see how to specify which tools the model can call.
Allowed:noneautorequired
promptobjectoptional
Prompt configuration or `null`.
service_tierstringoptional
Service tier configuration for the request, or `null`.
Allowed:autodefaultflexscalepriorityfastultrafastDefault:auto
truncationstringdeprecatedoptional
Deprecated truncation configuration, or `null`.
Allowed:autodisabledDefault:disabled
reasoningobjectoptional
Reasoning configuration, or `null`.
inputstringoptional
Text, image, or file inputs to the model, used to generate a response. Learn more: - [Text inputs and outputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/text) - [Image inputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/images-vision) - [File inputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/file-inputs) - [Conversation state](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/conversation-state) - [Function calling](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/function-calling)
includearray<string>optional
Additional output fields to include, or `null`.
parallel_tool_callsbooleanoptional
Whether the model may make tool calls in parallel, or `null`.
Default:true
storebooleanoptional
Whether to store the response, or `null`.
Default:true
instructionsstringoptional
Instructions that guide the model's response, or `null`.
moderationobjectoptional
Moderation configuration, or `null`.
streambooleanoptional
Whether to return server-sent streaming events, or `null`.
Default:false
stream_optionsobjectoptional
Options controlling streamed output, or `null`.
Default:null
conversationstring | objectoptional
Conversation configuration associated with the response, or `null`.
Default:null
context_managementarray<object>optional
Context management configuration, or `null`.
max_output_tokensintegeroptional
Maximum number of output tokens, or `null`.

3 status codes
200Returns the created response object, or a stream of server-sent events when streaming is enabled. The response includes its identifier, status, model, output, tool configuration, and usage details.
metadataobjectrequired
Set of 16 key-value pairs that can be attached to an object. This can be useful for storing additional information about the object in a structured format, and querying for objects via API or the dashboard. Keys are strings with a maximum length of 64 characters. Values are strings with a maximum length of 512 characters.
top_logprobsintegeroptional
An integer between 0 and 20 specifying the maximum number of most likely tokens to return at each token position, each with an associated log probability. In some cases, the number of returned tokens may be fewer than requested.
temperaturenumberrequired
What sampling temperature to use, between 0 and 2. Higher values like 0.8 will make the output more random, while lower values like 0.2 will make it more focused and deterministic. We generally recommend altering this or `top_p` but not both.
Default:1
top_pnumberrequired
An alternative to sampling with temperature, called nucleus sampling, where the model considers the results of the tokens with top_p probability mass. So 0.1 means only the tokens comprising the top 10% probability mass are considered. We generally recommend altering this or `temperature` but not both.
Default:1
userstringdeprecatedoptional
This field is being replaced by `safety_identifier` and `prompt_cache_key`. Use `prompt_cache_key` instead to maintain caching optimizations. A stable identifier for your end-users. Used to boost cache hit rates by better bucketing similar requests and to help OpenAI detect and prevent abuse. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/safety-best-practices#implement-safety-identifiers).
safety_identifierstringoptional
A stable identifier used to help detect users of your application that may be violating OpenAI's usage policies. The IDs should be a string that uniquely identifies each user, with a maximum length of 64 characters. We recommend hashing their username or email address, in order to avoid sending us any identifying information. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/safety-best-practices#implement-safety-identifiers).
prompt_cache_keystringoptional
Used by OpenAI to cache responses for similar requests to optimize your cache hit rates. Replaces the `user` field. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/prompt-caching).
prompt_cache_retentionstringdeprecatedoptional
Deprecated. Use `prompt_cache_options.ttl` instead. The retention policy for the prompt cache. Set to `24h` to enable extended prompt caching, which keeps cached prefixes active for longer, up to a maximum of 24 hours. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/prompt-caching#prompt-cache-retention). This field expresses a maximum retention policy, while `prompt_cache_options.ttl` expresses a minimum cache lifetime. The two fields are independent and do not interact. For `gpt-5.5`, `gpt-5.5-pro`, and future models, only `24h` is supported. For older models that support both `in_memory` and `24h`, the default depends on your organization's data retention policy: - Organizations without ZDR enabled default to `24h`. - Organizations with ZDR enabled default to `in_memory` when `prompt_cache_retention` is not specified.
Allowed:in_memory24h
previous_response_idstringoptional
The unique ID of the previous response to the model. Use this to create multi-turn conversations. Learn more about [conversation state](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/conversation-state). Cannot be used in conjunction with `conversation`.
modelstringrequired
Model ID used to generate the response, like `gpt-6-astra`. OpenAI offers a wide range of models with different capabilities, performance characteristics, and price points. Refer to the [model guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models) to browse and compare available models.
backgroundbooleanoptional
Whether to run the model response in the background. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/background).
Default:false
max_tool_callsintegeroptional
The maximum number of total calls to built-in tools that can be processed in a response. This maximum number applies across all built-in tool calls, not per individual tool. Any further attempts to call a tool by the model will be ignored.
textobjectoptional
Configuration options for a text response from the model. Can be plain text or structured JSON data. Learn more: - [Text inputs and outputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/text) - [Structured Outputs](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/structured-outputs)
toolsarray<Function>required
An array of tools the model may call while generating a response. You can specify which tool to use by setting the `tool_choice` parameter. We support the following categories of tools: - **Built-in tools**: Tools that are provided by OpenAI that extend the model's capabilities, like [web search](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-web-search) or [file search](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-file-search). Learn more about [built-in tools](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools). - **MCP Tools**: Integrations with third-party systems via custom MCP servers or predefined connectors such as Google Drive and SharePoint. Learn more about [MCP Tools](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-connectors-mcp). - **Function calls (custom tools)**: Functions that are defined by you, enabling the model to call your own code with strongly typed arguments and outputs. Learn more about [function calling](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/function-calling). You can also use custom tools to call your own code.
tool_choicestringrequired
How the model should select which tool (or tools) to use when generating a response. See the `tools` parameter to see how to specify which tools the model can call.
Allowed:noneautorequired
promptobjectoptional
Reference to a prompt template and its variables. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/text?api-mode=responses#version-prompts-in-code).
service_tierstringoptional
Specifies the processing type used for serving the request. - If set to 'auto', then the request will be processed with the service tier configured in the Project settings. Unless otherwise configured, the Project will use 'default'. - If set to 'default', then the request will be processed with the standard pricing and performance for the selected model. - If set to '[flex](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/flex-processing)', then the request will be processed with the Flex Processing service tier. - To opt-in to [Fast mode](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/fast-mode) at the request level, include the `service_tier=fast` or `service_tier=priority` parameter for Responses or Chat Completions. The response will show `service_tier=priority` regardless of if you specify `service_tier=fast` or `priority` in your request. - If set to 'ultrafast', then the request will be processed with the access-controlled Ultrafast Processing service tier. This tier is currently available for `gpt-5.6-sol`; a response served through it will show `service_tier=ultrafast`. - When not set, the default behavior is 'auto'. When the `service_tier` parameter is set, the response body will include the `service_tier` value based on the processing mode actually used to serve the request. This response value may be different from the value set in the parameter.
Allowed:autodefaultflexscalepriorityfastultrafastDefault:auto
truncationstringoptional
The truncation strategy to use for the model response. - `auto`: If the input to this Response exceeds the model's context window size, the model will truncate the response to fit the context window by dropping items from the beginning of the conversation. - `disabled` (default): If the input size will exceed the context window size for a model, the request will fail with a 400 error.
Allowed:autodisabledDefault:disabled
idstringrequired
Unique identifier for this Response.
objectstringrequired
The object type of this resource - always set to `response`.
Allowed:response
statusstringoptional
The status of the response generation. One of `completed`, `failed`, `in_progress`, `cancelled`, `queued`, or `incomplete`.
Allowed:completedfailedin_progresscancelledqueuedincomplete
created_atnumberrequired
Unix timestamp (in seconds) of when this Response was created.
completed_atnumberoptional
Unix timestamp (in seconds) of when this Response was completed. Only present when the status is `completed`.
errorobjectrequired
An error object returned when the model fails to generate a Response.
incomplete_detailsobjectrequired
Details about why the response is incomplete.
outputarray<OutputMessage>required
An array of content items generated by the model. - The length and order of items in the `output` array is dependent on the model's response. - Rather than accessing the first item in the `output` array and assuming it's an `assistant` message with the content generated by the model, you might consider using the `output_text` property where supported in SDKs.
reasoningobjectoptional
Configuration options for [reasoning models](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/reasoning).
instructionsstring | arrayrequired
A system (or developer) message inserted into the model's context. When using along with `previous_response_id`, the instructions from a previous response will not be carried over to the next response. This makes it simple to swap out system (or developer) messages in new responses.
output_textstringoptional
SDK-only convenience property that contains the aggregated text output from all `output_text` items in the `output` array, if any are present. Supported in the Python and JavaScript SDKs.
usageobjectoptional
Represents token usage details including input tokens, output tokens, a breakdown of output tokens, and the total tokens used.
prompt_cache_optionsobjectoptional
The prompt-caching options that were applied to the response. Supported for `gpt-5.6` and later models.
prompt_cache_diagnosticsobjectoptional
Prompt cache diagnostics requested for this response.
moderationobjectoptional
Moderation results for the response input and output, if moderated completions were requested.
parallel_tool_callsbooleanrequired
Whether to allow the model to run tool calls in parallel.
Default:true
conversationobjectoptional
The conversation that this response belonged to. Input items and output items from this response were automatically added to this conversation.
Default:null
max_output_tokensintegeroptional
An upper bound for the number of tokens that can be generated for a response, including visible output tokens and [reasoning tokens](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/reasoning).
429Returned when the request exceeds the rate limit; reduce the request rate and increase it gradually.

One documented failure

  • slow_down

    Your request rate increased too quickly. Please reduce the request rate and gradually increase it again.

    Traffic increased too quickly

errorobjectrequired
503Returned when the requested model is temporarily overloaded; retry after a brief delay.

One documented failure

  • server_is_overloaded

    The model is temporarily overloaded. Please retry your request after a brief delay.

    The requested model is temporarily overloaded

errorobjectrequired

Error handling

A 429 is returned when the request exceeds the rate limit; reduce the request rate and increase it gradually. A 503 is returned when the requested model is temporarily overloaded; retry after a brief delay. Use valid input, model, tools, and output configuration values, and use max_output_tokens only with a supported token limit.