Calibrated LLM model routing: use the cheap model only when it's trustworthy

A calibrated gate that uses a cheaper model when it's trustworthy enough and escalates to the stronger one when it isn't — verified against real outcomes.

The problem

A cheap model is great until it quietly isn't, and you can't tell which calls those are. Always-cheap drops quality; always-expensive burns budget. You want to use the cheap path exactly where it holds.

What the gate decides

Is the cheap model trustworthy enough for this call, or should it escalate to the strong one?

What closes the loop

Did the cheap answer hold (eval / user signal / downstream success).

cell: model_route

The code

Zero-dependency SDK. Mint a key on your dashboard and drop this in.

Python
from warmwinter import WarmWinter

ww = WarmWinter(api_key="ww_YOUR_KEY",
                base_url="https://api.warmwinter.io")

d = ww.decide(domain="compute", decision_type="model_route",
              stated_confidence=0.82, stakes="medium")

answer = cheap_model(prompt) if d.verdict == "act" else big_model(prompt)
ww.outcome(d.decision_id, "success" if ok else "failure")
TypeScript
import { WarmWinter } from "./warmwinter";

const ww = new WarmWinter({ apiKey: "ww_YOUR_KEY", baseUrl: "https://api.warmwinter.io" });

const d = await ww.decide({
  domain: "compute", decisionType: "model_route",
  statedConfidence: 0.82, stakes: "medium",
});
const answer = d.verdict === "act" ? await cheapModel(prompt) : await bigModel(prompt);
await ww.outcome(d.decisionId, ok ? "success" : "failure");

Why it works

The gate returns act only where it has verified — against your own resolved outcomes — that this kind of action is trustworthy; otherwise it escalates or abstains. Stakesraise the bar for riskier actions. Nothing is graded on volume — only on outcomes that actually resolved. There is no global accuracy number; trust is per cell. That calibrated humility is the point: the system tells you where it doesn't know yet.

Wrap this call in about five minutes. Free to start.

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