> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://apidoc.cometapi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Use LiteLLM with CometAPI
> Use this guide to configure LiteLLM with CometAPI by setting the base URL, API key, and model or provider options.
LiteLLM provides a unified Python API for 100+ LLM providers. CometAPI is natively supported — use the `cometapi/` prefix to route requests through CometAPI's model catalog.
## Prerequisites
* Python 3.6+
* A CometAPI account with an active API key — [get yours here](https://www.cometapi.com/console/token)
```bash theme={null}
pip install litellm
```
Set the API key as an environment variable (recommended) or pass it inline:
```python theme={null}
import os
from litellm import completion
# Recommended: environment variable
os.environ["COMETAPI_KEY"] = ""
# Alternative: pass inline
api_key = ""
```
Use environment variables to avoid hardcoding sensitive credentials in your scripts.
Use the `cometapi/` format to specify models. You can pass the key via environment variable or explicitly:
```python theme={null}
messages = [{"content": "Hello, how are you?", "role": "user"}]
# Method 1: environment variable (recommended)
response = completion(model="cometapi/your-model-id", messages=messages)
# Method 2: explicit API key
response = completion(model="cometapi/your-model-id", messages=messages, api_key=api_key)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)
```
Use `acompletion` with `stream=True` for non-blocking, real-time responses:
```python theme={null}
from litellm import acompletion
import asyncio, traceback
async def stream_call():
try:
response = await acompletion(
model="cometapi/your-model-id",
messages=[{"content": "Hello, how are you?", "role": "user"}],
stream=True,
)
async for chunk in response:
print(chunk)
except Exception:
print(f"Error: {traceback.format_exc()}")
asyncio.run(stream_call())
```
* **Model format**: CometAPI models use the prefix `cometapi/`, e.g. `cometapi/your-model-id`. See the [CometAPI Models page](/overview/models) for available models.
* **Fine-tuning responses**: LiteLLM supports `temperature`, `max_tokens`, and `top_p` — add them to any `completion()` call, e.g. `completion(..., temperature=0.7)`.
* **Error handling**: Wrap calls in `try/except` to catch invalid key errors or network issues.
* **Security**: Never commit API keys to version control. Use environment variables or a secrets manager.
* **Rate limits**: Monitor usage in the [CometAPI console](https://www.cometapi.com/console).
* **More docs**: [LiteLLM documentation](https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/) — [CometAPI quick start](/overview/quick-start)