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

# Optimization

> Configure model selection, steering vectors, behavior rules, sampling, test generations, and API snippets in the Spectra Optimization workspace.

Optimization is the primary workspace for inference-time control. Instead of switching between separate vector, sampling, and testing pages, you configure them together here around the currently selected model.

## What lives in Optimization

* **Selected model context** so every control is scoped to the model you are actively tuning
* **Vector library and custom vectors** in one place
* **Behavior-aware generation** using SAE-monitored runtime controls
* **Sampling configuration** for decoding strategy and method-specific parameters
* **Test generation** to validate the active stack before using it in production
* **API snippet generation** so the current configuration can be copied directly into application code

## Typical workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select a model">
    Start with the trained or hosted model you want to tune.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Attach vectors or behaviors">
    Enable library vectors, your own vectors, or SAE-monitored behavior rules depending on what you are trying to achieve.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tune decoding">
    Choose the sampling strategy and adjust the same decoding controls whether you test a standard run or an SAE behavior-aware run.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run test generations">
    Validate the current configuration before exporting it into an app or production workflow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the API snippet">
    Use the generated request example as the starting point for your client integration. You can generate it from the active model and saved API key, or switch to custom values when preparing code for a different model or key.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Test generation

The **Test generation** panel uses the current model, staged vectors or behaviors, and the sampling rail. Standard and SAE modes expose the same sampling and output-length controls so you can compare behavior without reconfiguring the request.

When SAE mode is selected, the panel also shows runtime state for the applied behaviors and whether corrective steering is forced or monitor-only.

## API snippets

The snippet dialog can generate **cURL**, **Python**, and **Typescript** examples. By default, snippets use the active model and the saved API key for the signed-in account. Switch to **Custom values** in the dialog when you need the same request shape with a different model name or API key. The custom model value is sent as the request-level model hint, so use the hosted model name or ID shown in Spectra.

## Common use cases

### Safer or more constrained responses

* attach a safety-oriented vector
* lower creativity-oriented sampling
* optionally enable SAE-monitored behaviors for drift correction

### Tone shaping

* enable a persona or style vector
* test different strength ranges
* keep the underlying model unchanged

### Structured output

* switch the decoding method to **Guided Generation**
* choose one constraint type: **JSON schema**, **Regex**, or **Grammar**
* guided generation depends on model/runtime support, so validate the behavior on the exact model you plan to ship
* when using JSON schema, the UI checks that the schema is valid JSON before sending the request
* the generated API snippet uses Axionic's `/sampling/generate` endpoint with `json_schema`, `regex_pattern`, or `grammar`
* for strict production formatting, prefer **JSON schema** or **Regex**; **Grammar** is better suited to lightweight format guidance
* this advanced sampling path does not include the staged steering vector or behavior configuration shown elsewhere in the workspace
* if your app uses an OpenAI SDK client, translate the same constraint into an inline `policy` passed through `extra_body`

## Related pages

* [Steering Vectors](/products/spectra/vectors) for the underlying vector concepts and dataset formats
* [Behaviors](/products/spectra/behaviors) for SAE rule creation
* [Using Your Model](/products/spectra/using-your-model) for request-time examples