A simple way to test model fallbacks with RouterBase

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Learn to test model fallbacks with RouterBase using a simple fallback wrapper and OpenAI-compatible API surface

intermediate Published 1 Jul 2026

Action Steps

Create a tiny fallback wrapper using JavaScript and the RouterBase API
Configure the model choice to stay configurable for easier testing
Use the OpenAI-compatible API surface at https://routerbase.com/v1 to prototype fallback behavior
Test different AI providers, latency profiles, or cost envelopes using the fallback wrapper
Implement the fallback logic in a larger production system after successful prototyping

Who Needs to Know This

Developers and teams testing different AI providers, latency profiles, or cost envelopes can benefit from this approach to simplify fallback logic and prototype fallback behavior

Key Insight

💡 RouterBase provides an OpenAI-compatible API surface for prototyping fallback behavior before changing a larger production system

Key Takeaways

Learn to test model fallbacks with RouterBase using a simple fallback wrapper and OpenAI-compatible API surface

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Title: A simple way to test model fallbacks with RouterBase

URL Source: https://dev.to/routerbasecom/a-simple-way-to-test-model-fallbacks-with-routerbase-5d85

Published Time: 2026-07-01T02:47:06Z

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Posted on Jul 1

# A simple way to test model fallbacks with RouterBase

[#ai](https://dev.to/t/ai)[#api](https://dev.to/t/api)[#llm](https://dev.to/t/llm)[#tutorial](https://dev.to/t/tutorial)

Fallback logic is easier to reason about when the application has one request shape and the model choice stays configurable. That is especially useful for teams testing different AI providers, latency profiles, or cost envelopes.

[RouterBase](https://routerbase.com/) gives developers an OpenAI-compatible API surface at `https://routerbase.com/v1`, which makes it a good place to prototype fallback behavior before changing a larger production system.

## [](https://dev.to/routerbasecom/a-simple-way-to-test-model-fallbacks-with-routerbase-5d85#a-tiny-fallback-wrapper) A tiny fallback wrapper

```
const baseUrl = "https://routerbase.com/v1/chat/completions";

async function runPrompt(model, prompt) {

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A simple way to test model fallbacks with RouterBase

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