Messages API
Create Claude conversations through the Anthropic native protocol. kineticRouter is compatible with the documented subset with the Anthropic Messages API, so you can use the official SDK directly.
Endpoint
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Authentication
The Anthropic protocol uses the x-api-key header:
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This page preserves the Anthropic-native request shape as an integration reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Request Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
model | string | ✅ | Model identifier, e.g. anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 |
max_tokens | number | ✅ | Maximum tokens to generate |
messages | array | ✅ | Message array |
system | string | — | System prompt |
temperature | number | — | Sampling temperature 0-1 |
top_p | number | — | Nucleus sampling parameter |
top_k | number | — | Top-K sampling |
stream | boolean | — | Enable streaming response |
tools | array | — | Tool definitions |
tool_choice | object | — | Tool selection strategy |
thinking | object | — | Claude thinking configuration; valid values depend on the model version |
output_config | object | — | Output configuration for Claude 4.6+ adaptive thinking, such as effort |
Message Format
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This page preserves the Anthropic-native request shape as an integration reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Claude Thinking Modes
Claude thinking parameters differ by model version. Configure thinking for the exact model you call, and do not send adaptive or budget_tokens to models that do not support them.
| Model | Recommended configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5, anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5 | Manual thinking | Use enabled + budget_tokens; does not support adaptive |
anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6, anthropic/claude-opus-4.6 | Adaptive thinking | Use adaptive; manual budget_tokens still works, but is no longer recommended |
anthropic/claude-opus-4.7+ | Adaptive thinking | Use adaptive only; does not support manual budget_tokens |
budget_tokens must be less than max_tokens. Thinking consumes output tokens and is billed as output usage. If you only need the final answer, use display: "omitted" where supported to avoid returning thinking text.
Manual Thinking: Sonnet 4.5 / Haiku 4.5
claude-sonnet-4.5 and claude-haiku-4.5 use manual thinking and require an explicit budget_tokens value.
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Adaptive Thinking: Sonnet 4.6 / Opus 4.6
claude-sonnet-4.6 and claude-opus-4.6 should use adaptive thinking. Set output_config.effort to low, medium, or high based on task complexity.
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Opus 4.7+: Do Not Use budget_tokens
claude-opus-4.7+ should continue to use thinking: {"type":"adaptive"}. Do not send manual budget_tokens to these models, or the upstream provider may return a parameter error.
Request Examples
cURL
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Response Format
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Streaming
Python
The Anthropic-native route is planned and its configuration is shown only as a reference. This example is intentionally not copyable in its current display state.
Supported Models
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
anthropic/claude-opus-4.6 | Claude Opus 4 — Most capable |
anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 | Claude Sonnet 4 — Balanced performance |
anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5 | Claude Sonnet 4.5 — Supports manual thinking |
anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5 | Claude Haiku 4.5 — Fast responses |
kineticRouter’s Anthropic protocol supports all native features, including Vision, Tool Use, Prompt Caching, Extended Thinking, and more. For the complete available model list, use the Models API or Model Plaza.