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

# Principles

> The core ideas that guide AI Stats and the Gateway.

AI Stats is built around a few simple principles that keep the platform reliable, open, and easy to use.

## Openness and transparency

* Keep the Gateway and data model auditable and easy to understand.
* Make pricing, routing, and performance visible wherever possible.

## One API for every model

* Provide a consistent surface that works across providers and modalities.
* Minimize provider-specific rewrites when models change.

## Portability and resilience

* Route requests to healthy providers and recover from upstream issues.
* Avoid lock-in by keeping the API compatible with major model ecosystems.

## Observability by default

* Capture usage, latency, and error signals so teams can operate safely.
* Expose diagnostics via the API and dashboard for production visibility.

## Respectful community

* Encourage constructive feedback and contributions from all users.
* Maintain clear contributor expectations and a shared code of conduct.

## Next steps

* Start with the [Quickstart](../quickstart.mdx).
* Learn [Routing and fallbacks](./routing-and-fallbacks.mdx).
* Dive into the [API Reference](../api-reference/introduction.mdx).