# Parasail Batch API Documentation

Parasail's batch API is a direct drop-in replacement for OpenAI's batch API. The same documentation, guides, and client libraries apply.

## Base URL

```plaintext
https://api.parasail.io/v1
```

## Client Setup

```python
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://api.parasail.io/v1",
    api_key="<PARASAIL_API_KEY>",
)
```

## Key Differences from OpenAI

- Use the Parasail URL instead of OpenAI's.
- Use your Parasail API key ([create one here](https://www.saas.parasail.io/keys)).
- Use an open source model from Hugging Face instead of ChatGPT.
- Up to **50,000 requests** and **1000 MB** per input file (vs OpenAI's 250 MB).

## OpenAI API Reference

- [OpenAI Batch API reference](https://platform.openai.com/docs/api-reference/batch)
- [OpenAI Files API reference](https://platform.openai.com/docs/api-reference/files)

## Batch Helper Library

Parasail provides a Python batch helper library that simplifies batch submission and monitoring:

```bash
pip install openai-batch
```

See the [openai-batch GitHub repository](https://github.com/parasail-ai/openai-batch) and [batch full guide](https://docs.parasail.io/parasail-docs/products/quickstart) for details.

## Batch File Format

The batch input file is a JSONL file where each line is a request. The format is 100% compatible with OpenAI. See [Batch file format](https://docs.parasail.io/parasail-docs/products/quickstart/file-format).

## Batch Priority

Batches have a default priority of `0`. Set a higher priority by passing the `PARASAIL_PRIORITY` metadata key when creating the batch.

```python
from openai_batch import Batch

with Batch() as batch:
    for i in range(100):
        batch.add_to_batch(
            model="NousResearch/DeepHermes-3-Mistral-24B-Preview",
            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": f"Prompt #{i}"}],
        )

batch.submit(metadata={"PARASAIL_PRIORITY": "1"})
```

Use priority sparingly for urgent jobs. Standard jobs should omit this metadata and use the default priority.