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

# Drop-in Replacement

> Replace your existing AI SDK connections with Vikat by changing just the base URL. Keep your code, gain advanced features like fallbacks, load balancing, and governance.

## Zero Code Changes

The Vikat Gateway acts as a drop-in replacement for popular AI SDKs. This means you can point your existing OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google GenAI client to Vikat's HTTP gateway and instantly gain access to advanced features without rewriting your application.

The magic happens with a single line change: update your `base_url` to point to Vikat's gateway, and everything else stays exactly the same.

## How It Works

Vikat provides **100% compatible endpoints** for popular AI SDKs by acting as a protocol adapter. Your existing SDK code continues to work unchanged, but now benefits from Vikat's multi-provider support, automatic failovers, semantic caching, and governance features.

<Tabs group="drop-in-replacement">
  <Tab title="OpenAI SDK">
    ```python theme={null}
    # Before: Direct to OpenAI
    client = openai.OpenAI(
        api_key="your-openai-key"
    )

    # After: Through Vikat
    client = openai.OpenAI(
        base_url="http://localhost:8080/openai",  # Only change needed
        api_key="dummy-key"  # Keys handled by Vikat
    )
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Anthropic SDK">
    ```python theme={null}
    # Before: Direct to Anthropic
    client = anthropic.Anthropic(
        api_key="your-anthropic-key"
    )

    # After: Through Vikat
    client = anthropic.Anthropic(
        base_url="http://localhost:8080/anthropic",  # Only change needed
        api_key="dummy-key"  # Keys handled by Vikat
    )
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Instant Advanced Features

Once your SDK points to Vikat, you automatically get:

* **Multi-provider support** with automatic failovers
* **Load balancing** across multiple API keys
* **Semantic caching** for faster responses
* **Governance controls** for usage monitoring and budgets
* **Request/response logging** and analytics
* **Rate limiting** and circuit breakers

and so much more! All without changing a **single line** of your application logic.

## Complete Integration Support

Vikat provides drop-in compatibility for multiple popular AI SDKs and frameworks:

* **[OpenAI SDK](../integrations/openai-sdk)**
* **[Anthropic SDK](../integrations/anthropic-sdk)**
* **[Google GenAI SDK](../integrations/genai-sdk)**
* **[LiteLLM](../integrations/litellm-sdk)**
* **[LangChain](../integrations/langchain-sdk)**

**For detailed setup instructions and compatibility information:** [Complete Integration Guide](../integrations/what-is-an-integration)