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[ARTICLE · art-159968] src=vercel.com ↗ pub= topic=ai-infrastructure verified=true sentiment=↑ positive

Virtual models now available on AI Gateway

Vercel added virtual models to its AI Gateway, letting teams save a model-plus-settings configuration under a custom ID such as `vmc/coding-agent` and call it from apps and agents. Changing the underlying model or settings in AI Gateway takes effect without redeploying apps or reconfiguring agents, and the configurations can enforce provider routing, fallback models and Zero Data Retention, and attach custom reporting tags for spend attribution. Virtual models work with every model type on AI Gateway and can be created on the Virtual Models page or via the Vercel CLI.

by read1 min views1 publishedOct 28, 2026

Virtual models are now available on AI Gateway. A virtual model is a saved configuration that tells AI Gateway which model and settings to use. Your apps and agents call it with a custom model ID, such as vmc/coding-agent. You can change the model or settings centrally in AI Gateway without redeploying your apps or reconfiguring your agents.

Use virtual models to: Configure coding agents: Set reasoning effort, fast mode, prompt caching, and other options even when your agent doesn’t expose them.

Control routing and compliance: Choose providers, configure fallback models, and enforce requirements such as Zero Data Retention.

Attribute spend: Attach custom reporting tags to every request that uses the virtual model. To create a virtual model, open the Virtual Models page and click Create Virtual Model. Enter a slug, choose the underlying model, configure the settings you want requests to use, and save.

Or create one with the Vercel CLI: To use a virtual model, replace the provider model ID in your AI SDK or compatible API requests with vmc/<slug>, such as vmc/coding-agent.

For coding agents, connect to AI Gateway with vercel ai-gateway setup if needed, then select your virtual model in the agent’s model picker or configuration. Virtual models work with every model type on AI Gateway. Read the launch post for examples or learn more in the virtual models documentation.

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