Why it matters

Query routing is huge cost lever. Understanding shapes cost-efficient serving.

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The architecture

Classifier: LLM or ML model. Categorizes query.

Route to matching model tier.

Query routing flowClassifiercategorize queryCheap modelsimple queriesExpensive modelcomplex queriesClassifier can be cheap SLM itself; cost amortized across queries
Router design.
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How it works end to end

Classifier types: keyword rules (simplest), ML classifier, LLM as classifier.

Fallback: if cheap model fails, escalate to expensive.

Cost tracking: measure savings per route.