> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.layerlens.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.layerlens.ai/more-in-this-section-9/client.md).

# Client configuration

## Sync client

```python
from layerlens import Stratix

client = Stratix() # picks up LAYERLENS_STRATIX_API_KEY
client = Stratix(api_key="your-key") # explicit
```

## Async client

```python
from layerlens import AsyncStratix
client = AsyncStratix()
```

## Aliases

For backward compatibility:

```python
from layerlens import Stratix, AsyncStratix # primary
from layerlens import Client, AsyncClient # aliases
from layerlens import Atlas, AsyncAtlas # legacy aliases
from layerlens import PublicClient, AsyncPublicClient
```

## Constructor parameters

`Stratix(api_key, base_url, timeout, max_retries)` and `AsyncStratix(...)`:

| Parameter     | Type                             | Required | Default           | Description            |
| ------------- | -------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------- | ---------------------- |
| `api_key`     | `str \| None`                    | yes\*    | `None`            | Stratix API key        |
| `base_url`    | `str \| httpx.URL \| None`       | no       | Stratix API URL   | Custom base URL        |
| `timeout`     | `float \| httpx.Timeout \| None` | no       | 10 minutes (600s) | Timeout config         |
| `max_retries` | `int`                            | no       | `2`               | Max retries (429, 5xx) |

\*Required unless set via env var.

## Environment variables

| Variable                     | Default                           | Notes                              |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `LAYERLENS_STRATIX_API_KEY`  | (required)                        | Primary key env var                |
| `LAYERLENS_STRATIX_BASE_URL` | `https://api.layerlens.ai/api/v1` | Override for self-hosted / staging |
| `LAYERLENS_ATLAS_API_KEY`    | —                                 | Legacy alias                       |
| `LAYERLENS_ATLAS_BASE_URL`   | —                                 | Legacy alias                       |

## Timeout

```python
client = Stratix(timeout=30.0) # 30 seconds for all requests
client = Stratix(timeout=10*60) # 10 minutes (default)
```

## Per-request override

`.with_options()` returns a copy of the client with overridden options:

```python
result = client.with_options(timeout=300.0).evaluations.create(model=..., benchmark=...)
```

## Retries

The client retries on **429, 500, 502, 503, 504** with exponential backoff and respects `Retry-After`:

```python
client = Stratix(max_retries=5) # for batch-heavy workloads
client = Stratix(max_retries=0) # disable
```

## See also

* [Errors](/more-in-this-section-9/errors-1.md) — exception hierarchy
* [Authentication](/more-in-this-section-9/authentication.md)
* [Public client](/more-in-this-section-9/public-client.md)


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