How to Check the CometAPI Model Catalog Before Publishing Tutorial Code
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15
Direct answer
When you write a tutorial snippet that calls the CometAPI chat completions or responses endpoint, you hardcode a model identifier string. If that identifier has been deprecated or renamed since you drafted the snippet, the code will fail for readers. The safe workflow is to query the model catalog endpoint before publishing, confirm the identifier you used appears in the current list, and update the snippet if it does not.
This page walks through that pre-publication verification workflow, explains which endpoint to call, what a passing check looks like, and what to log for traceability. Exact endpoint paths and request field names must be verified in the linked official sources before running any requests.
Who this is for
This guide is for tutorial authors, developer advocates, and documentation maintainers who:
- Write or review code examples that pass a model identifier to CometAPI endpoints
- Need a repeatable pre-publication check to catch stale model strings before readers encounter them
- Want a minimal log record they can attach to a pull request or review ticket
It assumes you already have API access and can send authenticated requests to the CometAPI base URL. Authentication requirements should be confirmed in the official CometAPI chat completions reference before sending any request.
Key takeaways
- The CometAPI models catalog is the authoritative source for which model identifiers are currently supported. Check it before publishing any snippet that uses a model identifier.
- A passing pre-publication check means the model identifier in your tutorial appears in the current catalog response. It does not guarantee pricing, availability windows, or latency targets — those require separate verification in the official documentation.
- If the models endpoint returns a catalog that does not include your snippet’s identifier, update the snippet and re-run the check before publishing.
- Keep a brief log record of each check so reviewers and future maintainers can trace when the model identifier was last confirmed.
For related guidance on validating the full chat completions contract, see Validate CometAPI Chat Completions for Production.
Smoke-test workflow
Setup assumptions
- You have a valid API key for CometAPI.
- You can send HTTPS requests to the CometAPI API base URL. Verify the current base URL in the CometAPI documentation overview.
- You have identified all model identifier strings used in the tutorial snippet you plan to publish.
Happy-path request plan
- Send a request to the models list endpoint. See the CometAPI models reference for the exact path and required headers.
- Receive an HTTP 2xx response containing a list of model objects.
- Extract the identifier field from each object and build a set of currently supported identifiers. The exact field name is documented in the models reference.
- Check that each model identifier string from your tutorial snippet appears in that set.
- If all identifiers are present, the model catalog check passes and the snippet is safe to publish from a model-availability standpoint.
Error-path check
If any identifier from your snippet is absent from the current catalog response:
- Do not publish the snippet as-is.
- Consult the models reference for currently supported identifiers.
- Update the snippet with a supported identifier, then re-run the happy-path check until all identifiers pass.
- Document the substitution in your log record.
Minimum assertions
- Models endpoint returns HTTP 2xx.
- Response body contains at least one model object.
- Each tutorial snippet model identifier string matches at least one identifier in the catalog response.
What the smoke test must not assert
- Do not assert specific pricing for a model identifier; pricing details are not surfaced by the catalog endpoint and require separate verification.
- Do not assert rate limit values or quota ceilings; those are account-specific.
- Do not assert specific uptime or availability SLAs.
- Do not assert that a model will remain available after publication; the check is a point-in-time verification only.
Sanitized log record template
After each pre-publication catalog check, record the following fields. Use placeholder values only; do not include actual API keys, full response payloads, or personal data in the shared log.
check_date: YYYY-MM-DD
tutorial_slug: <your-tutorial-slug-here>
models_endpoint_response_status: 2xx
catalog_identifiers_checked:
- <model-id-placeholder-1>
- <model-id-placeholder-2>
all_identifiers_found: true | false
substitutions_made: none | [<old-placeholder> -> <new-placeholder>]
reviewer_handle: <reviewer-handle>
notes: ""
Failure modes
- Evidence gap: the check cannot proceed because the models endpoint is unreachable or returns an unexpected error format. Log the HTTP status and any non-credential error details, then pause publication until the catalog is accessible.
- Stale draft gap: significant time passes between draft completion and publication. Re-run the catalog check just before publishing; identifiers that passed during drafting may have changed status.
- Scope drift: the author edits surrounding snippet code while fixing a model identifier mismatch, inadvertently altering behavior unrelated to the identifier. Scope the repair to the identifier string only and treat other changes as a separate review.
- Environment mismatch: a local check uses different credentials, feature flags, or base URLs than the hosted path. Record the environment details alongside the log record before treating the result as proof.
- Unreviewed fallback: an author substitutes a model identifier to make the catalog check pass without verifying whether the replacement model supports the same capabilities demonstrated in the tutorial. Confirm the replacement model’s capability surface in the models reference before publishing.
- Weak handoff: the log record is incomplete — missing the check date, response status, or substitution notes — making it impossible for the next maintainer to trace the verification. Follow the log template fields in full.
Sources checked
- CometAPI documentation - accessed 2026-06-15; purpose: verify current CometAPI documentation navigation.
- CometAPI models overview - accessed 2026-06-15; purpose: verify model catalog discovery guidance.
- CometAPI chat completions reference - accessed 2026-06-15; purpose: verify chat completion contract areas.
- CometAPI responses reference - accessed 2026-06-15; purpose: verify responses endpoint contract areas.
Contract details to verify
| Area | What to verify | Source URL | Accessed | Safe candidate wording |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication headers | Required header name and token format for models and chat requests | https://apidoc.cometapi.com/api/text/chat | 2026-06-15 | “Authenticate using the method described in the official chat completions reference” |
Reader next step
Use CometAPI Base URL and Endpoint Family Review as the next comparison point to confirm the base URL and endpoint family your snippet targets. Keep How to Smoke-test the CometAPI Chat Completion Contract nearby for setup and permission checks once the model catalog check passes.
Use CometAPI Base URL and Endpoint Family Review as the next comparison point. Keep How to Smoke-test the CometAPI Chat Completion Contract nearby for setup and permission checks.
FAQ
Why does the model identifier matter for a published tutorial snippet?
A snippet that uses a deprecated or unavailable model identifier will fail when a reader tries to run it. Checking the catalog before publishing ensures the identifier is currently supported and reduces the chance your tutorial breaks for readers immediately after publication.
How often should I run this check?
Run it each time you create or revise a tutorial that includes a model identifier. If significant time passes between draft and publication, run the check again just before publishing. Consult the CometAPI models reference for any notes on deprecation timelines or identifier changes.
What if my tutorial covers multiple endpoints?
Verify each model identifier used across all endpoints. The chat completions reference at apidoc.cometapi.com/api/text/chat and the responses reference at apidoc.cometapi.com/api/text/responses describe the model field for each endpoint separately. For deeper coverage of catalog validation during the integration setup phase, see How to Validate the CometAPI Model Catalog Before Integration.
Should I pin a specific model identifier in my tutorial or use a placeholder?
If the snippet demonstrates a capability tied to a specific model type, use a real identifier and note in the tutorial that it was verified at publication time using this pre-publication check. If you need a generic example, use a clearly labeled placeholder and direct readers to the models reference to substitute a currently supported identifier.
Where can I find which model identifiers are currently supported?
The CometAPI models reference is the authoritative source. Check it directly rather than relying on a cached or third-party list, as the catalog can change between publication cycles.
What should I do if the models endpoint returns an error during the check?
Log the HTTP status and any error details (excluding credentials), then retry before proceeding. A persistent error from the models endpoint is a signal to pause publication until the catalog is accessible and your check can complete successfully.