--- description: Configure which AI models AI Search uses for embedding, generation, reranking, and query rewriting. title: Models image: https://developers.cloudflare.com/og-docs.png --- [Skip to content](#main-content) > Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Models Last updated Aug 24, 2026|Copy as Markdown|[View as Markdown](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/configuration/models/index.md)|[Agent setup](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/agent-setup/) AI Search uses models at multiple stages. You can configure which models are used, or let AI Search automatically select a smart default for you. ## Models usage AI Search leverages Workers AI models in the following stages: * Image to markdown conversion (if images are in data source): Converts image content to Markdown using object detection and captioning models. * Embedding: Transforms your documents and queries into vector representations for semantic search. * Query rewriting (optional): Reformulates the user’s query to improve retrieval accuracy. * Reranking (optional): Reorders retrieved results by semantic relevance using a cross-encoder model. * Generation: Produces the final response from retrieved context. ## Model providers All AI Search instances support models from [Workers AI](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/workers-ai). You can use other providers (such as OpenAI or Anthropic) in AI Search by adding their API keys to an [AI Gateway](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-gateway) and connecting that gateway to your AI Search. To use AI Search with other model providers: 1. Add provider keys to [AI Gateway](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-gateway/configuration/bring-your-own-keys/). 2. Connect the gateway to AI Search. * When creating a new AI Search, select the AI Gateway with your provider keys. * For an existing AI Search, go to **Settings** and switch to a gateway that has your keys under **Resources**. 3. Select models * Embedding model: Only available to be changed when creating a new AI Search. * Generation model: Can be selected when creating a new AI Search and can be changed at any time in **Settings**. AI Search supports a subset of models that have been selected to provide the best experience. Refer to the list of [supported models](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/configuration/models/supported-models/). ### Smart default If you choose **Smart Default** in your model selection, then AI Search will select a Cloudflare recommended model and will update it automatically for you over time. You can switch to explicit model configuration at any time by visiting **Settings**. ### Per-request generation model override While the generation model can be set globally at the AI Search instance level, you can also override it on a per-request basis in the [AI Search API](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/api/search/rest-api/#chat-completions). This is useful when you need dynamic selection of generation models based on context or user preferences. ## Model deprecation AI Search may deprecate support for a given model in order to provide support for better-performing models with improved capabilities. When a model is being deprecated, we announce the change and provide an end-of-life date after which the model will no longer be accessible. Applications that depend on AI Search may therefore require occasional updates to continue working reliably. ### Model lifecycle AI Search models follow a defined lifecycle to ensure stability and predictable deprecation: 1. **Production:** The model is actively supported and recommended for use. It is included in Smart Defaults and receives ongoing updates and maintenance. 2. **Announcement & Transition:** The model remains available but has been marked for deprecation. An end-of-life date is communicated through documentation, release notes, and other official channels. During this phase, users are encouraged to migrate to the recommended replacement model. 3. **Automatic Upgrade (if applicable):** If you have selected the Smart Default option, AI Search will automatically upgrade requests to a recommended replacement. 4. **End of life:** The model is no longer available. Any requests to the retired model return a clear error message, and the model is removed from documentation and Smart Defaults. Learn more about models and their lifecycle status in [supported models](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/configuration/models/supported-models/). ### Best practices * Regularly check the [release note](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/platform/release-note/) for updates. * Plan migration efforts according to the communicated end-of-life date. * Migrate and test the recommended replacement models before the end-of-life date. Was this helpful? YesNo ## On this page [![](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/_astro/logo.te5VL_aD.svg)Docs](https://docs-durable-objects-instance-replaced-errors.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"TechArticle","@id":"https://developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/configuration/models/#page","headline":"Models · Cloudflare AI Search docs","description":"Configure which AI models AI Search uses for embedding, generation, reranking, and query rewriting.","url":"https://developers.cloudflare.com/ai-search/configuration/models/","inLanguage":"en","image":"https://developers.cloudflare.com/og-docs.png","dateModified":"2026-08-24","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Cloudflare","description":"One platform for your apps, agents, and workforce. 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