> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.agno.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fallback Models: Basic

> When the primary model fails (after exhausting its own retries), fallback models are tried in order until one succeeds.

```python basic_fallback.py theme={null}
"""
Fallback Models — Basic
=============================

When the primary model fails (after exhausting its own retries),
fallback models are tried in order until one succeeds.
"""

from agno.agent import Agent
from agno.models.anthropic import Claude
from agno.models.openai import OpenAIChat

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Basic: pass a list of fallback models directly
# The primary model points to an unreachable server so it will fail
# with a connection error, then the fallback (Claude) handles the request.
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent = Agent(
    model=OpenAIChat(id="gpt-4o", base_url="http://localhost:1/v1", retries=0),
    fallback_models=[Claude(id="claude-sonnet-4-20250514")],
)

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Run Agent
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
if __name__ == "__main__":
    agent.print_response("What is the meaning of life?", stream=True)
```

## Run the Example

<Steps>
  <Snippet file="create-venv-step.mdx" />

  <Step title="Install dependencies">
    ```bash theme={null}
    uv pip install -U agno anthropic openai
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export your API keys">
    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Mac/Linux theme={null}
      export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your_anthropic_api_key_here"
      export OPENAI_API_KEY="your_openai_api_key_here"
      ```

      ```bash Windows theme={null}
      $Env:ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your_anthropic_api_key_here"
      $Env:OPENAI_API_KEY="your_openai_api_key_here"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the example">
    Save the code above as `basic_fallback.py`, then run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    python basic_fallback.py
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

Full source: [cookbook/02\_agents/17\_fallback\_models/01\_basic\_fallback.py](https://github.com/agno-agi/agno/blob/main/cookbook/02_agents/17_fallback_models/01_basic_fallback.py)