Quickstart

This page shows how to run Vela preflight checks in a Next.js server route and call AI SDK streamText() only when execution is allowed. The key point is that blocked / deny paths do not call the model runtime, and only the allow path uses the relay-backed model.

1. Packages

pnpm add @vel4ai/sdk @vel4ai/ai-sdk ai

@vel4ai/sdk is required. @vel4ai/ai-sdk is an optional adapter that bundles the provider and callbacks for AI SDK streamText().

2. Environment Variables

VELA_APP_ID=app_xxx
VELA_APP_TOKEN=vela_sk_xxx
# Only when using a local or preview API
VELA_BASE_URL=http://localhost:4000

Do not make VELA_CUSTOMER_TENANT_ID and VELA_DELEGATION_ID required production environment variables. Resolve execution scope from the Hosted Connect return URL, database, session, or request body.

3. Route Handler

import { createVelaOpenAI } from "@vel4ai/ai-sdk";
import {
  createVelaClientFromEnvironment,
  createVelaEnvironmentDiagnosticsResponse,
  createVelaErrorResponse,
  createVelaIntegration,
  getVelaEnvironmentDiagnostics,
  resolveVelaExecutionScope,
} from "@vel4ai/sdk";
import { streamText } from "ai";

declare const process: { env: Record<string, string | undefined> };
declare function toModelMessages(messages: unknown): Promise<unknown[]>;

const CHAT_ESTIMATED_COST_USD = 0.05;

export async function POST(req: Request): Promise<Response> {
  const environment = getVelaEnvironmentDiagnostics({ env: process.env });

  if (!environment.ok) {
    return createVelaEnvironmentDiagnosticsResponse(environment);
  }

  try {
    const body = (await req.json()) as { messages?: unknown; vela?: unknown };
    const executionScope = resolveVelaExecutionScope(body.vela);

    if (!executionScope) {
      return Response.json(
        { error: "Vela execution scope is missing." },
        { status: 400 },
      );
    }

    const client = createVelaClientFromEnvironment({ env: process.env });
    const vela = createVelaIntegration({ client, executionScope });
    const prepared = await vela.prepareExecutionWithResponse({
      estimatedCostUsd: CHAT_ESTIMATED_COST_USD,
    });

    if (prepared.outcome !== "allow") {
      return prepared.response;
    }

    const result = streamText(
      {
        model: createVelaOpenAI(prepared).model,
        messages: await toModelMessages(body.messages),
      },
    );

    return result.toUIMessageStreamResponse();
  } catch (error) {
    return createVelaErrorResponse(error, {
      fallbackMessage: "Vela chat failed unexpectedly.",
    });
  }
}

4. Implementation Checks

• Return missing env before reading the request body.
• Return 400 for requests without execution scope.
• Return prepared.response unchanged when prepared.outcome !== "allow".
• Call streamText() only after allow.
• Do not call app-side report helpers after using the Vela-managed relay; the relay records execution results.