Quickstart - Whitney

1. Create a key

Create a test or live key in the Whitney portal and copy it once. New keys use whitney_test_… or whitney_live_….

export WHITNEY_BASE_URL="https://api.staging.trywhitney.com"
export WHITNEY_API_KEY="whitney_test_..."

2. Inspect the current contract

curl "$WHITNEY_BASE_URL/v1/training/capabilities" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $WHITNEY_API_KEY"

The response is an allowlist. Choose a returned model, or let Whitney choose the provider by sending provider: auto.

3. Create a session

curl -X POST "$WHITNEY_BASE_URL/v1/training/sessions" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $WHITNEY_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "request_id": "quickstart-session-1",
    "provider": "auto",
    "funding_preference": "platform"
  }'

Save the returned ID. Session creation is asynchronous; poll GET /v1/training/sessions/{session_id} until the status is ready before creating the run. When max_cost_microusd is omitted for platform funding, Whitney applies an organization spend ceiling. Set an explicit max_cost_microusd if you need a hard ceiling for a single session.

4. Create a LoRA run

curl -X POST \
  "$WHITNEY_BASE_URL/v1/training/sessions/$SESSION_ID/runs" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $WHITNEY_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "request_id": "quickstart-run-1",
    "base_model": "Qwen/Qwen3.5-4B",
    "tuning_mode": "lora",
    "lora": {
      "rank": 32,
      "train_mlp": true,
      "train_attn": true,
      "train_unembed": true
    }
  }'

Poll the returned run until it can accept operations, then continue with the SFT or GRPO cookbook.

Creating a session can provision paid provider resources. Always finish or cancel the run and close the session, including after local failures.