Use GPT-5 Mini (openai/gpt-5-mini).
o3 is overkill here.
~8.6× cheaper per run.
Which AI model should you use to debug an API timeout?
Why ->
This work needs synthesis and solid coding ability, but it still lives inside a clear task boundary. Moving to a frontier tier usually costs more than the extra reasoning is worth here.
Cost breakdown
| Model | Provider | Tier | Input cost | Output cost | Est. / 1k calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5 Mini openai/gpt-5-mini | Openai | Moderate | $0.000250 | $0.002000 | $1.25 |
| o3 openai/o3 | Openai | Deep | $0.002000 | $0.008000 | $10.80 |
Matched signals
- debug
This recommendation is based on the task description alone. If you are attaching a large codebase, mention it in the input above.
Model pricing: OpenRouter model catalog, retrieved April 17, 2026. Classification: rightmodel ruleset v2.
Related tasks
Translate Error Message to Plain English
RoutineRewrite a dense error message into direct plain language and the likely next debugging step.
Use Gemini 2.0 Flash.
Summarize Log Output for Triage
RoutineCondense noisy application logs into likely failure points and the next debugging question.
Use Gemini 2.0 Flash.
Debug an Intermittent Production Error
DeepTrace a hard to reproduce production issue across logs, deploys, and cross service behaviour.
Use o3.