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

# Stemfard response levels: lite, standard, and detailed

> Understand the api_level parameter and when to use lite, standard, or detailed — from quick answer retrieval to full educational context.

The `api_level` parameter controls how much information Stemfard includes in each response. Choosing the right level lets you balance payload size against the richness of data your application needs. Lite keeps responses minimal for fast lookups, standard adds step-by-step solutions for interactive tutoring, and detailed delivers the full educational context for deep integrations.

## Comparing the three levels

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="lite">
    The `lite` level returns the essential fields needed to display a computed answer: `metadata`, `taxonomy`, and `result`. It is the lightest response and the fastest to parse.

    ```json example lite response theme={null}
    {
      "metadata": {
        "result_name": "sum",
        "operation": "add"
      },
      "taxonomy": {
        "topic": "Linear Algebra",
        "subtopic": "Matrix Arithmetic"
      },
      "result": {
        "sum": [[6, 8], [10, 12]]
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="standard">
    The `standard` level extends `lite` with a `steps` array so you can walk users through the solution. Use this when your application needs to display worked solutions alongside the answer.

    ```json example standard response theme={null}
    {
      "metadata": {
        "result_name": "sum",
        "operation": "add"
      },
      "taxonomy": {
        "topic": "Linear Algebra",
        "subtopic": "Matrix Arithmetic"
      },
      "result": {
        "sum": [[6, 8], [10, 12]]
      },
      "steps": [
        {
          "step": 1,
          "description": "Add corresponding elements of matrices A and B",
          "expression": "sum[i][j] = A[i][j] + B[i][j]"
        },
        {
          "step": 2,
          "description": "Compute each element of the result matrix",
          "expression": "sum = [[1+5, 2+6], [3+7, 4+8]] = [[6, 8], [10, 12]]"
        }
      ]
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="detailed">
    The `detailed` level returns every available field: `metadata`, `taxonomy`, `problem`, `request_normalized`, `intermediate`, `result`, `related`, `learning_pathways`, `syntax`, `steps`, and `properties`. Use this when you need the full educational picture.

    ```json example detailed response (abbreviated) theme={null}
    {
      "metadata": {
        "result_name": "sum",
        "operation": "add"
      },
      "taxonomy": {
        "topic": "Linear Algebra",
        "subtopic": "Matrix Arithmetic"
      },
      "problem": {
        "statement": "Find the sum of matrices A and B"
      },
      "request_normalized": {
        "a": [[1, 2], [3, 4]],
        "b": [[5, 6], [7, 8]],
        "operation": "add"
      },
      "result": {
        "sum": [[6, 8], [10, 12]]
      },
      "intermediate": {
        "steps_count": 2
      },
      "steps": [
        {
          "step": 1,
          "description": "Add corresponding elements of matrices A and B",
          "expression": "sum[i][j] = A[i][j] + B[i][j]"
        }
      ],
      "related": [
        { "label": "Matrix subtraction", "href": "/api/v1/mathematics/linear-algebra/matrix-operations/matrix-arithmetic/subtract" }
      ],
      "learning_pathways": [
        { "label": "Matrix multiplication", "href": "/api/v1/mathematics/linear-algebra/matrix-operations/matrix-arithmetic/matmul" }
      ],
      "syntax": {
        "hint": "POST /api/v1/mathematics/linear-algebra/matrix-operations/matrix-arithmetic/add"
      },
      "properties": {
        "dimensions": [2, 2],
        "is_square": true
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## When to use each level

| Level      | Best for                                                                                                                 |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `lite`     | Answer retrieval widgets, automated grading, or any scenario where you only need the computed result                     |
| `standard` | Interactive tutoring apps, homework helpers, or any UI that shows step-by-step worked solutions                          |
| `detailed` | Full educational platforms, adaptive learning systems, or integrations that surface related topics and learning pathways |

## Switching between levels

Pass `api_level` in the request body to select the level you want. The default is `"detailed"` if you omit the parameter.

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL (lite) theme={null}
  curl --request POST \
    --url https://api.stemfard.com/api/v1/mathematics/linear-algebra/matrix-operations/matrix-arithmetic/add \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
    --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    --data '{
      "a": [[1, 2], [3, 4]],
      "b": [[5, 6], [7, 8]],
      "api_level": "lite"
    }'
  ```

  ```bash cURL (standard) theme={null}
  curl --request POST \
    --url https://api.stemfard.com/api/v1/mathematics/linear-algebra/matrix-operations/matrix-arithmetic/add \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
    --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    --data '{
      "a": [[1, 2], [3, 4]],
      "b": [[5, 6], [7, 8]],
      "api_level": "standard"
    }'
  ```

  ```bash cURL (detailed) theme={null}
  curl --request POST \
    --url https://api.stemfard.com/api/v1/mathematics/linear-algebra/matrix-operations/matrix-arithmetic/add \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
    --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    --data '{
      "a": [[1, 2], [3, 4]],
      "b": [[5, 6], [7, 8]],
      "api_level": "detailed"
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Note>
  Fields like `related`, `learning_pathways`, and `request_normalized` are only present in `detailed` responses and only when their corresponding boolean parameters (`related`, `learning_pathways`, `request_params`) are set to `true`.
</Note>