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

# Kardinal Route Optimization API

> Integrate Kardinal's logistics optimization API: route calculation, constraint management, real-time re-optimization.

Kardinal's Route Optimization API turns your fleet, orders, and business constraints into an optimized route plan, and keeps it optimized as reality changes — a late delivery, a cancelled order, an urgent stop — without restarting from scratch. Most routing engines have to restart optimization from scratch after every change; Kardinal treats an update as a continuation of the same problem, not a new one. You control the trade-offs explicitly (fewer vehicles vs. faster service vs. lower cost) instead of treating the engine as a black box.

It models operations across a wide range of logistics verticals, from last-mile delivery to waste collection and field-service dispatch — see the [modeling examples by industry](/case-studies/overview) for how these constraints play out per vertical. This documentation covers technical integration and the concepts behind the optimization engine. **It's written agent-first: clear structure, explicit terminology, and worked examples an integration agent can act on directly.**

A few examples of what Kardinal models, by industry (not an exhaustive list — the same constraint model applies to other verticals too):

* [Parcel & express](/case-studies/parcel-express) — a mixed van/bike/walker fleet, capacity-gated pickup/drop-off point (PUDO) rounds, and zone preference in a dense urban network.
* [Waste and bulk-collection](/case-studies/waste-collection) — alternative disposal outlets, material changeover time, incompatible loads, and heavy-vehicle routing on a mixed fleet.
* [Cold-chain last-mile](/case-studies/cold-chain-last-mile) — single-mode-at-a-time refrigerated compartments, trusted-keychain deliveries, zone preference, and predictive traffic.
* [Field services](/case-studies/field-services) — technicians dispatched from home, skill-based assignment, and opportunistic scheduling for lower-priority jobs.
* [Bulky & heavy goods](/case-studies/bulky-heavy-goods) — capacity-gated customer returns, a subcontractor revenue floor, equipment-dependent service time, and two-person crews.
* [Heavy long distance](/case-studies/heavy-long-distance) — reserved warehouse slots, load-aware CO2 accounting, self-closing consolidation loops, and a real overnight rest.
* [Retail last-mile](/case-studies/retail-last-mile) — key-holder-only access windows, blended subcontractor/in-house costs, and pre-opening store drops.

See [Modeling examples by industry](/case-studies/overview) for the full set.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting started" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/first-api-call">
    Send your first API call and get an optimized route in under 15 minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Concepts" icon="lightbulb" href="/concepts/how-the-optimization-engine-works">
    Understand how the optimization engine calculates and prioritizes solutions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Guides" icon="map" href="/guides/authentication">
    Authentication, advanced constraint modeling, real-time re-optimization.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/reference/data-model">
    Endpoints, data model, error codes, and limits and quotas.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Modeling examples" icon="briefcase" href="/case-studies/overview">
    See combined, realistic examples of the constraints that matter most for your industry.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Glossary" icon="book" href="/reference/glossary">
    Unified terminology used throughout this documentation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security & compliance" icon="shield" href="/concepts/data-security">
    EU hosting, encryption, GDPR, and certification status.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pricing & SLA" icon="credit-card" href="/reference/pricing-and-credits">
    Credit-based pricing, buying packs, and support/SLA commitments.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Kardinal uses a credit-based pricing model: every new account starts with 1,000 free credits, and additional packs are available directly from the [Console](https://console.kardinal.ai) — no sales conversation required to get started. See [Pricing and credits](/reference/pricing-and-credits) for how credits are consumed. For a custom volume arrangement, contact [customer.success@kardinal.ai](mailto:customer.success@kardinal.ai).


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