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

# Customization

> Where to go when presets are not enough and you need custom cascades, validators, or domain-specific behavior.

Use this page when the default routing or validation behavior is not enough for the workload.

## Customization Areas

| Area                                | Deep guide                                                                                                        | Example                                                                                                                                              |
| ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Custom cascades                     | [custom\_cascade.md](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/docs/guides/custom_cascade.md)            | [examples/custom\_cascade.py](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/examples/custom_cascade.py)                                         |
| Custom validation                   | [custom\_validation.md](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/docs/guides/custom_validation.md)      | [examples/custom\_validation.py](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/examples/custom_validation.py)                                   |
| Semantic quality and domain signals | [quickstart.md](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/docs/guides/quickstart.md)                     | [examples/semantic\_quality\_domain\_detection.py](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/examples/semantic_quality_domain_detection.py) |
| Rate or budget strategies           | [user-budget-tracking.md](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/docs/guides/user-budget-tracking.md) | [examples/rate\_limiting\_usage.py](https://github.com/lemony-ai/cascadeflow/blob/main/examples/rate_limiting_usage.py)                              |

## Guidance

* Start with defaults or presets.
* Only add custom routing when the workload has clear domain or policy needs.
* Prefer example-backed patterns over ad hoc implementation.