Operations

Time to first token

TTFT measures how fast the first token arrives.

Quick definition

TTFT measures how fast the first token arrives.

  • Category: Operations
  • Focus: performance and reliability
  • Used in: Reducing time-to-first-token with streaming.

What it means

It affects perceived responsiveness. In operations workflows, time to first token often shapes performance and reliability.

How it works

Operations covers latency, throughput, and cost. Systems often use caching, batching, and monitoring to scale reliably.

Why it matters

Operational choices impact cost, latency, and reliability.

Common use cases

  • Reducing time-to-first-token with streaming.
  • Managing costs with token budgets and caching.
  • Tracking usage and errors with logs and metrics.

Example

Aim for under 500ms.

Pitfalls and tips

Ignoring limits can cause timeouts or rate limiting. Set budgets and monitor usage to avoid surprises.

In BoltAI

In BoltAI, this shows up in performance, logging, or usage views.