OpenAI Astra API Adds Async Function Calling and Mid-Turn Steering
September 3, 2026
OpenAI's Astra API introduces asynchronous function calling, allowing models to continue processing while tools execute. It also enables mid-turn steering to inject messages or tool outputs during reasoning and allows adjusting reasoning effort levels without invalidating existing caches.
HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU
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builderYou can reduce latency in agentic workflows by running tools in parallel with model reasoning.