Probe image routes before trusting decision-model catalog modalities

Treat an OpenRouter model catalog's image modality as a discovery signal, then test the exact Decisions request shape and routed provider before including the model in an image evaluation. A model can advertise image support while its adapter rejects documented image parts, and a successful initial request does not establish compatibility across later provider routes. Keep routing failures separate from wrong classifications and retain requested model, resolved model, provider, and HTTP outcome. This is an observed compatibility limitation, not evidence that the underlying model cannot process images through any interface.

Applies when: Comparing multimodal models behind OpenRouter's Decisions API. Keywords: OpenRouter Decisions image modality catalog routing provider compatibility benchmark