capabilities-forecast-fine_tuning.mdx

---
title: "Fine-tuning"
description: "How to fine-tune TimeGPT forecasts using finetune_steps and finetune_depth parameters for improved accuracy."
icon: "gear"
---

## Overview

You can fine-tune TimeGPT forecasts by specifying the `finetune_steps` parameter. Fine-tuning allows you to further adjust the model to the nuances of your specific time series data, potentially improving forecast accuracy.

<Info>
Fine-tuning uses additional training iterations on your own dataset. While it can improve forecast performance, it also increases the compute time needed to generate predictions.
</Info>

---

## Key Fine-tuning Concepts

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="finetune_steps" icon="gear">
    The number of additional training steps to run. Increasing this value can improve accuracy, but also requires more computation.
  </Card>
  <Card title="finetune_depth" icon="circle-up">
    The intensity or depth of the fine-tuning. By default, `finetune_depth=1`. Increasing it can further refine forecasts but also makes training more resource-intensive.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
If you set both `finetune_steps` and `finetune_depth` too high, the training process can become very time-consuming.
</Warning>

---

## Setting Up Your Environment

Before creating forecasts, you need to install and initialize the Nixtla client with your API key.

<Steps>
  <Steps title="Install and Import Libraries">
    ```python Import Libraries
    import pandas as pd
    from nixtla import NixtlaClient
    ```
  </Steps>
  <Steps title="Initialize the Nixtla Client">
    ```python Initialize Nixtla Client
    nixtla_client = NixtlaClient(
        # defaults to os.environ.get("NIXTLA_API_KEY")
        api_key="my_api_key_provided_by_nixtla"
    )
    ```
  </Steps>
</Steps>

<Info>
If you're using an Azure AI endpoint, set the `base_url` parameter accordingly:
</Info>

```python Azure AI Configuration
nixtla_client = NixtlaClient(
    base_url="your azure ai endpoint",
    api_key="your api_key"
)
```

---

## Forecasting with Fine-tuning

Follow these steps to fine-tune your TimeGPT forecasts.

<Steps>
  <Steps title="Load Data">
    ```python Load Dataset
    df = pd.read_csv(
        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Nixtla/transfer-learning-time-series/main/datasets/air_passengers.csv"
    )
    ```
  </Steps>
  <Steps title="Create a Forecast (Example: 5 Fine-tune Steps)">
    ```python Fine-tune Forecast Example
    forecast_df = nixtla_client.forecast(
        df=df,
        h=12,
        finetune_steps=5,
        time_col="timestamp",
        target_col="value"
    )
    ```
  </Steps>
</Steps>

<Check>
If you are using Azure AI, specify the model name explicitly:
</Check>

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Azure AI Model Usage
  nixtla_client.forecast(
      df=df,
      h=12,
      finetune_steps=5,
      model="azureai",
      time_col="timestamp",
      target_col="value"
  )
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Info>
In the public Nixtla API, you can choose from two models:

  - `timegpt-1` (default)

  - `timegpt-1-long-horizon`


See the [long-horizon forecasting tutorial](https://docs.nixtla.io/docs/tutorials-long_horizon_forecasting) for information about when and how to use `timegpt-1-long-horizon`.
</Info>

---

## Advanced Fine-tuning

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Increase Fine-tuning Depth">
    By default, `finetune_depth=1`. You can increase the fine-tuning intensity by specifying a higher `finetune_depth`.

    ```python Increase Fine-tuning Depth Example
    df = pd.read_csv(
        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Nixtla/transfer-learning-time-series/main/datasets/air_passengers.csv"
    )

    forecast_df = nixtla_client.forecast(
        df=df,
        h=12,
        finetune_steps=5,
        finetune_depth=2,
        time_col="timestamp",
        target_col="value"
    )
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Info>
Increasing `finetune_depth` and `finetune_steps` will increase computation time, thus requiring more time to generate predictions.
</Info>

---

## Additional Resources

For more detailed information and advanced configurations, see the
[fine-tuning tutorial](https://docs.nixtla.io/docs/tutorials-fine_tuning).