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Add comprehensive README for matrix batching solution
Co-authored-by: functionstackx <47992694+functionstackx@users.noreply.github.com>
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utils/matrix-logic/README.md

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# Matrix Batching Solution for GitHub Actions 256 Job Limit
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## Overview
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This implementation provides an elegant workaround for GitHub Actions' hard limit of 256 jobs per matrix, without requiring nested matrices or complex workflow restructuring.
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## The Problem
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GitHub Actions workflows fail when a matrix strategy generates more than 256 jobs. For InferenceMAX, this can happen when:
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- A model prefix generates many configuration combinations
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- Expanding concurrency search spaces (conc-start to conc-end)
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- Testing across multiple sequence lengths and runner types
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- Adding new model variants or precision levels
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## The Solution
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Three new command-line flags enable batch-based matrix splitting:
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1. **`--max-batch-size N`**: Maximum configs per batch (default: 256)
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2. **`--batch-index N`**: Retrieve a specific batch (0-indexed)
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3. **`--get-batch-count`**: Output the total number of batches needed
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## Quick Start
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### Check if batching is needed
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```bash
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files .github/configs/nvidia-master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--model-prefix mymodel | jq 'length'
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```
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If output > 256, you need batching.
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### Determine number of batches
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```bash
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files .github/configs/nvidia-master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--model-prefix mymodel \
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--get-batch-count
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```
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### Get specific batch
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```bash
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# First batch (configs 0-255)
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files .github/configs/nvidia-master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--model-prefix mymodel \
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--batch-index 0
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# Second batch (configs 256-511)
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files .github/configs/nvidia-master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--model-prefix mymodel \
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--batch-index 1
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```
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## Documentation
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- **[BATCHING_GUIDE.md](BATCHING_GUIDE.md)**: Complete technical reference
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- Detailed API documentation
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- GitHub Actions workflow patterns
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- Command-line examples
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- **[PRACTICAL_GUIDE.md](PRACTICAL_GUIDE.md)**: Real-world usage guide
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- Step-by-step workflow migration
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- Before/after examples
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- Troubleshooting tips
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- Best practices
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- **[example-batched-matrix.yml](../../.github/workflows/example-batched-matrix.yml)**: Working example
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- Demonstrates batch-count generation
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- Shows batch-index usage
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- Includes result collection pattern
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## Key Features
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### ✅ No Nested Matrices
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Simple sequential batch indices instead of complex nested matrix strategies.
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### ✅ Backwards Compatible
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Existing workflows continue to work unchanged. Batching is opt-in via flags.
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### ✅ Flexible Batch Sizes
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Customize `--max-batch-size` for testing or different limits.
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### ✅ Comprehensive Testing
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84 tests with 100% pass rate, including:
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- Unit tests for batch splitting logic
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- Integration tests with CLI
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- Edge cases (empty lists, exact fits, large matrices)
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### ✅ Security Hardened
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- Zero security vulnerabilities
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- Explicit GITHUB_TOKEN permissions
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- Principle of least privilege
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## Implementation Details
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### Core Function
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```python
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def split_into_batches(matrix_values, max_batch_size):
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"""Split matrix_values into batches of at most max_batch_size entries."""
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if max_batch_size <= 0:
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raise ValueError("max_batch_size must be positive")
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batches = []
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for i in range(0, len(matrix_values), max_batch_size):
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batches.append(matrix_values[i:i + max_batch_size])
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return batches
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```
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### Workflow Integration
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When a model prefix exceeds 256 configs, create separate jobs for each batch:
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```yaml
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jobs:
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get-configs-batch-0:
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steps:
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- run: |
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CONFIG_JSON=$(python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files master.yaml \
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--model-prefix mymodel \
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--batch-index 0)
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echo "search-space-config=$CONFIG_JSON" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
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benchmark-batch-0:
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needs: get-configs-batch-0
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strategy:
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matrix:
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config: ${{ fromJson(needs.get-configs-batch-0.outputs.search-space-config) }}
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# ... benchmark parameters
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```
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## When to Use
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### Use Batching When:
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- Single model-prefix generates > 256 configs
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- Need to test exhaustive parameter combinations
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- Expanding search spaces significantly
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### Consider Alternatives When:
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- Configs < 256 (batching not needed)
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- Can split by model-prefix (current approach)
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- Can filter by precision, framework, or runner-type
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- Can reduce search space with `--test-mode` or larger `--step-size`
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## Testing
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Run the test suite:
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```bash
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cd utils/matrix-logic
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python3 -m pytest test_generate_sweep_configs.py -v
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```
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Expected: 84 tests, 100% passing
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## Examples
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### Example 1: Split 500 configs into 2 batches
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```bash
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# Get batch count
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$ python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--get-batch-count
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2
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# Get batches
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$ python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--batch-index 0 | jq 'length'
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256
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$ python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files master.yaml \
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--seq-lens 1k1k \
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--batch-index 1 | jq 'length'
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```
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### Example 2: Custom batch size
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```bash
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# Split into batches of 100
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$ python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep \
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--config-files master.yaml \
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--max-batch-size 100 \
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--get-batch-count
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5
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```
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## Performance
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- Batch calculation: O(1) using math.ceil()
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- Batch retrieval: O(n) where n = batch_size
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- Memory efficient: Only requested batch is held in memory
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- No nested iterations or complex computations
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## Backwards Compatibility
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All existing workflows continue to work without modification:
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```bash
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# Old way (still works)
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep --config-files master.yaml
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# New way (opt-in)
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py full-sweep --config-files master.yaml --batch-index 0
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```
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## Troubleshooting
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### "Invalid batch-index X. Valid range is 0 to Y"
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The batch index is out of range. Check valid range with `--get-batch-count`.
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### All configs in batch 0
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Total configs < 256, no batching needed. This is expected behavior.
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### Missing configs
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Verify: `sum(all batch sizes) == total configs`
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```bash
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for i in {0..N}; do
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python3 generate_sweep_configs.py ... --batch-index $i | jq 'length'
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done
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```
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## Future Enhancements
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Potential improvements:
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- Dynamic batch size based on workflow complexity
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- Parallel batch generation
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- Batch-aware result collection utilities
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- Integration with workflow dispatch events
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## Support
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For questions or issues:
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1. Review [BATCHING_GUIDE.md](BATCHING_GUIDE.md) for technical details
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2. Check [PRACTICAL_GUIDE.md](PRACTICAL_GUIDE.md) for real-world examples
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3. See [example-batched-matrix.yml](../../.github/workflows/example-batched-matrix.yml) for working code
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4. Open an issue if problems persist
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## License
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This solution is part of InferenceMAX and follows the repository's Apache 2.0 license.

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