claude-quickstarts vs OpenAI Cookbook
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
Starter projects that show how to build apps with the Claude API, from support agents to browser and desktop a
Open source · MIT
Example code and guides for common tasks with the OpenAI API.
The short answer
Choose claude-quickstarts if you need…
- Developers who want to see working Claude API examples before writing their own app
- Teams evaluating which Claude capabilities fit a use case such as support, data analysis, or browser automation
- Developers already using Slack, Linear, or Sentry who want an example integration to study
- Students learning how AI agents are wired together with tools and sessions
Choose OpenAI Cookbook if you need…
- Developers who are new to the OpenAI API and want working examples
- Python programmers who want to see API usage patterns in notebook form
- Students or self-learners exploring how to build with language models
- Teams looking for reference code to adapt for their own projects
Side-by-side
| claude-quickstarts | OpenAI Cookbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Learning resource | Learning resource |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 19.1k | 76.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Clone and build from source | Clone and build from source |
| Main language | TypeScript | Jupyter Notebook |
| Last code update | 6 days ago | 5 days ago |
What each one is
claude-quickstarts
Claude Quickstarts is a collection of example projects from Anthropic meant to help developers begin building applications on the Claude API. Each project is a starting point you can run, read, and then adapt to your own needs. The collection covers a range of examples, including a customer support agent, a financial data analyst, computer and browser use demos, and several Managed Agents integrations with tools like Slack, Linear, and Sentry.
OpenAI Cookbook
The OpenAI Cookbook is a collection of example code and written guides showing how to accomplish common tasks with the OpenAI API. Most examples are Jupyter notebooks written in Python, though the README notes the ideas can be applied in other languages. It is mainly useful as a set of working references you can read, run, and adapt.
Best for
claude-quickstarts
- Developers who want to see working Claude API examples before writing their own app
- Teams evaluating which Claude capabilities fit a use case such as support, data analysis, or browser automation
- Developers already using Slack, Linear, or Sentry who want an example integration to study
- Students learning how AI agents are wired together with tools and sessions
OpenAI Cookbook
- Developers who are new to the OpenAI API and want working examples
- Python programmers who want to see API usage patterns in notebook form
- Students or self-learners exploring how to build with language models
- Teams looking for reference code to adapt for their own projects
Strengths
claude-quickstarts
- Maintained by Anthropic and published under the MIT license, so the code can be reused and modified
- Covers many different use cases, from chat apps to scheduled agents and browser or desktop control
- Each quickstart is in its own folder, so you can work on one example without setting up the others
OpenAI Cookbook
- Official examples maintained under the OpenAI organization
- Organized as runnable notebooks that show code and explanation together
- Released under the permissive MIT license
Not ideal for
claude-quickstarts
- Non-developers who want a ready-made app without writing or configuring code, since the README assumes API setup
- Anyone needing production-ready code, because several projects say they are reference or teaching examples rather than production code
- Users without a Claude API key, since the README says one is needed to use these quickstarts
OpenAI Cookbook
- People without an OpenAI account or API key, since the examples require one (the README says a free account can be created)
- Non-programmers looking for a ready-made app, because this is a set of code examples rather than a finished product
- Developers who need a non-OpenAI model provider, since the material is specific to the OpenAI API
Trade-offs
claude-quickstarts
- Projects vary a lot in complexity and maturity; some are explicitly minimal examples and not production code
- The README is truncated and does not give full setup steps for each project, so you will need to read each subfolder's instructions
- Several projects depend on specific Claude features, such as Managed Agents or newer toolset versions, which may change over time
OpenAI Cookbook
- Examples depend on an OpenAI account and API key, which may incur usage costs
- Most code is in Python, so other-language users must translate the concepts
- The README is short and does not describe a version schedule or release history
Getting started
claude-quickstarts
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/anthropics/claude-quickstartsOpenAI Cookbook
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/openai/openai-cookbook.gitFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between claude-quickstarts and OpenAI Cookbook?
claude-quickstarts: Starter projects that show how to build apps with the Claude API, from support agents to browser and desktop a. OpenAI Cookbook: Example code and guides for common tasks with the OpenAI API. claude-quickstarts suits developers who want to see working claude api examples before writing their own app, while OpenAI Cookbook suits developers who are new to the openai api and want working examples.
Are claude-quickstarts and OpenAI Cookbook free?
claude-quickstarts: Free and open source. OpenAI Cookbook: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, claude-quickstarts or OpenAI Cookbook?
OpenAI Cookbook is easier to get started with (rated beginner); claude-quickstarts is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is claude-quickstarts or OpenAI Cookbook more popular?
OpenAI Cookbook has more GitHub stars (76.9k) than claude-quickstarts (19.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to claude-quickstarts and OpenAI Cookbook?
Other options people compare them with include LangChain, LlamaIndex, Semantic Kernel.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.