Guide · Open source
How to use openai-cookbook: setup, examples and tips
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The openai-cookbook is an open-source collection of example code and written guides that show how to accomplish common tasks with the OpenAI API. Most examples are Jupyter notebooks written in Python. This guide explains what you need before starting, how to get the code running, and how to read and adapt the examples for your own work.
OpenAI Cookbookopenai/openai-cookbook · ★ 76.9k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Create an OpenAI account. Sign up for a free account at platform.openai.com/signup and create an API key.
- 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command from the README to download openai-cookbook to your computer.
- 3Set OPENAI_API_KEY. Set an environment variable called OPENAI_API_KEY, or create a .env file at the repo root containing that variable.
- 4Open a notebook. Open a Jupyter notebook in Jupyter or Visual Studio Code.
- 5Run the cells in order. Execute each cell from top to bottom so the API calls and outputs match the guide.
- 6Adapt the code. Copy the patterns you need into your own project and change them for your task.
What you need before you start
The examples call the OpenAI API, so you need an OpenAI account and an API key. The README says you can create a free account at platform.openai.com/signup.
You also need a way to run Jupyter notebooks. The README mentions Visual Studio Code as an IDE that works for this.
- An OpenAI account and associated API key
- Jupyter, or an IDE such as Visual Studio Code that can run notebooks
Get the code: clone the repository
Download a local copy of the repository with git. The README gives this command.
git clone https://github.com/openai/openai-cookbook.gitSet your OPENAI_API_KEY
The notebooks read your key from an environment variable called OPENAI_API_KEY. You can set that variable on your system.
Alternatively, in most IDEs such as Visual Studio Code, create a file named .env at the root of your repo containing OPENAI_API_KEY=<your API key>. The README says the notebooks will pick it up from there. Keep this file private and do not commit your key to version control.
OPENAI_API_KEY=<your API key>Run the notebook examples
Open the notebooks in Jupyter or your IDE and run the cells in order. Most examples are written in Python, so Python notebooks are the main entry point.
Read each notebook alongside its code. The examples are working references you can run, change and reuse.
- Start with the examples that match a task you care about
- Change one parameter at a time and rerun to see what changes
- Copy the parts you need into your own project
Use the guides and related resources
The project also publishes its material as a website at cookbook.openai.com, which is easier to browse than the raw repository. The README links to a list of related resources from around the web for further tools, guides and courses.
Adapt the examples for your project
The README notes that the concepts can be applied in any language, even though most code examples are in Python. If you use another language, treat the notebooks as a guide to the API patterns and rewrite the calls in your language.
The material is specific to the OpenAI API. If you need a different model provider, these examples will not cover it directly.
What people use it for
- Learning how to make your first OpenAI API call in Python notebook form
- Reviewing API usage patterns before building your own application
- Adapting a reference example as a starting point for a team project
- Exploring how to build with language models as a self-learner
Frequently asked questions
Is openai-cookbook free to use?
The repository is released under the MIT License, as stated in its README. The examples call the OpenAI API, which requires an account and API key; the README says a free account can be created, but API usage is a separate matter to check on the OpenAI platform.
What do I need to run openai-cookbook?
You need an OpenAI account and API key, and a way to run Jupyter notebooks, such as Jupyter itself or an IDE like Visual Studio Code. Python is needed for most examples.
How do I install openai-cookbook?
Run git clone https://github.com/openai/openai-cookbook.git to download the repository. There is no separate installation step in the README; you then run the notebooks with your key set.
Where do I put my OPENAI_API_KEY?
Set it as an environment variable named OPENAI_API_KEY. In most IDEs such as Visual Studio Code, you can instead create a .env file at the repo root containing OPENAI_API_KEY=<your API key>.
Can I use openai-cookbook without Python?
Most examples are in Python, but the README says the concepts can be applied in any language. You would need to rewrite the calls in your own language.
What are alternatives to openai-cookbook?
Comparable projects include LangChain, LlamaIndex and Semantic Kernel. Those are frameworks for building applications, whereas openai-cookbook is a set of focused example code for the OpenAI API.
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Our verdict
Choose openai-cookbook if you are learning the OpenAI API and want working, readable examples you can run and adapt, especially in Python notebooks. Skip it if you need a finished app, do not have an OpenAI API key, or need a non-OpenAI model provider, in which case a framework such as LangChain or LlamaIndex may suit you better.
Install options & downloads