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openai-cookbook

Free

Examples and guides for using the OpenAI API

Model APIsFreeFree tier
Inputs: text, image, audio, video, code, file, url, apiOutputs: text, image, audio, video, code
Type
Open Source
Founded
2015
Company
OpenAI

About openai-cookbook

The OpenAI Cookbook is a free, open-source collection of examples and guides for using the OpenAI API. It serves as a practical resource for developers looking to integrate OpenAI's models into their applications, covering a wide range of capabilities including text generation, code generation, structured output, image generation and vision, video generation, realtime audio and speech, embeddings, moderation, and more. The cookbook provides code snippets, best practices, and migration guides for various API features such as the Responses API, Agents SDK, function calling, search and retrieval, and fine-tuning. It is hosted on GitHub and is designed to complement the official OpenAI API documentation.

Key Features

Free and open-source collection of examples and guides
Covers text generation, code generation, and structured output
Includes guides for image generation, vision, and video generation
Provides examples for realtime audio, speech, and voice agents
Offers best practices for prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and safety
Includes migration guides for legacy APIs and the Assistants API
Demonstrates integration with external models and tools like MCP and Connectors
Hosted on GitHub with community contributions

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free and open-source, making it accessible to all developers
  • Comprehensive coverage of a wide range of OpenAI API capabilities
  • Includes practical code examples and best practices
  • Regularly updated alongside the OpenAI API documentation
  • Community-driven with contributions from developers
Cons
  • Requires an OpenAI API key and associated usage costs to run examples
  • Examples may become outdated as the API evolves
  • Assumes familiarity with programming and API concepts
  • Not a standalone product; requires integration with the OpenAI API

Best For

Learning how to use the OpenAI API for text and code generationImplementing image and video generation in applicationsBuilding realtime voice agents and audio processing systemsFine-tuning models for specialized tasks like vision or reinforcement learningIntegrating search, retrieval, and function calling into AI workflowsDeveloping multi-agent systems using the Agents SDK

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FAQ

Is the OpenAI Cookbook free to use?
Yes, the cookbook is free and open-source. However, running the examples may require an OpenAI API key, which incurs usage costs based on OpenAI's pricing.
What programming languages are the examples in?
Based on available information, the cookbook primarily uses Python, but examples may also be available in other languages. This should be verified on the GitHub repository.
Do I need an OpenAI API key to use the cookbook?
Yes, most examples assume you have an OpenAI API key. The cookbook provides guidance on setting up authentication.
Can I contribute to the OpenAI Cookbook?
Yes, the cookbook is open-source on GitHub and accepts contributions from the community. Guidelines for contributing are available in the repository.
Does the cookbook cover the latest OpenAI models?
The cookbook appears to be updated alongside the official API documentation, so it likely includes examples for recent models. Specific coverage should be verified on the cookbook's website.
Is the cookbook suitable for beginners?
The cookbook provides examples and guides that can help beginners, but it assumes some familiarity with programming and API concepts. New users may need to start with the official OpenAI quickstart guide.