Getting Started with Claude SDK

A collection of simple examples showing how to use Claude's API in Python. Perfect for beginners who want to build AI applications with Claude!

What is Claude?

Claude is Anthropic's AI assistant that can help with:

• Writing and analysis
• Answering questions
• Code assistance
• Language translation
• And much more!

Requirements

• Python 3.7.1+
• Anthropic API key (Sign up here)

Quick Start

1. Install Claude's SDK and Python-dotenv

   pip install anthropic python-dotenv

2. Set Up Your API Key

   # Create a .env file and add your key
   ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

Example Apps

1. Basic Translation (hello.py)

from anthropic import Anthropic
client = Anthropic(api_key=api_key)

# Simple example of calling Claude
response = client.messages.create(
    model="claude-3-sonnet",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Translate hello to French"}]
)

2. Interactive Chat (chatbot.py)

# Basic chat that remembers conversation history
conversation_history = []
response = client.messages.create(
    model="claude-3-sonnet",
    messages=conversation_history
)

3. Specialized Assistant (ChefBot.py)

# Custom AI assistant with specific personality
client.messages.create(
    model="claude-3-sonnet",
    system="You are ChefBot, an expert culinary assistant...",
    messages=[...]
)

4. Question Generator (curiosity_engine.py)

# Generates engaging questions about any topic
client.messages.create(
    model="claude-3-haiku",
    system="You are an expert on the topic...",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Generate questions..."}]
)

5. Streaming Chat (stream.py)

# Real-time streaming chat with colored output
stream = client.messages.create(
    model="claude-3-haiku",
    messages=conversation_history,
    stream=True
)

for chunk in stream:
    if chunk.type == "content_block_delta":
        print(chunk.delta.text, end="", flush=True)

6. Vision Prompter (vision.py)

# Process and analyze images with Claude
client.messages.create(
    model="claude-3-sonnet",
    messages=[{
        "role": "user",
        "content": [
            {
                "type": "image",
                "source": {
                    "type": "base64",
                    "media_type": "image/jpeg",
                    "data": "base64_encoded_image"
                }
            },
            {
                "type": "text",
                "text": "Describe this image."
            }
        ]
    }]
)

Try It Out!

1. Run the Basic Translator

   python hello.py

2. Chat with Claude

   python chatbot.py

3. Get Cooking Help

   python ChefBot.py

4. Try Real-time Chat

   python stream.py

5. Generate Questions

   python curiosity_engine.py

6. Analyze Images

   python vision.py

Key Concepts

• Messages: The basic unit of conversation with Claude
• System Prompts: Instructions that shape Claude's behavior
• Conversation History: Maintaining context across interactions
• Models: Different versions of Claude (we're using claude-3-sonnet)
• Streaming: Real-time response generation for interactive applications

Learn More

• Claude API Documentation
• Python SDK Reference
• Best Practices