Using the Python SDK

This is a guide on using the RowBoat Python SDK as an alternative to the RowBoat HTTP API to power conversations with the assistant created in Studio.

Prerequisites

• pip install rowboat
• Deploy your assistant to production
• Obtain your <API_KEY> and <PROJECT_ID>

API Host

• For the open source installation, the <HOST> is http://localhost:3000
• When using the hosted app, the <HOST> is https://app.rowboatlabs.com

Usage

Basic Usage

Initialize a client and use the chat method directly:

from rowboat import Client
from rowboat.schema import UserMessage, SystemMessage

# Initialize the client
client = Client(
    host="<HOST>",
    project_id="<PROJECT_ID>",
    api_key="<API_KEY>"
)

# Create messages
messages = [
    SystemMessage(role='system', content="You are a helpful assistant"),
    UserMessage(role='user', content="Hello, how are you?")
]

# Get response
response_messages, state = client.chat(messages=messages)
print(response_messages[-1].content)

# For subsequent messages, include previous messages and state
messages.extend(response_messages)
messages.append(UserMessage(role='user', content="What's your name?"))
response_messages, state = client.chat(messages=messages, state=state)

Using Tools

The SDK supports function calling through tools:

def weather_lookup(city_name: str) -> str:
    return f"The weather in {city_name} is 22°C."

# Create a tools dictionary
tools = {
    'weather_lookup': weather_lookup
}

# Use tools with the chat method
response_messages, state = client.chat(
    messages=messages,
    tools=tools
)

The last message in response_messages is either a user-facing response or a tool call by the assistant.

Stateful Chat (Convenience Wrapper)

For simpler use cases, the SDK provides a StatefulChat class that maintains conversation state automatically:

from rowboat import StatefulChat

# Initialize stateful chat
chat = StatefulChat(
    client,
    tools=tools,
    system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant."
)

# Simply send messages and get responses
response = chat.run("Hello, how are you?")
print(response)
# I'm good, thanks! How can I help you today?