Get Started with Python (alpha)

The Genkit libraries for Python are now available for preview! Because the Python libraries are currently in Alpha, you might see API and functional changes as development progresses. We recommend using it only for prototyping and exploration.

If you discover issues with the libraries or this documentation please report them in our GitHub repository.

This guide shows you how to get started with Genkit in a Python app.

Requirements

Python 3.10 or later. See Download and install in the official Python docs.
Node.js 20 or later (for the Genkit CLI and UI). See the below for a brief guide on installing Node.

Create and explore a sample project

Create a new project directory:
Terminal window
```
mkdir genkit-intro && cd genkit-intro
```
(recommended) Create a Python virtual environment:
Terminal window
```
python3 -m venv .
```
(activate if necessary, depending on the environment)
Terminal window
```
source bin/activate  # for bash
```

Install dependencies

pip3 install genkit
pip3 install genkit-plugin-google-genai

Or create a requirements.txt file

genkit
genkit-plugin-google-genai

and run:

pip3 install -r requirements.txt

Configure your model API key

The simplest way to get started is with Google AI Gemini API. Make sure it’s available in your region.

Generate an API key for the Gemini API using Google AI Studio. Then, set the GEMINI_API_KEY environment variable to your key:
Terminal window
```
export GEMINI_API_KEY=<your API key>
```

Create main.py file:

import json
from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
from genkit.ai import Genkit
from genkit.plugins.google_genai import GoogleAI

ai = Genkit(
    plugins=[GoogleAI()],
    model='googleai/gemini-2.0-flash',
)

class RpgCharacter(BaseModel):
    name: str = Field(description='name of the character')
    back_story: str = Field(description='back story')
    abilities: list[str] = Field(description='list of abilities (3-4)')

@ai.flow()
async def generate_character(name: str):
    result = await ai.generate(
        prompt=f'generate an RPG character named {name}',
        output_schema=RpgCharacter,
    )
    return result.output

async def main() -> None:
    print(json.dumps(await generate_character('Goblorb'), indent=2))

ai.run_main(main())

Run your app. Genkit apps are just regular Python applications. Run them however you normally run your app.
Terminal window
```
python3 main.py
```
Inspect your app with the Genkit Dev UI

See instructions for installing the Genkit CLI (which includes the Dev UI) below.

To inspect your app with Genkit Dev UI run with genkit start -- <app> command. E.g.:
Terminal window
```
genkit start -- python3 main.py
```
The command will print the Dev UI URL. E.g.:
```
Genkit Developer UI: http://localhost:4000
```

Install Genkit CLI

If you don’t already have Node 20 or newer on your system, install it now.

Recommendation: The nvm and nvm-windows tools are a convenient way to install specific versions of Node if it’s not already installed on your system. These tools install Node on a per-user basis, so you don’t need to make system-wide changes.

To install nvm:
- Linux, macOS, etc.
- Windows
Run the following command:
Terminal window
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash
Download and run the installer as described in the nvm-windows docs.
Then, to install Node and npm, open a new shell and run the following command:
Terminal window
nvm install 20
Install the Genkit CLI by running the following command:
Terminal window
```
npm install -g genkit-cli
```
This command installs the Genkit CLI into your Node installation directory so that it can be used outside of a Node project.