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Installation

The AI SDK is available as npm packages. You can install the core SDK and optional provider packages based on your needs.

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Requirements

Before you begin, ensure you have:
  • Node.js: Version 18 or higher
  • Package manager: npm, pnpm, yarn, or bun

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Install the core SDK

The ai package contains the core SDK functionality including generateText, streamText, and other core APIs: 
npm install ai

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Choose a provider

You have two options for accessing AI models: The Vercel AI Gateway provides access to hundreds of models from different providers with a single API key. The gateway provider is included in the ai package by default.
1

Get an API key

Sign up for a Vercel AI Gateway API key
2

Add to environment

Create a .env.local file in your project root:
touch .env.local
Add your API key:
AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
3

Start using models

You can now access any model using a simple string:
import { generateText } from 'ai';

const { text } = await generateText({
  model: 'openai/gpt-4o',
  prompt: 'What is an agent?',
});

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Option 2: Direct provider packages

Install specific provider packages to connect directly to AI services: 
npm install @ai-sdk/openai
Then configure your provider credentials: 
OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_key_here
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_anthropic_key_here
Use the provider in your code: 
import { generateText } from 'ai';
import { openai } from '@ai-sdk/openai';
import { anthropic } from '@ai-sdk/anthropic';

// OpenAI
const result1 = await generateText({
  model: openai('gpt-4o'),
  prompt: 'What is an agent?',
});

// Anthropic
const result2 = await generateText({
  model: anthropic('claude-sonnet-4-5'),
  prompt: 'What is an agent?',
});

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Framework-specific packages

If you’re building chat or generative UI applications, install the framework integration for your UI library: 
npm install @ai-sdk/react
These packages provide hooks and utilities for building chat interfaces: 
import { useChat } from '@ai-sdk/react';

export default function ChatComponent() {
  const { messages, input, handleInputChange, handleSubmit } = useChat();
  
  // Build your chat UI
}

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Additional packages

Depending on your use case, you may need additional packages:

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Schema validation

For structured outputs and tool definitions, install Zod: 
npm install zod

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Next.js RSC (React Server Components)

For Next.js applications using React Server Components: 
npm install ai @ai-sdk/react

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Verify installation

Create a simple test file to verify your installation: 
import { generateText } from 'ai';
import { openai } from '@ai-sdk/openai';

const result = await generateText({
  model: openai('gpt-4o'),
  prompt: 'Say hello!',
});

console.log(result.text);
Run the file: 
node --loader ts-node/esm test.ts
Make sure you’ve set up your API keys in the .env.local file before running the test.

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TypeScript configuration

The AI SDK is written in TypeScript and provides full type safety. Ensure your tsconfig.json includes: 
{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "target": "ES2020",
    "module": "ESNext",
    "lib": ["ES2020"],
    "moduleResolution": "bundler",
    "strict": true
  }
}

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Next steps

Quickstart

Build your first AI application

Providers

Learn about available AI providers

AI SDK Core

Explore core functions and APIs

AI SDK UI

Build chat and generative interfaces