# Introduction
## Overview [#overview]
Acontext provides a REST API for building AI agents with persistent context.
RESTful endpoints with predictable URLs
Full OpenAPI specification available
OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and native formats
Python and TypeScript libraries
## Authentication [#authentication]
All API requests require a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header:
```bash
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
```
Keep your API keys secure and never expose them in client-side code.
## Install SDKs [#install-sdks]
```bash title="Python"
pip install acontext
```
```bash title="TypeScript"
npm install @acontext/acontext
```
## Quick Start [#quick-start]
```python title="Python"
import os
from acontext import AcontextClient
# Initialize client
client = AcontextClient(
api_key=os.getenv("ACONTEXT_API_KEY"),
)
# If you're using self-hosted Acontext:
# client = AcontextClient(
# base_url="http://localhost:8029/api/v1",
# api_key="sk-ac-your-root-api-bearer-token",
# )
# Create a session
session = client.sessions.create()
# Store a message
client.sessions.store_message(
session.id,
blob={'role': 'user', 'content': 'How do I reset my password?'}
)
```
```typescript title="TypeScript"
import { AcontextClient } from '@acontext/acontext';
// Initialize client
const client = new AcontextClient({
apiKey: process.env.ACONTEXT_API_KEY,
});
// If you're using self-hosted Acontext:
// const client = new AcontextClient({
// baseUrl: "http://localhost:8029/api/v1",
// apiKey: "sk-ac-your-root-api-bearer-token",
// });
// Create a session
const session = await client.sessions.create();
// Store a message
await client.sessions.storeMessage(
session.id,
{ role: 'user', content: 'How do I reset my password?' }
);
```
## Core Concepts [#core-concepts]
Sessions represent conversation threads with message history.
Isolated storage groups for organizing files and artifacts within a project.
Capabilities that AI agents can use. Manage and configure tools across your project.
## API Resources [#api-resources]
Handle conversations and messages
Manage storage groups
Configure agent capabilities
## Message Formats [#message-formats]
Acontext supports multiple message formats for compatibility:
* **OpenAI** - Compatible with OpenAI Chat Completion format (default)
* **Anthropic** - Compatible with Anthropic Messages format
* **Gemini** - Compatible with Google Gemini Messages format
Convert between formats when retrieving or storing messages using the `format` parameter.
## Community [#community]
Report issues and contribute
Join our community