Python + Claude API: Your First AI App in Neovim | Episode 1

Make your first AI API call in Python — coded entirely in Neovim! Install the Anthropic SDK, set up your API key with .env, and write a script that talks to Claude. In this series, we build AI-powered apps from scratch using Python and the Claude API. No machine learning background needed — just Python basics. Every episode produces a working script you can run immediately. Student code: https://github.com/GoCelesteAI/build-ai-apps-python/tree/main/episode01 Every keystroke is shown on screen with 3-second pauses so you can follow along at your own pace. What You'll Learn: • Installing the Anthropic SDK with pip • Storing your API key securely in a .env file • Loading environment variables with python-dotenv • Creating an Anthropic client • Sending a message with client.messages.create() • Understanding model, max_tokens, and messages parameters • Printing the response with message.content[0].text • Changing the question and calling the API again • Running Python scripts with :!python % Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:12 - What is the Claude API? (Preview) 0:44 - Setting up .env with API key 1:04 - Creating first_call.py 1:17 - File header comments 1:45 - Imports: os, dotenv, anthropic 2:25 - load_dotenv() and Anthropic client 2:52 - Writing messages.create() 4:18 - print(message.content[0].text) 4:36 - First run — Claude answers! 5:03 - Changing the question with ci" 5:22 - Second run — different answer 5:42 - Code review 5:55 - Recap: 3 Key Takeaways 6:27 - End Screen Source code: https://github.com/GoCelesteAI/build-ai-apps-python Key Takeaways: 1. The Anthropic SDK connects Python to Claude — pip install, import, create client 2. messages.create() sends a question and returns a response — specify model, max_tokens, and messages 3. .env keeps your API key secure — never hardcode secrets in your code This is Episode 1 of Build AI Apps with Python in Neovim — 32 episodes from API basics to production deployment, covering tool use, RAG, AI agents, and more. Taught by CelesteAI. Like & subscribe for more tutorials! Tags