---
layout: article
title: AI in Functions
description: Learn how to integrate AI capabilities into your Appwrite Functions using the Vercel AI SDK.
---

Appwrite Functions let you run AI workloads on the server side, keeping API keys secure and giving you full control over how your application interacts with AI providers. Using the [Vercel AI SDK](https://sdk.vercel.ai), you can integrate with providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others through a unified interface.

This guide shows how to build an Appwrite Function that generates text using the Vercel AI SDK with OpenAI.

**Streaming not yet supported**

Appwrite Functions do not currently support streaming responses. Support for streaming is coming soon. For now, use `generateText` to return complete responses.

# Prerequisites

- An Appwrite project
- An [OpenAI API key](https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys)

## 1. Create new function

Head to the [Appwrite Console](https://cloud.appwrite.io/console) then click on **Functions** in the left sidebar and then click on the **Create Function** button.

![Create function screen](/images/docs/functions/template.avif)

1. In the Appwrite Console's sidebar, click **Functions**.
1. Click **Create function**.
1. Under **Connect Git repository**, select your provider.
1. After connecting to GitHub, under **Quick start**, select the **Node.js** starter template.
1. In the **Variables** step, add the `OPENAI_API_KEY`, generate it [here](https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys). For the `APPWRITE_API_KEY`, tick the box to **Generate API key on completion**.
1. Follow the step-by-step wizard and create the function.

## 2. Add dependencies

Once the function is created, navigate to the freshly created repository and clone it to your local machine.

Install the `ai` package and the OpenAI provider:

```bash
npm install ai @ai-sdk/openai
```

The `ai` package is the core Vercel AI SDK, and `@ai-sdk/openai` is the provider that connects it to OpenAI's API.

## 3. Create the function

Replace the contents of `src/main.js` with the following code:

```js
import { generateText } from "ai";
import { openai } from "@ai-sdk/openai";

export default async ({ req, res, log, error }) => {
  if (req.path === "/api/generate") {
    if (req.method !== "POST") {
      return res.status(405).json({ error: "Method not allowed" });
    }

    const { prompt } = req.bodyJson;
    const result = await generateText({
      model: openai("gpt-5-mini"),
      prompt,
    });

    return res.json({ text: result.text });
  }

  return res.status(404).json({ error: "Not found" });
};
```

The function exposes a `POST /api/generate` endpoint. It extracts the prompt from the request body, passes it to OpenAI using `generateText`, and returns the generated text as JSON.

The OpenAI provider reads the `OPENAI_API_KEY` environment variable automatically. Make sure you have set this variable in your function settings in the Appwrite Console.

## 4. Using other providers

The Vercel AI SDK supports many providers beyond OpenAI. You can swap providers by installing the relevant package and changing the model import.

For example, to use Anthropic:

```bash
npm install @ai-sdk/anthropic
```

```js
import { anthropic } from '@ai-sdk/anthropic';

const result = await generateText({
    model: anthropic('claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929'),
    prompt,
});
```

Or to use Google's Gemini:

```bash
npm install @ai-sdk/google
```

```js
import { google } from '@ai-sdk/google';

const result = await generateText({
    model: google('gemini-2.0-flash'),
    prompt,
});
```

Add the corresponding API key as an environment variable in your function settings for each provider.

## 5. Test the function

Now that the function is deployed, test it by sending a `POST` request to the function's URL:

```bash
curl -X POST https://FUNCTION_DOMAIN/api/generate \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"prompt": "Explain quantum computing in one sentence."}'
```

You should receive a JSON response with the generated text:

```json
{
  "text": "Quantum computing uses quantum mechanical phenomena..."
}
```