Introduction
Introduction Open on GitHub
LangChain is a framework for developing applications powered by large language models
(LLMs).
LangChain simplifies every stage of the LLM application lifecycle:
Development: Build your applications using LangChain's open-source components and
third-party integrations. Use LangGraph to build stateful agents with first-class streaming
and human-in-the-loop support.
Productionization: Use LangSmith to inspect, monitor and evaluate your applications, so
that you can continuously optimize and deploy with confidence.
Deployment: Turn your LangGraph applications into production-ready APIs and Assistants
with LangGraph Platform.
LangChain implements a standard interface for large language models and related
technologies, such as embedding models and vector stores, and integrates with hundreds of
providers. See the integrations page for more.
Select chat model: Google Gemini ▾
pip install -qU "langchain[google-genai]"
import getpass
import os
if not os.environ.get("GOOGLE_API_KEY"):
os.environ["GOOGLE_API_KEY"] = getpass.getpass("Enter API key for Google
Gemini: ")
from langchain.chat_models import init_chat_model
model = init_chat_model("gemini-2.5-flash", model_provider="google_genai")
model.invoke("Hello, world!")
NOTE
These docs focus on the Python LangChain library. Head here for docs on the JavaScript
LangChain library.
Architecture
The LangChain framework consists of multiple open-source libraries. Read more in the
Architecture page.
langchain-core : Base abstractions for chat models and other components.
Integration packages (e.g. langchain-openai , langchain-anthropic , etc.): Important
integrations have been split into lightweight packages that are co-maintained by the
LangChain team and the integration developers.
langchain : Chains, agents, and retrieval strategies that make up an application's cognitive
architecture.
langchain-community : Third-party integrations that are community maintained.
langgraph : Orchestration framework for combining LangChain components into
production-ready applications with persistence, streaming, and other key features. See
LangGraph documentation.
Guides
Tutorials
If you're looking to build something specific or are more of a hands-on learner, check out our
tutorials section. This is the best place to get started.
These are the best ones to get started with:
Build a Simple LLM Application
Build a Chatbot
Build an Agent
Introduction to LangGraph
Explore the full list of LangChain tutorials here, and check out other LangGraph tutorials here.
To learn more about LangGraph, check out our first LangChain Academy course, Introduction to
LangGraph, available here.
How-to guides
Here you’ll find short answers to “How do I….?” types of questions. These how-to guides don’t
cover topics in depth – you’ll find that material in the Tutorials and the API Reference. However,
these guides will help you quickly accomplish common tasks using chat models, vector stores,
and other common LangChain components.
Check out LangGraph-specific how-tos here.
Conceptual guide
Introductions to all the key parts of LangChain you’ll need to know! Here you'll find high level
explanations of all LangChain concepts.
For a deeper dive into LangGraph concepts, check out this page.
Integrations
LangChain is part of a rich ecosystem of tools that integrate with our framework and build on
top of it. If you're looking to get up and running quickly with chat models, vector stores, or other
LangChain components from a specific provider, check out our growing list of integrations.
API reference
Head to the reference section for full documentation of all classes and methods in the
LangChain Python packages.
Ecosystem
🦜🛠️ LangSmith
Trace and evaluate your language model applications and intelligent agents to help you move
from prototype to production.
🦜🕸️ LangGraph
Build stateful, multi-actor applications with LLMs. Integrates smoothly with LangChain, but can
be used without it. LangGraph powers production-grade agents, trusted by Linkedin, Uber,
Klarna, GitLab, and many more.
Additional resources
Versions
See what changed in v0.3, learn how to migrate legacy code, read up on our versioning policies,
and more.
Security
Read up on security best practices to make sure you're developing safely with LangChain.
Contributing
Check out the developer's guide for guidelines on contributing and help getting your dev
environment set up.
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