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Building AI-Driven Features

Large Language Models (LLMs) have revolutionized the way we interact with AI, offering capabilities that we can build out in Xano!

Cameron Booth avatar
Written by Cameron Booth
Updated over 4 months ago

First, if you're not familiar with LLMs, you may want to read this article!

Step 1: Choosing the Right LLM

When integrating LLMs into your project, it’s essential to select a model that suits your needs. Consider:

  • Model Capabilities: Does it support the tasks you need (e.g., summarization, generation, data analysis)?

  • Cost and Performance: Is the pricing aligned with your budget, and does the model meet your performance expectations?

  • API Accessibility: Ensure the LLM provides API access for seamless integration.


Step 2: Connecting an LLM to Xano

To connect an LLM to Xano, follow these steps:

  1. Obtain API Access:

    • Sign up for the chosen LLM provider (e.g., OpenAI, Cohere, or AI21 Labs).

    • Obtain an API key for accessing the model.

  2. Store API Keys Securely:

    • In Xano, store your API keys as environment variables to keep them secure and easy to update.

  3. Create a Custom API Call in Xano:

    • Navigate to your API function stack.

    • Add a new external API request.

    • Configure the request with the LLM provider’s endpoint, including necessary headers (e.g., authorization tokens) and payloads (e.g., input text).

  4. Test the API Connection:

    • Test the setup to ensure the API is correctly returning responses from the LLM.


Step 3: Enhancing LLM Outputs

To get the best results from an LLM, apply these techniques:

  • Prompt Engineering:

    • Craft precise and detailed prompts to guide the AI. For example:

      arduinoCopy code"Summarize the following text into three bullet points: [insert text]"

  • Post-Processing Outputs:

    • Use Xano’s built-in functions to format, clean, or further process the AI’s response to meet application requirements.

    • Consider using the Post-Process


Step 4: Use Cases for LLMs in Xano

Here are some common applications where LLMs can add value to your projects:

  1. Chatbots:

    • Create conversational agents to handle customer queries or assist users within your app.

  2. Content Generation:

    • Automate the creation of marketing materials, reports, or personalized messages.

  3. Text Analysis:

    • Analyze and categorize large datasets, extracting meaningful insights (e.g., sentiment analysis, keyword extraction).


Best Practices for LLM Integration

  • Security First: Always use environment variables to store sensitive credentials.

  • Optimize Performance: Avoid sending large payloads unnecessarily. Preprocess and truncate inputs to save time and costs.

  • Test Extensively: Use unit tests to test on various inputs to ensure consistent and reliable outputs.


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