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This example is available on GitHub: examples/01_standalone_sdk/01_hello_world.py
This is the most basic example showing how to set up and run an OpenHands agent:
examples/01_standalone_sdk/01_hello_world.py
import os

from pydantic import SecretStr

from openhands.sdk import LLM, Conversation
from openhands.tools.preset.default import get_default_agent


# Configure LLM and agent
# You can get an API key from https://app.all-hands.dev/settings/api-keys
api_key = os.getenv("LLM_API_KEY")
assert api_key is not None, "LLM_API_KEY environment variable is not set."
model = os.getenv("LLM_MODEL", "openhands/claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929")
base_url = os.getenv("LLM_BASE_URL")
llm = LLM(
    model=model,
    api_key=SecretStr(api_key),
    base_url=base_url,
    usage_id="agent",
)
agent = get_default_agent(llm=llm, cli_mode=True)

# Start a conversation and send some messages
cwd = os.getcwd()
conversation = Conversation(agent=agent, workspace=cwd)

# Send a message and let the agent run
conversation.send_message("Write 3 facts about the current project into FACTS.txt.")
conversation.run()

# Report cost
cost = llm.metrics.accumulated_cost
print(f"EXAMPLE_COST: {cost}")
Running the Example
export LLM_API_KEY="your-api-key"
cd agent-sdk
uv run python examples/01_standalone_sdk/01_hello_world.py

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LLM Configuration

Configure the language model that will power your agent: 
llm = LLM(
    model=model,
    api_key=SecretStr(api_key),
    base_url=base_url,  # Optional
    service_id="agent"
)

​
Default Agent

Use the preset agent with common built-in tools: 
agent = get_default_agent(llm=llm, cli_mode=True)
The default agent includes BashTool, FileEditorTool, etc. See the tools package source code for the complete list of available tools.

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Conversation

Start a conversation to manage the agent’s lifecycle: 
conversation = Conversation(agent=agent, workspace=cwd)
conversation.send_message("Write 3 facts about the current project into FACTS.txt.")
conversation.run()

​
Expected Behavior

When you run this example:
  1. The agent analyzes the current directory
  2. Gathers information about the project
  3. Creates FACTS.txt with 3 relevant facts
  4. Completes and exits
Example output file: 
FACTS.txt
---------
1. This is a Python project using the OpenHands Software Agent SDK.
2. The project includes examples demonstrating various agent capabilities.
3. The SDK provides tools for file manipulation, bash execution, and more.

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Next Steps