Usage

Log In

You can log into OpenAI’s API running the dedicated login() function or just ask something with askgpt():

library(askgpt)
login()
#> ℹ It looks like you have not provided an API key yet. Let me guide you through the process:
#>   1. Go to <https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys>
#>   2. (Log into your account if you haven't done so yet)
#>   3. On the site, click the button + Create new secret key
#>   to create an API key
#>   4. Copy this key into R/RStudio

Copy the API key from OpenAI’s website

And paste it into RStudio

You will not need to do this again after the first time. (Technical detail: This will store an encrypted version of your key in the directory returned by rappdirs::user_cache_dir("askgpt").) If your old API key does not work any more, you can store a new one with: login(force_refresh = TRUE).

Usage

To enable error logging (which you need if you want askgpt to explain errors to you) first run:

log_init()

After this, the key phrase “What is wrong with my last command?” (or just “help!”) will make askgpt look up your last command and error message and return some help for you. The other important key phrase is “Can you elaborate on that?” (or just “What?”), which will elaborate on the previous answer. You can ask basically any question you want though:

some examples

Configure

You can configure how askgpt makes that start with askgpt_*. For example, to use a different model to use in askgpt() use options(askgpt_chat_model = "gpt-3.5-turbo-0301") (or options(askgpt_chat_model = "gpt-4") if you have beta access to the newer model). If you use the completions instead of the chat API (chat = FALSE in askgpt()) use options(askgpt_completions_model = "text-curie-001"). It does not matter if the API parameter is listed in the function or not. All are used. See the complete list here and here.

The most important setting, however, is askgpt_config. This can be used to configure the chat using plain English:

options(askgpt_config = "I'm 8 years old, please explain things easily")
askgpt("What is an R function?")
#>
#> ── Answer ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#> An R function is like giving your friend a set of instructions to perform a
#> particular task. In R programming, a function is a set of instructions or steps
#> that is given a name, and when you call that name, the function will perform
#> those instructions. A function can take information or inputs, do something
#> with those inputs (like adding or subtracting), and then give the result back
#> as output.
#>
#> For example, think about giving your friend the instructions to make a peanut
#> butter sandwich. The instructions might be:
#>
#> 1. Take two slices of bread 2. Spread peanut butter on one slice 3. Spread
#> jelly on the other slice 4. Put the two slices together
#>
#> In R, a function might take a number (like 5) and add 1 to it, and then return
#> the result (which would be 6).
#>
#> Functions in R are used to make code easier to use, understand, and reuse. They
#> can also help programmers write complex and efficient programs.