OpenAI API Course: Python, Models, Errors & Spend Control

This course contains the use of artificial intelligence. Most people use AI through a chat window. This course shows you how to put the same power inside your own code, safely, reliably, and without surprise bills.

Who this course is forBeginners and developers who want to use the OpenAI API in real projectsFreelancers and agency owners who want to build AI features for clientsProduct managers and founders who need to understand what the API can do and costAutomation builders who want to move past no-code limitsStudents building a portfolio project with AIWhat you will learnWhat the OpenAI API is and how it differs from ChatGPTHow to create an account, set budget limits, and protect your API keyHow to make your first authenticated API call in PythonHow to compare models using your own test prompts, not guessworkHow to choose the cheapest model that meets your quality barHow to write instructions and inputs that produce consistent outputHow to control response length and cost with token limitsHow to read responses, usage data, and response IDsHow to handle 401, 400, 429, and 5xx errors with retries and backoffHow to track spend per request and set a daily cost capRequirementsBasic Python is helpful, but all code is provided and explainedA computer with Python installedAn OpenAI platform account (API usage is billed separately; a small budget is enough for the course)Final projectYou will build the Smart Reply Assistant, a command-line tool that classifies a customer message, drafts a reply in structured JSON, logs tokens and cost for every request, retries safely on errors, and stops when a daily spending cap is reached. You also get a rubric to grade your own work.