Applications and Integration

The Messages API end to end: requests, multimodal input, streaming, files, batches and SDKs.

1. 2.1The Messages APIThe anatomy of a Messages API request and response, the rules for roles and content blocks, and the fields you must read on every reply.9 min
2. 2.2SDKs, Authentication and Environment SetupInstalling the official SDKs, how credentials are resolved, which headers raw HTTP needs, and the client options that govern retries, timeouts and alternative platforms.8 min
3. 2.3Vision, PDFs and the Files APISending images and PDF documents to Claude as base64, URL or uploaded file references, and when the Files API saves you from re-uploading.9 min
4. 2.4Streaming ResponsesThe server-sent event sequence the Messages API emits, how to consume it with the SDK helpers, and why streaming is mandatory for long outputs.9 min
5. 2.5The Message Batches APISubmitting thousands of Messages requests asynchronously at a discount, polling for completion, and reading results that arrive in any order.8 min
6. 2.6Building Conversational ApplicationsArchitecting a chat product on the Messages API: where conversation state lives, how to proxy requests safely, and how to keep long conversations fast and affordable.9 min