Talking to a LangChain ReAct Voice Agent

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a ReAct-based voice agent using OpenAI's new Realtime API. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a functional voice agent that can interact using natural language, enhancing user experience in various applications.

Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

Before building the voice agent, you need to set up your development environment.

• Install Node.js if you haven't already. This will allow you to run JavaScript code on your machine.
• Clone the repository using the following command:

  git clone https://github.com/langchain-ai/react-voice-agent.git
  

• Navigate into the project directory:

  cd react-voice-agent
  

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Once you have the repository, install the necessary packages to run the voice agent.

• Use npm (Node Package Manager) to install the required dependencies:

  npm install
  

Step 3: Configure API Keys

To communicate with OpenAI's Realtime API, you need to set up your API keys.

• Create an account on OpenAI's website if you don't have one.
• Once logged in, generate your API key.
• In your project directory, create a .env file and add your API key as follows:

  OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_api_key_here
  

Step 4: Implement the Voice Agent

Now that your environment is set up and configured, it's time to implement the voice agent.

• Open the main JavaScript file, typically named index.js or app.js.
• Use the following sample code as a starting point for your voice agent:

  const { OpenAI } = require('openai');
  
  const openai = new OpenAI({
      apiKey: process.env.OPENAI_API_KEY,
  });
  
  async function getVoiceResponse(input) {
      const response = await openai.chat.completions.create({
          model: "gpt-3.5-turbo",
          messages: [{ role: "user", content: input }],
      });
      return response.choices[0].message.content;
  }
  

• Customize the code to handle voice input and output using Web Speech API or similar libraries.

Step 5: Test the Voice Agent

After implementing the voice agent, it's crucial to test its functionality.

• Run your application using:

  npm start
  

• Interact with the voice agent by speaking commands and observe its responses. Ensure that the voice recognition and response generation work seamlessly.

Step 6: Troubleshoot Common Issues

If you encounter any problems, here are some common issues and their solutions:

• Sound not working: Ensure your microphone permissions are enabled in your browser settings.
• API key errors: Double-check that your API key is correctly entered in the .env file and that you have access to the OpenAI API.
• Slow responses: Check your internet connection; a stable connection is required for real-time communication.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you've learned how to set up a ReAct-based voice agent using OpenAI's Realtime API. By following these steps, you can create an interactive voice interface that can be integrated into various applications. Next, consider exploring additional features or enhancements, such as improving voice recognition accuracy or adding support for more languages. Happy coding!