The AT Protocol SDK: A Comprehensive Guide for Python Developers
Introduction
The AT Protocol SDK is a powerful and comprehensive SDK for Python that enables developers to interact with the ATProto protocol. This SDK provides autogenerated, well-documented, and type-hinted capabilities, making it easier than ever to integrate ATProto functionality into your Python projects. In this guide, we will explore the features and capabilities of the AT Protocol SDK and provide a step-by-step tutorial to help you get started.
Features
The AT Protocol SDK supports a range of features, including:
-
Support for Lexicon Schemes: The SDK provides support for Lexicon Schemes, allowing you to work with lexicons from atproto.com and bsky.app. Additionally, you can use the code generator to create your own lexicon schemes.
-
XRPC clients: The SDK includes support for XRPC clients, enabling you to perform actions by profile and access the full ATProto API.
-
Firehose support: The SDK allows you to stream data using the Firehose feature of ATProto, enabling real-time data processing and analysis.
Requirements
Before getting started with the AT Protocol SDK, make sure you have the following requirements:
- Python 3.7.1 or higher
- Access to Bsky (if you don’t have your own server)
Installing the AT Protocol SDK
To install the AT Protocol SDK, you can use pip:
bash
pip3 install -U atproto
Getting Started
Once you have installed the AT Protocol SDK, you can create an instance of the XRPC Client. There are two major options available: asynchronous and synchronous. If you are not familiar with asynchronous programming, the synchronous version is recommended. Here’s an example of creating a synchronous client:
“`python
from atproto import Client
client = Client()
“`
After creating the client instance, you will need to log in to the network using your handle and password. The password can be app-specific. Here’s an example of logging in to the network:
“`python
from atproto import Client
client = Client()
client.login(‘my-username’, ‘my-password’)
“`
With the client instance created and logged in, you can now start using the high-level methods provided by the SDK. For example, you can send a post using the send_post method:
“`python
from atproto import Client
client = Client()
client.login(‘my-username’, ‘my-password’)
client.send_post(text=’Hello World!’)
“`
The AT Protocol SDK provides a wide range of methods and capabilities. To explore all the available methods and their documentation, you can refer to the List of all methods with documentation. Additionally, the SDK repository contains examples that demonstrate the usage of different methods and capabilities.
Documentation and Getting Help
The documentation for the AT Protocol SDK can be found at atproto.blue. This documentation provides detailed information and examples on how to use the SDK.
If you encounter any issues or have questions while using the AT Protocol SDK, there are several ways to get help:
- Report bugs or request new features by creating an issue.
- Ask questions or discuss topics by starting a discussion.
- Join the Discord server and engage with the community.
Advanced Usage
While the high-level methods provided by the AT Protocol SDK cover most developer needs, there may be scenarios where low-level API access is required. The AT Protocol SDK supports working with the low-level API, allowing developers to perform more complex operations. In the low-level API, you will work with namespaces and models.
Namespaces are classes that group sub-namespaces, queries, and procedures. The AT Protocol SDK provides references to root namespaces such as com and app. You can navigate through namespaces and methods using hints from your IDE. For example:
“`python
from atproto import Client
client = Client()
client.com.atproto.server.create_session(…)
client.app.bsky.feed.get_likes(…)
“`
Models are data classes that represent inputs, outputs, and parameters of methods. They describe the structure and types of data used in the ATProto protocol. The AT Protocol SDK provides well-type hinted models, making it easier to work with them. You can create instances of models using either a dict-based or class-based approach.
For more advanced usage of the AT Protocol SDK and a deeper understanding of namespaces and models, refer to the documentation and explore the examples provided in the SDK repository.
Contributing and Future Changes
Contributions to the AT Protocol SDK are welcome. The contribution guidelines will be presented in the future to streamline the contribution process and ensure a smooth collaboration experience.
The AT Protocol SDK is an actively developed project, and future changes and improvements are planned. One upcoming feature is the provision of autogenerated Record Namespaces, which will provide high-level operations for basic record management (CRUD) and listing records.
Change Log and License
To stay updated with the latest changes in the AT Protocol SDK, refer to the CHANGES.md file in the SDK repository.
The AT Protocol SDK is licensed under the MIT license, ensuring its availability and open-source nature.
Conclusion
The AT Protocol SDK for Python provides an extensive set of features and capabilities for interacting with the ATProto protocol. With its autogenerated code, well-documented APIs, and support for Lexicon Schemes, XRPC clients, and Firehose, the SDK simplifies the integration of ATProto functionality into Python projects. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, the AT Protocol SDK offers a versatile and powerful toolkit for building applications on the ATProto network.
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to refer to the documentation, join the community on Discord, or engage with the project’s GitHub repository. Start exploring the possibilities of the AT Protocol SDK and unlock the potential of the ATProto network in your Python projects.
Happy coding!
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