LangSmith

Observability & testing for complex LLM applications.

apps development LLM

Tool Information

Primary Task	Apps
Category	technology-and-development
Sub Categories	api-and-development-tools machine-learning-models
Open Source	Yes
Pricing	Free + from $0.50
Country	United States
Industry	information technology & services
Technologies	Amazon AWS, Gmail, Google Apps, MailChimp SPF, Webflow, Rippling, Zscaler, Remote, AI, Snowflake
Website Status	🟢 Active

LangSmith is a developer platform for a new type of application. It offers features like observability, testing, evaluation, and monitoring tools for complex LLM (Language Model) apps. The platform provides a flexible and agnostic open-source SDK that allows easy integration and adaptation to different implementations. With LangSmith, developers can add observability and testing to their LLM apps, enabling them to visualize inputs and outputs at each step in the chain. This helps them understand the behavior of LLMs and build intuition for creating more sophisticated applications. The platform also facilitates unit testing for LLM applications, allowing developers to spin up test datasets, run their applications, and inspect results within the LangSmith environment. It supports features like dataset curation, chain performance comparison, AI-assisted evaluation, collaboration, and adherence to best practices. Moreover, LangSmith provides mission-critical observability by offering application-level usage stats, feedback collection, filtered traces, and cost and performance measurement. This helps developers monitor and understand the behavior of their applications in real-time, especially given the stochastic nature of LLMs. LangSmith aims to help developers build and deploy LLM applications with confidence. It not only offers a set of tools but also establishes best practices for developers to rely on. The platform is suitable for open-source contributors, community members, and software engineers working on LLM applications. Access to LangSmith is available through sign-up for the beta version or by filling out a form for early access for open-source contributors and community members.

LangChain is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, focused on developing and deploying large language model (LLM) applications. Founded in 2023 by Harrison Chase and Ankush Gola, LangChain aims to simplify the process for developers to create AI applications from prototype to production.

The company offers a range of products and services to support the entire lifecycle of LLM application development. Key offerings include LangSmith, which aids in getting applications into production faster; LangGraph, a framework for building multi-agent applications; and various development frameworks that enhance context-aware and reasoning capabilities. LangChain also provides API deployment solutions to facilitate the integration of LLMs into applications.

LangChain supports over 100,000 companies and has a vibrant developer community with significant engagement on GitHub. The company's mission is to empower developers to quickly turn ideas into functional applications, positioning itself as a leader in LLM application workflows.

Pros
Observability for LLM apps Testing for LLM apps Open-source SDK Flexible integration Adaptable to different implementations App-level usage stats Real-time behavior monitoring Stochastic nature of LLMs Unit testing facilitation Test datasets creation Chain performance comparison Collaboration facilitation Best practices adherence Cost performance measurement Feedback collection Filter traces features Beta version availability Early access for contributors

Cons
Limited to LLM applications Restricted early access Beta version risks Relies on flexible adaptation No standalone testing environment Stochastic nature uncertainty Requires explicit integration Dataset curation needed Observability depends on adaptation No mention of cross-platform compatibility

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is LangSmith?

LangSmith is a developer platform specifically designed for a new type of application, focusing on language model (LLM) apps. Providing features like observability, testing, evaluation, and monitoring tools, LangSmith enables developers to gain deeper insight into their applications, build more sophisticated applications with confidence, and deploy LLM applications effectively.

2. What are the key features of LangSmith?

Key features of LangSmith include observability, testing tools, evaluation tools, and monitoring tools for complex LLM apps. Features like dataset curation, chain performance comparison, AI-assisted evaluation, collaboration, and adherence to best practices are part of the offer. This platform also provides application-level usage stats, feedback collection, filtered traces, and cost and performance measurement, aiding in the real-time understanding of application behavior.

3. How can LangSmith help with observability and testing of LLM apps?

LangSmith assists with observability and testing of LLM apps by providing developers with tools to add observability and testing to their applications. These tools enable the visualization of inputs and outputs at each step in the application chain, giving insight into the behavior of LLMs. This platform also offers unit testing, allowing developers to create test datasets, run their applications, and inspect the results within the LangSmith environment.

4. What is meant by 'LLMs' in the context of LangSmith?

'LLMs' in the context of LangSmith refers to Language Model applications. These are complex applications that developers build and deploy, and which LangSmith aids in providing infrastructural support to maintain, test, and monitor.

5. How easy is it to integrate LangSmith into current implementations?

Integrating LangSmith into current implementations is reported to be easy. The platform offers a flexible and agnostic open-source SDK that allows for easy integration and adaptation according to various user feedback on their website.

6. How does LangSmith help visualize inputs and outputs of applications?

LangSmith helps visualize inputs and outputs of applications by providing observability tools that allow developers to see inputs and outputs at each step in the chain. This feature enables understanding of LLM behavior and intuition building for creating sophisticated applications.

7. Can LangSmith facilitate unit testing for applications?

Yes, LangSmith can facilitate unit testing for applications. It allows developers to create test datasets, run their applications across them, and evaluate the results without having to leave the LangSmith environment.

8. What benefits does LangSmith offer with its dataset curation feature?

With LangSmith's dataset curation feature, developers can spin up test datasets for their applications. This enables the running of unit tests and inspections of results within the same environment, thereby aiding in efficient testing and evaluation of LLM applications.

9. How does LangSmith support the comparison of chain performance?

LangSmith supports the comparison of chain performance by providing tools that allow developers to compare the performance of different applications or different iterations of the same application. This helps optimize performance and identify areas for improvement.

10. What is the usefulness of AI-assisted evaluation in LangSmith?

The usefulness of AI-assisted evaluation in LangSmith lies in its potential to offer accurate, data-driven analysis of app performance. Leveraging AI, LangSmith can provide developers with in-depth, nuanced evaluations of their LLM applications.

11. How does LangSmith allow for real-time monitoring and understanding of application behavior?

LangSmith provides real-time monitoring and understanding of application behavior through its mission-critical observability feature, offering application-level usage stats, feedback collection, filtered traces, and cost and performance measurement. With only a few lines of code, developers can monitor their applications in real-time.

12. What benefits does LangSmith offer with application-level usage stats and feedback collection?

With LangSmith's application-level usage stats and feedback collection, developers gain insights into their application's usage patterns and user feedback. This allows for data-driven optimization of their applications and an in-depth understanding of how their applications are performing and being received.

13. How can developers obtain access to LangSmith?

Developers can obtain access to LangSmith either by signing up for the beta version or by filling out a form for early access if they are open-source contributors or community members.

14. What is unique about LangSmith's open-source SDK?

LangSmith's open-source SDK is unique in its ability to be flexible and agnostic, facilitating easy integration and adaptation to different implementations. This ensures that users can easily tailor it to their specific needs and requirements.

15. How does LangSmith adapt to different implementations?

LangSmith adapts to different implementations by being equipped with a flexible and agnostic open-source SDK. This enables easy integration and adaptation to diverse languages and platforms, ensuring versatility and customization.

16. Can LangSmith facilitate collaboration among developers?

LangSmith does indeed facilitate collaboration among developers. It offers a platform where developers can user tools expressly designed for collaborative work such as dataset curation and AI-assisted evaluation.

17. What best practices does LangSmith provide for developers?

LangSmith provides best practices for developers by not merely offering tools but also establishing reliable processes that can guarantee consistent, reliable results. By doing so, it empowers developers to follow proven methods for building, testing, and deploying LLM applications.

18. How can LangSmith help improve the performance measurement of applications?

LangSmith enhances performance measurement of applications through its cost and performance measurement feature. This tool gives developers the ability to gain insights into the costs associated with running their applications and its performance metrics.

19. What resources does LangSmith offer for learning more about the platform?

LangSmith offers several resources for learning more about the platform including a user guide and documentation (Docs). Developers are also encouraged to explore the community and blog pages for additional information and insights about the platform.

20. Why would I want to switch to LangSmith from building testing and monitoring tools in-house?

Switching to LangSmith from building testing and monitoring tools in-house offers several advantages such as saving resources, reducing development time, and offering a wider range of services. As noted in a testimonial on their website, making the switch led to 10 times less time spent developing these tools, resulting in a 1000 times better tool.