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+# go-ai-agent
+
+This repo contains the code for Thorsten Ball's "How to Build an Agent" post
+(see [here](https://ampcode.com/how-to-build-an-agent)).
+
+## Setup
+
+This repo contains everything you need to get a development environment ready
+to go through the tutorial. You'll first need to make sure `nix` and `direnv`
+are installed. An anthropic API key is also required (one can be generated
+[here](https://console.anthropic.com/)).
+
+### Install Nix
+
+Nix is package manager that allows us to "make reproducible, declarative and
+reliable systems" (according to [their site](https://nixos.org/)).
+
+Nix can be installed using [the Determinate Systems
+installer](https://github.com/DeterminateSystems/nix-installer). Run the
+following command:
+
+```bash
+curl -fsSL https://install.determinate.systems/nix | sh -s -- install --determinate
+```
+
+### Install Direnv
+
+[Direnv](https://direnv.net/) is a tool that enables us to quickly load and
+unload an environemnt when we enter and leave a directory.
+
+Direnv is available in homebrew. Run the following command:
+
+```bash
+brew install direnv
+```
+
+Once it's installed you'll have to configure your shell. If you're using ZSH
+run the following:
+
+```bash
+echo 'eval "$(direnv hook bash)"' >> ~/.zshrc
+```
+
+NOTE: You'll have to start a new terminal session for the changes in `~/.zshrc`
+to take effect!
+
+For all other shells, refer [here](https://direnv.net/docs/hook.html).
+
+### Configure Anthropic API Key
+
+First, generate an Anthropic API key from [the
+console](https://console.anthropic.com/). This repo has a `.envrc` (direnv
+configuration file) that will read from a `.env` file (not committed to this
+repo since we'll use it to house secrets). Once you have your API key, run the
+following (make sure to replace the placeholder text with your actual API key):
+
+```bash
+echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=<your generated key>' > .env
+```
+
+### Build the Development Environment
+
+We're now ready to build the development environment. Direnv configuration
+files (`.envrc` files) have to be explicitly trusted before they take effect.
+Run the following to build and automatically enter the development environment:
+
+```bash
+direnv allow
+```
+
+Once that runs, nix will do its thing and set up the environment. This might
+take a bit. Once it's done you can check to see if it worked by running the following:
+
+```bash
+which go
+```
+
+This should spit out a value like
+`/nix/store/fd2s1z3why92qn8w7j6r0xlarikpv27v-go-1.24.2/bin/go`.
+
+## Follow the Tutorial
+
+You can now follow [the tutorial](https://ampcode.com/how-to-build-an-agent).
+This repo also has some branches containing the tutorial code as well if you'd
+prefer to not copy/paste (or preferably type it out) yourself. Branches
+`step1`, `step2`, `step3`, `step4` correspond to the different parts of the
+tutorial. `step1` is the initial setup of the conversation loop and the other
+steps correspond to the three tools you'll implement as part of the tutorial.