In the previous tutorial, we learned about classes and access modifiers. Now let’s learn about modules — how TypeScript organizes code across multiple files. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to use import and export, type-only imports, declaration files, path aliases, and third-party type packages. What Are Modules? A module is a file that exports values, functions, types, or classes. Other files can import what they need. This keeps your code organized and avoids name conflicts. ...

Time to build something real. In this article, you will create a CLI chatbot that streams responses, keeps conversation history, and supports slash commands. It is a complete, working application in about 150 lines of code. What We Are Building A terminal chatbot with these features: Streaming responses (character by character) Conversation history (multi-turn) Customizable system prompt Slash commands: /clear, /model, /system, /tokens, /export Token usage tracking Graceful error handling Python Implementation Setup pip install anthropic rich Full Code #!/usr/bin/env python3 """CLI chatbot with Claude API — streaming, history, and slash commands.""" import anthropic import json import sys from datetime import datetime from rich.console import Console console = Console() client = anthropic.Anthropic() # Configuration config = { "model": "claude-sonnet-4-6", "system": "You are a helpful assistant. Be concise and direct.", "max_tokens": 4096, } # Conversation state messages: list[dict] = [] total_input_tokens = 0 total_output_tokens = 0 def stream_response(user_input: str) -> str: """Send a message and stream the response.""" global total_input_tokens, total_output_tokens messages.append({"role": "user", "content": user_input}) full_response = "" with client.messages.stream( model=config["model"], max_tokens=config["max_tokens"], system=config["system"], messages=messages, ) as stream: for text in stream.text_stream: console.print(text, end="", style="green") full_response += text # Get final message for token counts final = stream.get_final_message() total_input_tokens += final.usage.input_tokens total_output_tokens += final.usage.output_tokens console.print() # New line after response messages.append({"role": "assistant", "content": full_response}) return full_response def handle_command(command: str) -> bool: """Handle slash commands. Returns True if command was handled.""" parts = command.strip().split(maxsplit=1) cmd = parts[0].lower() arg = parts[1] if len(parts) > 1 else "" if cmd == "/clear": messages.clear() console.print("[yellow]Conversation cleared.[/yellow]") return True elif cmd == "/model": if arg: config["model"] = arg console.print(f"[yellow]Model set to: {arg}[/yellow]") else: console.print(f"[yellow]Current model: {config['model']}[/yellow]") return True elif cmd == "/system": if arg: config["system"] = arg console.print(f"[yellow]System prompt updated.[/yellow]") else: console.print(f"[yellow]Current system prompt: {config['system']}[/yellow]") return True elif cmd == "/tokens": console.print(f"[yellow]Input tokens: {total_input_tokens:,}[/yellow]") console.print(f"[yellow]Output tokens: {total_output_tokens:,}[/yellow]") # Estimate cost (Sonnet 4.6 pricing) cost = (total_input_tokens * 3 + total_output_tokens * 15) / 1_000_000 console.print(f"[yellow]Estimated cost: ${cost:.4f}[/yellow]") return True elif cmd == "/export": filename = arg or f"chat_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S')}.json" with open(filename, "w") as f: json.dump( { "model": config["model"], "system": config["system"], "messages": messages, "tokens": { "input": total_input_tokens, "output": total_output_tokens, }, }, f, indent=2, ) console.print(f"[yellow]Conversation exported to {filename}[/yellow]") return True elif cmd == "/help": console.print("[yellow]Commands:[/yellow]") console.print(" /clear — Clear conversation history") console.print(" /model [name] — View or change model") console.print(" /system [prompt] — View or change system prompt") console.print(" /tokens — Show token usage and cost") console.print(" /export [file] — Export conversation to JSON") console.print(" /help — Show this help") console.print(" /quit — Exit") return True elif cmd in ("/quit", "/exit", "/q"): console.print("[yellow]Goodbye![/yellow]") sys.exit(0) return False def main(): """Main chat loop.""" console.print("[bold blue]Claude CLI Chatbot[/bold blue]") console.print(f"Model: {config['model']} | Type /help for commands\n") while True: try: user_input = console.input("[bold cyan]You:[/bold cyan] ").strip() if not user_input: continue if user_input.startswith("/"): if handle_command(user_input): continue console.print("[bold green]Claude:[/bold green] ", end="") stream_response(user_input) console.print() except KeyboardInterrupt: console.print("\n[yellow]Use /quit to exit.[/yellow]") except anthropic.APIError as e: console.print(f"\n[red]API Error: {e.message}[/red]") except anthropic.RateLimitError: console.print("\n[red]Rate limit hit. Wait a moment and try again.[/red]") if __name__ == "__main__": main() TypeScript Implementation Setup npm init -y npm install @anthropic-ai/sdk @clack/prompts Full Code // chatbot.ts import Anthropic from "@anthropic-ai/sdk"; import * as p from "@clack/prompts"; import { writeFileSync } from "fs"; const client = new Anthropic(); // Configuration const config = { model: "claude-sonnet-4-6", system: "You are a helpful assistant. Be concise and direct.", maxTokens: 4096, }; // Conversation state const messages: Anthropic.MessageParam[] = []; let totalInputTokens = 0; let totalOutputTokens = 0; async function streamResponse(userInput: string): Promise<string> { messages.push({ role: "user", content: userInput }); let fullResponse = ""; const stream = await client.messages.stream({ model: config.model, max_tokens: config.maxTokens, system: config.system, messages, }); for await (const event of stream) { if ( event.type === "content_block_delta" && event.delta.type === "text_delta" ) { process.stdout.write(event.delta.text); fullResponse += event.delta.text; } } const finalMessage = await stream.finalMessage(); totalInputTokens += finalMessage.usage.input_tokens; totalOutputTokens += finalMessage.usage.output_tokens; console.log(); // New line after response messages.push({ role: "assistant", content: fullResponse }); return fullResponse; } function handleCommand(command: string): boolean { const [cmd, ...args] = command.trim().split(" "); const arg = args.join(" "); switch (cmd.toLowerCase()) { case "/clear": messages.length = 0; console.log("\x1b[33mConversation cleared.\x1b[0m"); return true; case "/model": if (arg) { config.model = arg; console.log(`\x1b[33mModel set to: ${arg}\x1b[0m`); } else { console.log(`\x1b[33mCurrent model: ${config.model}\x1b[0m`); } return true; case "/system": if (arg) { config.system = arg; console.log("\x1b[33mSystem prompt updated.\x1b[0m"); } else { console.log(`\x1b[33mCurrent system prompt: ${config.system}\x1b[0m`); } return true; case "/tokens": { console.log(`\x1b[33mInput tokens: ${totalInputTokens.toLocaleString()}\x1b[0m`); console.log(`\x1b[33mOutput tokens: ${totalOutputTokens.toLocaleString()}\x1b[0m`); const cost = (totalInputTokens * 3 + totalOutputTokens * 15) / 1_000_000; console.log(`\x1b[33mEstimated cost: $${cost.toFixed(4)}\x1b[0m`); return true; } case "/export": { const filename = arg || `chat_${new Date().toISOString().replace(/[:.]/g, "-")}.json`; writeFileSync( filename, JSON.stringify( { model: config.model, system: config.system, messages, tokens: { input: totalInputTokens, output: totalOutputTokens }, }, null, 2 ) ); console.log(`\x1b[33mConversation exported to ${filename}\x1b[0m`); return true; } case "/help": console.log("\x1b[33mCommands:\x1b[0m"); console.log(" /clear — Clear conversation history"); console.log(" /model [name] — View or change model"); console.log(" /system [prompt] — View or change system prompt"); console.log(" /tokens — Show token usage and cost"); console.log(" /export [file] — Export conversation to JSON"); console.log(" /help — Show this help"); console.log(" /quit — Exit"); return true; case "/quit": case "/exit": case "/q": console.log("\x1b[33mGoodbye!\x1b[0m"); process.exit(0); default: return false; } } async function main(): Promise<void> { p.intro("Claude CLI Chatbot"); console.log(`Model: ${config.model} | Type /help for commands\n`); while (true) { const userInput = await p.text({ message: "You:", placeholder: "Type your message...", }); if (p.isCancel(userInput)) { console.log("\x1b[33mUse /quit to exit.\x1b[0m"); continue; } const input = (userInput as string).trim(); if (!input) continue; if (input.startsWith("/")) { if (handleCommand(input)) continue; } try { process.stdout.write("\x1b[32mClaude:\x1b[0m "); await streamResponse(input); console.log(); } catch (error) { if (error instanceof Anthropic.APIError) { console.error(`\x1b[31mAPI Error: ${error.message}\x1b[0m`); } else { console.error(`\x1b[31mError: ${error}\x1b[0m`); } } } } main(); How It Works Conversation History The messages array stores the entire conversation. Each user message and each assistant response is added to the array. On every new request, Claude sees the full history. ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned about generics. Now let’s learn about classes in TypeScript — how they work, what access modifiers do, and when you should use them. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to use public, private, protected, readonly, abstract classes, parameter properties, and how to implement interfaces with classes. Basic Classes A class defines a blueprint for objects. TypeScript adds type annotations to JavaScript classes: ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned about type narrowing and type guards. Now let’s learn about generics — one of the most powerful features in TypeScript. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to write generic functions, interfaces, and constraints. You will also learn common patterns like keyof, default type parameters, and generic utility functions. Why Generics? Imagine you need a function that returns the first element of any array: ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned about enums and const assertions. Now let’s learn about type narrowing — one of the most important concepts in TypeScript. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to use typeof, instanceof, custom type guards, discriminated unions with switch, and exhaustive checking with never. What is Type Narrowing? Type narrowing means making a type more specific within a block of code. When you have a union type like string | number, TypeScript can figure out the exact type based on your checks. ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned about union types and literal types. Now let’s learn about enums and const assertions — two ways to define a fixed set of values in TypeScript. By the end of this tutorial, you will know when to use enums, when to use as const, and how the satisfies operator works. What is an Enum? An enum (enumeration) is a way to define a group of named constants. TypeScript has three kinds: numeric enums, string enums, and const enums. ...

Claude is one of the best AI models for code generation. Sonnet 4.6 is the first Sonnet model to beat the previous Opus in coding benchmarks. But good code generation depends on how you ask. This article covers 10 best practices that will get you better code from Claude every time. This is Article 19 in the Claude AI — From Zero to Power User series. You should know Prompt Engineering Basics and Tool Use before this article. ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned about objects and interfaces. Now let’s learn about union types, literal types, and type aliases — patterns that make TypeScript truly powerful. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to use union types, literal types, discriminated unions, intersection types, and type aliases. Union Types A union type means “this value can be one of several types.” Use the | (pipe) symbol: let id: string | number; id = "abc-123"; // OK — string id = 42; // OK — number id = true; // Error: Type 'boolean' is not assignable to type 'string | number' Union types are everywhere in real code. A function that accepts multiple types: ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned how to type functions. Now let’s learn how to describe the shape of objects — one of the most important skills in TypeScript. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to define object types, use interfaces, extend them, and choose between interfaces and type aliases. Object Types You can describe an object’s shape by listing its properties and types: let user: { name: string; age: number } = { name: "Alex", age: 25, }; TypeScript checks that the object matches the shape: ...

In the previous tutorial, we learned the basic types in TypeScript. Now let’s learn how to use types with functions — the building blocks of every program. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to type every kind of function in TypeScript. Function Parameter Types In TypeScript, you must add types to function parameters. TypeScript cannot infer parameter types: // JavaScript — no types function greet(name) { return "Hello, " + name; } // TypeScript — types required function greet(name: string) { return "Hello, " + name; } If you forget to add a type, TypeScript gives an error with strict: true: ...