AI / Core OpenAI Codex Application Fundamentals Interview Questions
What is the OpenAI Assistants API and what is its deprecation timeline?
The Assistants API was OpenAI's original high-level framework for building stateful, multi-turn AI assistants with persistent threads, file handling, and built-in tools. It introduced key concepts like Threads (conversation state), Runs (execution instances), and Vector Stores (document retrieval).
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Assistant | A configured AI model with instructions, tools, and optional files |
| Thread | A persistent conversation history (persisted server-side) |
| Run | An execution of an assistant on a thread - produces a response |
| Message | A single turn added to a Thread |
| Vector Store | A server-side store of embedded documents for file search |
Deprecation timeline: OpenAI formally announced the Assistants API deprecation in 2025. The planned sunset date is mid-2026, once full feature parity is achieved in the Responses API. Key migration points:
- Threads - replaced by
previous_response_idchaining or the Conversations API in Responses - Vector Stores - now a standalone resource, still used with
file_searchtool in Responses API - Code Interpreter - available as a built-in tool in Responses API
- Assistant objects - replaced by the system instructions field in Responses calls
Recommendation: all new projects should use the Responses API with the Agents SDK. Existing Assistants API integrations should plan migration before mid-2026 to avoid disruption.
Invest now in Acorns!!! 🚀
Join Acorns and get your $5 bonus!
Acorns is a micro-investing app that automatically invests your "spare change" from daily purchases into diversified, expert-built portfolios of ETFs. It is designed for beginners, allowing you to start investing with as little as $5. The service automates saving and investing. Disclosure: I may receive a referral bonus.
Invest now!!! Get Free equity stock (US, UK only)!
Use Robinhood app to invest in stocks. It is safe and secure. Use the Referral link to claim your free stock when you sign up!.
The Robinhood app makes it easy to trade stocks, crypto and more.
Webull! Receive free stock by signing up using the link: Webull signup.
More Related questions...
