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Type: Package
Title: Unified Interface for Large Language Model Interactions
Version: 1.0.0
Description: Provides a unified interface for interacting with Large Language Models (LLMs) through various providers including OpenAI https://platform.openai.com/docs/api-reference, Ollama https://ollama.com/, and other OpenAI-compatible APIs. Features include automatic connection testing, max_tokens limit auto-adjustment, structured JSON responses with schema validation, interactive JSON schema generation, prompt templating, and comprehensive diagnostics.
License: GPL (≥ 3)
URL: https://github.com/Zaoqu-Liu/llmhelper
BugReports: https://github.com/Zaoqu-Liu/llmhelper/issues
Encoding: UTF-8
RoxygenNote: 7.3.3
Depends: R (≥ 4.1.0)
Imports: cli, dplyr, glue, httr, httr2, jsonlite, purrr, stringr, tibble, tidyprompt
Suggests: testthat (≥ 3.0.0)
Config/testthat/edition: 3
NeedsCompilation: no
Packaged: 2026-01-27 09:50:30 UTC; liuzaoqu
Author: Zaoqu Liu ORCID iD [aut, cre]
Maintainer: Zaoqu Liu <liuzaoqu@163.com>
Repository: CRAN
Date/Publication: 2026-01-31 18:50:07 UTC

llmhelper: Unified Interface for Large Language Model Interactions

Description

Provides a unified interface for interacting with Large Language Models (LLMs) through various providers including OpenAI https://platform.openai.com/docs/api-reference, Ollama https://ollama.com/, and other OpenAI-compatible APIs. Features include automatic connection testing, max_tokens limit auto-adjustment, structured JSON responses with schema validation, interactive JSON schema generation, prompt templating, and comprehensive diagnostics.

The llmhelper package provides a unified and user-friendly interface for interacting with Large Language Models (LLMs) through various providers including OpenAI, Ollama, and other OpenAI-compatible APIs.

Main Functions

llm_provider

Create an OpenAI-compatible LLM provider

llm_ollama

Create an Ollama LLM provider

get_llm_response

Get text or JSON responses from LLM

build_prompt

Build prompts from templates

set_prompt

Create prompt objects

generate_json_schema

Interactively generate JSON schemas

diagnose_llm_connection

Debug connection issues

Ollama Functions

ollama_list_models

List available Ollama models

ollama_download_model

Download Ollama models

ollama_delete_model

Delete Ollama models

Environment Variables

The package uses the following environment variables:

LLM_API_KEY

Default API key for LLM providers

OPENAI_API_KEY

OpenAI API key

DEEPSEEK_API_KEY

DeepSeek API key

Author(s)

Maintainer: Zaoqu Liu liuzaoqu@163.com (ORCID)

Zaoqu Liu liuzaoqu@163.com

See Also

Useful links:

Useful links:

Pipe operator

Description

See magrittr::%>% for details.

Usage

lhs %>% rhs

Arguments

lhs

A value or the magrittr placeholder.

rhs

A function call using the magrittr semantics.

Value

The result of calling rhs(lhs).

Build a templated prompt for LLM interaction using glue

Description

This function constructs a structured prompt string by injecting user-supplied parameters into a predefined template. It leverages the glue package to replace named placeholders in the template with actual values, enabling dynamic prompt creation for LLM workflows.

Usage

build_prompt(template, ...)

Arguments

template

A character string containing the prompt template. Placeholders should be wrapped in {} and correspond to names provided in ....

...

Named arguments matching placeholders in template. Each name–value pair will be substituted into the template at runtime.

Details

The build_prompt() function uses glue::glue_data() internally. Placeholders in template (e.g., {filename}, {threshold}) are resolved by passing a named list of parameters via .... You can include any number of placeholders in the template, as long as the corresponding argument is supplied when calling this function.

Value

A single character string with all {placeholder} fields in template replaced by the corresponding values from ....

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Examples

## Not run: 
# Define a template with placeholders
prompt_template <- "
Perform the following analysis on dataset at '{filepath}':
1. Load data from '{filepath}'
2. Normalize using method '{norm_method}'
3. Save results to '{output_dir}'

IMPORTANT: Use package::function notation for all function calls."

# Build the prompt by supplying named arguments
filled_prompt <- build_prompt(
  template     = prompt_template,
  filepath     = "/path/to/data.csv",
  norm_method  = "quantile",
  output_dir   = "/path/to/output/"
)
cat(filled_prompt)

## End(Not run)

Internal helper to create provider

Description

Internal helper to create provider

Usage

create_provider_internal(
  base_url,
  api_key,
  model,
  temperature,
  stream,
  timeout,
  max_tokens,
  verbose,
  ...
)

Comprehensive LLM connection diagnostics

Description

This function provides detailed diagnostics for LLM connection issues, helping identify problems at different levels of the stack.

Usage

diagnose_llm_connection(base_url, api_key, model, test_tidyprompt = TRUE)

Arguments

base_url

The API base URL

api_key

The API key

model

The model name

test_tidyprompt

Whether to test tidyprompt compatibility

Value

A list (invisible) containing test results with elements:

Extract only the schema part from generated result

Description

Extract only the schema part from generated result

Usage

extract_schema_only(schema_result)

Arguments

schema_result

Result from generate_json_schema

Value

Just the schema portion for use with tidyprompt

Interactive JSON Schema Generator using tidyprompt

Description

This function creates an interactive system to generate JSON schemas based on user descriptions. It supports multi-turn conversations until the user is satisfied with the generated schema.

Usage

generate_json_schema(
  description,
  llm_client,
  max_iterations = 5,
  interactive = TRUE,
  verbose = TRUE
)

Arguments

description

Initial description of the desired JSON structure

llm_client

The LLM provider object (from llm_openai or llm_ollama)

max_iterations

Maximum number of refinement iterations (default: 5)

interactive

Whether to run in interactive mode (default: TRUE)

verbose

Whether to show detailed conversation logs (default: TRUE)

Value

A list containing the final JSON schema and conversation history

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Get LLM Response with Text or JSON Output

Description

This function sends a prompt to a Language Learning Model (LLM) and returns either a text response or a JSON-structured response based on the provided parameters. It handles retries, validation, and response formatting automatically.

Usage

get_llm_response(
  prompt,
  llm_client,
  max_retries = 5,
  max_words = NULL,
  max_characters = NULL,
  json_schema = NULL,
  schema_strict = FALSE,
  schema_type = "auto",
  verbose = NULL,
  stream = NULL,
  clean_chat_history = TRUE,
  return_mode = c("only_response", "full")
)

Arguments

prompt

A character string or tidyprompt object containing the prompt to send to the LLM. This is the main input that the LLM will respond to.

llm_client

An LLM provider object created by functions like llm_openai() or llm_ollama(). This object contains the configuration for connecting to and communicating with the specific LLM service.

max_retries

Integer. Maximum number of retry attempts if the LLM fails to provide a valid response (default: 5). The function will retry if:

  • The response doesn't meet validation criteria

  • JSON parsing fails (when using json_schema)

  • Network or API errors occur If max_retries is exceeded, NULL is returned.

max_words

Integer or NULL. Maximum number of words allowed in the response (default: NULL, no limit). Only applies when json_schema is NULL (text responses). If specified, responses exceeding this limit will trigger a retry. Example: max_words = 50 limits response to 50 words or fewer.

max_characters

Integer or NULL. Maximum number of characters allowed in the response (default: NULL, no limit). Only applies when json_schema is NULL (text responses). If specified, responses exceeding this limit will trigger a retry. Example: max_characters = 280 limits response to Twitter-like length.

json_schema

List or NULL. JSON schema specification for structured responses (default: NULL for text responses). When provided, the LLM will be forced to return a valid JSON object matching the schema. The schema should be a list representing a JSON schema structure with:

  • name: Schema identifier

  • description: Schema description

  • schema: The actual JSON schema with type, properties, required fields, etc. Example: list(name = "person", schema = list(type = "object", properties = ...))

schema_strict

Logical. Whether to enforce strict schema validation (default: FALSE). When TRUE:

  • JSON responses must exactly match the schema

  • No additional properties are allowed beyond those specified

  • All required fields must be present Only applicable when json_schema is provided.

schema_type

Character. Method for enforcing JSON response format (default: 'auto'). Options:

  • 'auto': Automatically detect best method based on LLM provider

  • 'text-based': Add JSON instructions to prompt (works with any provider)

  • 'openai': Use OpenAI's native JSON mode (requires compatible OpenAI API)

  • 'ollama': Use Ollama's native JSON mode (requires compatible Ollama model)

  • 'openai_oo': OpenAI mode without schema enforcement in API

  • 'ollama_oo': Ollama mode without schema enforcement in API

verbose

Logical or NULL. Whether to print detailed interaction logs to console (default: NULL, uses LLM client's setting). When TRUE:

  • Shows the prompt being sent

  • Displays the LLM's response

  • Reports retry attempts and validation failures Useful for debugging and monitoring LLM interactions.

stream

Logical or NULL. Whether to stream the response in real-time (default: NULL, uses LLM client's setting). When TRUE:

  • Response appears progressively as the LLM generates it

  • Provides faster perceived response time

  • Only works if the LLM provider supports streaming Note: Streaming is automatically disabled when verbose = FALSE.

clean_chat_history

Logical. Whether to clean chat history between retries (default: TRUE). When TRUE:

  • Keeps only essential messages in context (first/last user message, last assistant message, system messages)

  • Reduces context window usage on retries

  • May improve performance with repeatedly failing responses When FALSE, full conversation history is maintained.

return_mode

Character. What information to return (default: "only_response"). Options:

  • "only_response": Returns only the processed LLM response (character string or parsed JSON)

  • "full": Returns a comprehensive list containing:

    • response: The processed LLM response

    • interactions: Number of interactions with the LLM

    • chat_history: Complete conversation history

    • chat_history_clean: Cleaned conversation history

    • start_time: When the function started

    • end_time: When the function completed

    • duration_seconds: Total execution time

    • http_list: Raw HTTP responses from the API

Details

This function serves as a unified interface for getting responses from LLMs with automatic handling of different response formats and validation. It internally uses the tidyprompt package's answer_as_text() or answer_as_json() functions depending on whether a JSON schema is provided.

Text Mode (json_schema = NULL):

JSON Mode (json_schema provided):

Error Handling: The function automatically retries on various failure conditions including validation errors, JSON parsing errors, and network issues.

Value

Depends on return_mode parameter:

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Examples

## Not run: 
# Basic text response
client <- llm_ollama()
response <- get_llm_response("What is R?", client)

# Text response with word limit
short_response <- get_llm_response(
  "Explain machine learning",
  client,
  max_words = 50
)

# JSON response with schema
schema <- list(
  name = "person_info",
  schema = list(
    type = "object",
    properties = list(
      name = list(type = "string"),
      age = list(type = "integer")
    ),
    required = c("name", "age")
  )
)

json_response <- get_llm_response(
  "Create a person with name and age",
  client,
  json_schema = schema
)

# Full response with metadata
full_result <- get_llm_response(
  "Hello",
  client,
  return_mode = "full",
  verbose = TRUE
)

## End(Not run)

Get user feedback interactively

Description

Get user feedback interactively

Usage

get_user_feedback(state, verbose)

Arguments

state

Current conversation state

verbose

Show logs

Value

Updated conversation state

Null coalescing operator

Description

Returns the left-hand side if it is not NULL, otherwise returns the right-hand side. This is useful for providing default values.

Usage

x %||% y

Arguments

x

A value to check for NULL.

y

A default value to return if x is NULL.

Value

x if not NULL, otherwise y.

Examples

NULL %||% "default"
"value" %||% "default"

Create Ollama LLM provider with enhanced availability check and auto-download

Description

This function creates an Ollama LLM provider with better error handling and follows tidyprompt best practices.

Usage

llm_ollama(
  base_url = "http://localhost:11434/api/chat",
  model = "qwen2.5:1.5b-instruct",
  temperature = 0.2,
  max_tokens = 5000,
  timeout = 100,
  stream = TRUE,
  verbose = TRUE,
  skip_test = FALSE,
  auto_download = TRUE,
  ...
)

Arguments

base_url

The base URL for the Ollama API

model

The model name to use

temperature

The temperature parameter for response randomness

max_tokens

Maximum number of tokens in response

timeout

Request timeout in seconds

stream

Whether to use streaming responses

verbose

Whether to show verbose output

skip_test

Whether to skip the availability test

auto_download

Whether to automatically download missing models

...

Additional parameters to pass to the model

Value

A configured LLM provider object

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Create OpenAI-compatible LLM provider with enhanced error handling

Description

This function creates an OpenAI-compatible LLM provider with comprehensive error handling and testing capabilities. It automatically handles max_tokens limits by falling back to the model's maximum when exceeded.

Usage

llm_provider(
  base_url = "https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions",
  api_key = NULL,
  model = "gpt-4o-mini",
  temperature = 0.2,
  max_tokens = 5000,
  timeout = 100,
  stream = FALSE,
  verbose = TRUE,
  skip_test = FALSE,
  test_mode = c("full", "http_only", "skip"),
  ...
)

Arguments

base_url

The base URL for the OpenAI-compatible API

api_key

The API key for authentication. If NULL, will use LLM_API_KEY env var

model

The model name to use

temperature

The temperature parameter for response randomness

max_tokens

Maximum number of tokens in response (will auto-adjust if exceeds model limit)

timeout

Request timeout in seconds

stream

Whether to use streaming responses

verbose

Whether to show verbose output

skip_test

Whether to skip the availability test (useful for problematic providers)

test_mode

The testing mode: "full", "http_only", "skip"

...

Additional parameters to pass to the model

Value

A configured LLM provider object

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Delete a model from Ollama API

Description

This function sends a DELETE request to remove a specified model from the Ollama API and returns the updated model list.

Usage

ollama_delete_model(.model, .ollama_server = "http://localhost:11434")

Arguments

.model

The name of the model to delete

.ollama_server

The URL of the Ollama server (default: "http://localhost:11434")

Value

Updated tibble of available models after deletion

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Download a model from Ollama API

Description

This function sends a request to download a specified model from Ollama's model library with progress tracking.

Usage

ollama_download_model(.model, .ollama_server = "http://localhost:11434")

Arguments

.model

The name of the model to download

.ollama_server

The URL of the Ollama server (default: "http://localhost:11434")

Value

No return value, called for side effects (downloads the model to the Ollama server with progress displayed in the console).

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

List available models from Ollama API

Description

This function retrieves information about available models from the Ollama API and returns it as a tibble with simplified data extraction.

Usage

ollama_list_models(.ollama_server = "http://localhost:11434")

Arguments

.ollama_server

The URL of the Ollama server (default: "http://localhost:11434")

Value

A tibble containing model information, or NULL if no models are found

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Parse max_tokens from error message

Description

Parse max_tokens from error message

Usage

parse_max_tokens_from_error(error_message)

Set system and user prompts for LLM interaction

Description

This function creates a prompt object with system and user prompts using the tidyprompt package for structured LLM communication.

Usage

set_prompt(
  system = "You are an AI assistant specialized in bioinformatics.",
  user = "Hi"
)

Arguments

system

The system prompt to set context and behavior (default: bioinformatics assistant)

user

The user prompt or question

Value

A prompt object configured with system and user prompts

Author(s)

Zaoqu Liu; Email: liuzaoqu@163.com

Test full compatibility with tidyprompt and max_tokens fallback

Description

Test full compatibility with tidyprompt and max_tokens fallback

Usage

test_full_compatibility_with_fallback(
  model_provider,
  base_url,
  api_key,
  model,
  temperature,
  stream,
  timeout,
  max_tokens,
  verbose,
  ...
)

Test HTTP connection with max_tokens fallback

Description

Test HTTP connection with max_tokens fallback

Usage

test_http_connection_with_fallback(
  base_url,
  api_key,
  model,
  max_tokens,
  verbose = TRUE
)

These binaries (installable software) and packages are in development.
They may not be fully stable and should be used with caution. We make no claims about them.