Setting up
Observable Desktop with AI
If you use a Mac computer, then please dowload and use Observable Desktop.
Go to https://observablehq.com/notebook-kit/desktop and then scroll down to the Download link. (If you have time and interest, watch the video.) Install the app.
If you use a Windows PC or other computer, then you will be using your own development editor (like Visual Studio Code) which is a little more complicated but can be made to work in consultation with myself.
To use Observable Desktop you will need a free Observable account. Go to the Observable Desktop Guide to learn how to do this and also read through the guide for information about editing.
Adding an Anthropic → Claude API Key to Activate LLM Assistance
Within Observable Desktop – under Help – you will be able to access what is now the Claude Platform and set up a free/pay-as-you-go Claude account, add some credit to it and obtain an API key that you will then use to activate the AI assistant within the Desktop.
The minimum amount you can put in is $5 + tax = $5.35. I did this in August and I still have $1.82 credit the following Febrauary. Although my usage has not been great, I haven’t ever hesitated to use the AI assitant and have done quite a lot with it.