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client.beta.vector_stores Not Exposed in Python SDK Despite Documentation (v1.93.2) #2451

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LuminaX-alt/openai-python
#11

Description

@WillFrasier

Confirm this is an issue with the Python library and not an underlying OpenAI API

  • This is an issue with the Python library

Describe the bug

Summary

I am unable to use the vector_stores endpoints in the latest OpenAI Python SDK (openai v1.93.2), even though the official documentation and the SDK's own source code show these features should be available.


Environment

  • openai package version: 1.93.2
  • Python version: 3.13
  • OS: macOS
  • Virtual environment: Yes (.venv)
  • How installed: pip install openai --upgrade

What I Did

I am following the official documentation for using the Assistants v2 API with file search, which requires creating a vector store and associating it with an assistant.
The documented code looks like this:

vector_store = client.beta.vector_stores.create(name="my_store")
vector_store_file = client.beta.vector_stores.files.create_and_poll(
    vector_store_id=vector_store.id,
    file_id=file.id,
)
assistant = client.beta.assistants.update(
    assistant_id=assistant.id,
    tools=[{"type": "file_search"}],
    tool_resources={
        "file_search": {
            "vector_store_ids": [vector_store.id]
        }
    }
)

What Actually Happens

  • The client.beta.vector_stores attribute does not exist in my environment.
  • Attempting to access it results in:
    AttributeError: 'Beta' object has no attribute 'vector_stores'
  • However, the vector_stores directory and code are present in the installed SDK package.

Debug Output

from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(api_key="sk-...")
print(hasattr(client.beta, "vector_stores"))  # Outputs: False
  • Listing the SDK package contents shows vector_stores is present:
    .venv/lib/python3.13/site-packages/openai/resources/vector_stores/
    

What I Expect

  • client.beta.vector_stores should be available and work as documented.
  • The SDK and documentation should match, or there should be a clear indication if this is a gated/beta/feature-flagged API.

Additional Notes

  • I have tried reinstalling the SDK and recreating my virtual environment.
  • This issue persists across different Python versions and environments.
  • The official documentation and markdown examples all use client.beta.vector_stores.

Questions

  • Is there a feature flag or special access required to use vector_stores in the Python SDK?
  • Is this a rollout issue, or is the documentation ahead of the SDK release?
  • Is there a recommended workaround until this is resolved?

Thank you for your help!
(Feel free to request any additional logs or environment details.)

To Reproduce

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Install the latest OpenAI Python SDK (pip install --upgrade openai).
  2. Set your OpenAI API key in your environment (e.g., export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...).
  3. Start a Python interpreter or run the following script:
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(api_key="sk-...")
print(hasattr(client.beta, "vector_stores"))  # Expected: True; Actual: False
  1. Observe that client.beta.vector_stores does not exist, even though the documentation and SDK package contents suggest it should.

Code snippets

OS

macOS

Python version

3.13

Library version

1.93.2

Activity

  1. added a commit that references this issue on Jul 17, 2025
    1af19b0
  2. added a commit that references this issue on Jul 31, 2025
    24cd157
  3. nightcityblade commented on Apr 19, 2026

    @nightcityblade
    Contributor

    Hi, I'd like to work on this. I'll submit a PR shortly.

  4. nightcityblade commented on Apr 29, 2026

    @nightcityblade
    Contributor

    Hi, I'd like to work on this. I'll submit a PR shortly.

  5. added a commit that references this issue on May 9, 2026
    0a8f53c
  6. zuhabul commented on May 9, 2026

    @zuhabul

    Opened a fix PR from @zuhabul: https://github.com/openai/openai-python/pull/3216\n\nThis restores client.beta.vector_stores as a backwards-compatible alias (sync+async, raw+streaming wrappers) and adds targeted tests.

  7. LeonxLJX commented on Sep 1, 2026

    @LeonxLJX

    I'd like to take this one (``client.beta.vector_stores Not Exposed in Python SDK Despit). I'll dig into the root cause and follow up with a PR shortly. (claiming via @LeonxLJX)

  8. LeonxLJX commented on Sep 1, 2026

    @LeonxLJX

    I'd like to take this one (``client.beta.vector_stores Not Exposed in Python SDK Despit). I'll look into the root cause and follow up with a PR. (claiming via @LeonxLJX)

  9. LeonxLJX commented on Sep 1, 2026

    @LeonxLJX

    I'd like to take this one (``client.beta.vector_stores Not Exposed in Python SDK Despit). I'll look into the root cause and follow up with a PR. (claiming via @LeonxLJX)

  10. marcuswood-oai commented on Sep 10, 2026

    @marcuswood-oai
    Contributor

    Thank you for reporting this. The namespace change broke older examples: use client.vector_stores.create(...) and client.vector_stores.files.create_and_poll(...). The current file-search guide uses this namespace.

    We’re closing this as a migration question. For new file-search integrations, follow that guide’s Responses API example. If this doesn’t address the issue, please comment here with the current call and SDK version.

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