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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
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bugSomething isn't workingSomething isn't workingdocumentationImprovements or additions to documentationImprovements or additions to documentation
Description
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_storesattribute does not exist in my environment. - Attempting to access it results in:
AttributeError: 'Beta' object has no attribute 'vector_stores' - However, the
vector_storesdirectory 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_storesis present:.venv/lib/python3.13/site-packages/openai/resources/vector_stores/
What I Expect
client.beta.vector_storesshould 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_storesin 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:
- Install the latest OpenAI Python SDK (
pip install --upgrade openai). - Set your OpenAI API key in your environment (e.g.,
export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...). - 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- Observe that
client.beta.vector_storesdoes 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
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bugSomething isn't workingSomething isn't workingdocumentationImprovements or additions to documentationImprovements or additions to documentation
Activity
fix(beta): expose vector_stores in Beta client (fixes openai#2451)
fix: expose client.beta.vector_stores in Python SDK (closes openai#2451)
nightcityblade commentedon Apr 19, 2026
Hi, I'd like to work on this. I'll submit a PR shortly.
nightcityblade commentedon Apr 29, 2026
Hi, I'd like to work on this. I'll submit a PR shortly.
feat: restore beta vector_stores access
zuhabul commentedon May 9, 2026
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.
LeonxLJX commentedon Sep 1, 2026
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)LeonxLJX commentedon Sep 1, 2026
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)LeonxLJX commentedon Sep 1, 2026
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)marcuswood-oai commentedon Sep 10, 2026
Thank you for reporting this. The namespace change broke older examples: use
client.vector_stores.create(...)andclient.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.
docs: fix vector store polling helper paths (#3101)