How to Integrate OpenAI API into a React Application
The landscape of AI-integrated user interfaces has moved far beyond simple text-in, text-out boxes. In 2026, users expect “Generative UI”—interfaces that stream data in real-time, adapt their layout based on AI responses, and feel instantaneous. Integrating the OpenAI API into a React 19 application requires more than a simple fetch request; it requires a robust architecture that prioritizes security, performance, and the seamless handling of Server-Sent Events (SSE).
However, before writing a single line of code, we must address the “frontend trap.” Never call the OpenAI API directly from your React client-side code. Doing so exposes your secret API keys to the browser’s network tab, allowing anyone to steal your credits. The modern standard is to use a Serverless Proxy—typically via Next.js Route Handlers or a dedicated Express middleware—to act as a secure bridge between your React app and OpenAI.
Architectural Blueprint
The modern integration flow follows a three-tier structure:…
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