# OpenAI Realtime integration (/en/ai/reference/openai-realtime-integration)

> For AI agents: see the complete documentation index at [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

This guide explains how to combine Agora's real-time audio transport with the OpenAI Realtime API.

Use this integration when you want Agora to handle the live audio session and network transport, while OpenAI Realtime handles the model-side conversational behavior.

This is not the same as building on Agora's managed Conversational AI Engine. If you want Agora to manage the voice-agent runtime, use the main Conversational AI build path instead.

## When to use this path [#when-to-use-this-path]

* You already know you want to build around the OpenAI Realtime API.
* You need Agora RTC or Video SDK transport in front of that model stack.
* You are building a browser demo, device-oriented flow, or backend-mediated prototype around OpenAI Realtime.

## When not to use this path [#when-not-to-use-this-path]

* You want the default Agora-managed voice-agent stack.
* You are looking for the main onboarding path for Conversational AI Engine.
* You want Agent Studio or the Device Kit route instead of a custom integration.

## Core pieces [#core-pieces]

* **Agora App ID**: Identifies your Agora project.
* **App certificate and token model**: Used for secure join flows where needed.
* **Channel and user ID**: Define the live session and participants.
* **SD-RTN**: Provides Agora's low-latency transport layer.
* **OpenAI Realtime API**: Provides the model-side real-time conversation flow.

## Recommended quickstart flow [#recommended-quickstart-flow]

1. Prepare your Agora account and project.
2. Decide how your client joins the Agora session and how the OpenAI-side session is coordinated.
3. Configure the OpenAI Realtime model and audio flow.
4. Run the round-trip voice path locally and validate latency, auth, and media behavior.

## Security and network checks [#security-and-network-checks]

* Keep Agora credentials and provider API keys on the server side.
* Separate local, staging, and production credentials.
* Review firewall requirements before testing in restricted networks.
* Re-test the full join and media path after changing transport or security settings.

## Related pages [#related-pages]

* [Conversational AI quickstart](/en/ai/get-started/quickstart)
* [MCP integration](/en/ai/get-started/mcp-integrate)
* [Agora skills](/en/ai/get-started/skills-integrate)
* [Security and privacy](/en/introduction/security-privacy)
* [Firewall requirements](/en/introduction/firewall)
* [Glossary](/en/introduction/glossary)