Migrating off the OpenAI Assistants API before it shuts off (Aug 26, 2026)

Short summary

OpenAI is shutting down the Assistants API on August 26, 2026, with no migration tool or grace period. This guide maps API changes (Assistants→Prompts, Threads→Conversations, Runs→Responses), provides Python and JS/TS code examples, and outlines a practical inventory strategy using grep plus CI gates to prevent regressions.

• •API shutdown: August 26, 2026; no auto-migration or grace period
• •Core renames: Assistants→Prompts, Threads→Conversations, Runs→Responses; Responses are now synchronous
• •Migration challenges: existing thread history doesn't auto-port, assistant config moves to dashboard, tool calls become Items
• •Strategy: grep-based inventory, manual rewrite per docs, CI gate to catch regressions

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.