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BAML

Open-source domain-specific language from BoundaryML for writing typed LLM functions with structured inputs and outputs, a VSCode playground, and generated clients you can call from Python, TypeScript, Go, and more.

by BoundaryML · submitted by davion-knight·added 2026-07-09·
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Source URLs
https://docs.boundaryml.com/, https://github.com/BoundaryML/baml, https://www.boundaryml.com/
Brand
BAML
Brand domain
boundaryml.com
Brand asset source
brandfetch
Safety notes
BAML functions call LLM providers using the credentials you configure, so scope those provider keys to the minimum needed and keep them out of source control., BAML generates client code that runs inside your application; review generated clients before shipping, and treat typed outputs as untrusted input for account, billing, data, or infrastructure actions., Static typing and schema validation reduce parsing errors, but they do not guarantee that a model's answer is correct, complete, or safe., The BAML CLI and VSCode extension run locally and write generated code into your project; run them in an environment where writing those files is expected., Keep production usage and permissions narrower than playground or example projects.
Privacy notes
BAML functions send prompts and inputs to the configured model providers, which process that data under their own data-handling terms., Prompt templates, test inputs, and example data can contain personal or proprietary information, so keep them and provider credentials out of version control., Generated outputs, and any logging or tracing you add around BAML calls, can retain prompts and results outside the library., Apply normal retention and access-control policies to BAML source files, generated clients, and test fixtures that include real data.
Author
BoundaryML
Submitted by
davion-knight
Claim status
unclaimed
Last verified
2026-07-09

Decision playbook

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  • Trust level risk gateRequired

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Package and install checks

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Adoption plan

Balanced adoption plan

Current risk score 16/100. Use staged verification before broader rollout.

Risk 16

Pre-adoption checks

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Rollout

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Evidence readiness

Evidence readiness matrix · balanced

Required evidence gates are covered (5/6 signals complete).

Risk 15

Source provenance

Present

Source repository/provenance is listed.

Required in this preset

Metadata review

Present

Review metadata is present.

Required in this preset

Safety notes

Present

Safety notes are present.

Required in this preset

Privacy notes

Present

Privacy notes are present.

Optional in this preset

Package integrity

Missing

Package integrity metadata is missing.

Optional in this preset

Install payload

Present

Install payload is available.

Required in this preset

Required evidence gates are covered for this preset.

Decision timeline

Decision timeline · balanced

5/6 steps complete with no blocking gaps for this preset.

Risk 14

triage

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triage

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verify

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Package integrity metadata is missing.

Pending

rollout

Verify install payload and commandsRequired

Install payload is available.

Done

No required blockers for this timeline preset.

Safety notes

  • BAML functions call LLM providers using the credentials you configure, so scope those provider keys to the minimum needed and keep them out of source control.
  • BAML generates client code that runs inside your application; review generated clients before shipping, and treat typed outputs as untrusted input for account, billing, data, or infrastructure actions.
  • Static typing and schema validation reduce parsing errors, but they do not guarantee that a model's answer is correct, complete, or safe.
  • The BAML CLI and VSCode extension run locally and write generated code into your project; run them in an environment where writing those files is expected.
  • Keep production usage and permissions narrower than playground or example projects.

Privacy notes

  • BAML functions send prompts and inputs to the configured model providers, which process that data under their own data-handling terms.
  • Prompt templates, test inputs, and example data can contain personal or proprietary information, so keep them and provider credentials out of version control.
  • Generated outputs, and any logging or tracing you add around BAML calls, can retain prompts and results outside the library.
  • Apply normal retention and access-control policies to BAML source files, generated clients, and test fixtures that include real data.

Prerequisites

  • A way to install the BAML toolchain (for example the CLI via Homebrew) and, for embedding, the language SDK such as `@boundaryml/baml` for TypeScript or `baml-py` for Python.
  • Model-provider credentials for the LLM providers your BAML functions call.
  • Defined input and output types for each BAML function before generating clients.
  • A build step to regenerate BAML clients when function definitions change, and a place to review the generated code.

Schema details

Install type
copy
Troubleshooting
No
Source repository stats
Scope
Source repo
Tool listing metadata
Pricing
open-source
Disclosure
editorial
Application category
DeveloperApplication
Operating system
macOS, Windows, Linux
Full copyable content
## Editorial notes

BAML is useful when Claude-adjacent teams want LLM calls to behave like typed functions rather than loose prompt strings. You define a function's inputs, output schema, and prompt in BAML, then generate clients that your application code calls in Python, TypeScript, Go, and more, so structured outputs and types are part of the toolchain instead of hand-written parsing.

This is distinct from existing entries: rather than an agent framework or a runtime library, BAML is a domain-specific language and toolchain (with a VSCode playground and generated clients) for authoring and testing typed LLM functions that other frameworks and application code can call.

## Source notes

- The official repository describes BAML ("Basically A Made-up Language") as the programming language for agents, designed so agents make fewer mistakes.
- BAML looks like TypeScript, is statically typed, and provides typed, statically analyzed errors for LLM function definitions.
- BAML can run standalone or be called from other languages, including Python, TypeScript, and Go.
- The toolchain includes a CLI (installable via Homebrew), project scaffolding (`baml init`), and a VSCode extension / playground for editing and testing functions.
- Language SDKs are published as `@boundaryml/baml` on npm and `baml-py` on PyPI, with documentation at docs.boundaryml.com.
- The GitHub repository is `BoundaryML/baml`, is Apache-2.0 licensed per its LICENSE file, and is maintained by BoundaryML.

## Duplicate check

Checked current `content/tools/`, `content/mcp/`, agents, skills, hooks, rules, commands, guides, open pull requests, and repository-wide content for `BAML`, `baml`, `boundaryml`, `boundaryml.com`, `github.com/BoundaryML/baml`, `@boundaryml/baml`, `baml-py`, and `typed llm functions`. Existing entries such as Instructor-style and DSPy-style tools cover adjacent structured-output needs, but no dedicated BAML tools entry, BAML source URL duplicate, or open duplicate PR was found.

## Disclosure

Editorial listing. No paid placement or affiliate link is used.

About this resource

Editorial notes

BAML is useful when Claude-adjacent teams want LLM calls to behave like typed functions rather than loose prompt strings. You define a function's inputs, output schema, and prompt in BAML, then generate clients that your application code calls in Python, TypeScript, Go, and more, so structured outputs and types are part of the toolchain instead of hand-written parsing.

This is distinct from existing entries: rather than an agent framework or a runtime library, BAML is a domain-specific language and toolchain (with a VSCode playground and generated clients) for authoring and testing typed LLM functions that other frameworks and application code can call.

Source notes

  • The official repository describes BAML ("Basically A Made-up Language") as the programming language for agents, designed so agents make fewer mistakes.
  • BAML looks like TypeScript, is statically typed, and provides typed, statically analyzed errors for LLM function definitions.
  • BAML can run standalone or be called from other languages, including Python, TypeScript, and Go.
  • The toolchain includes a CLI (installable via Homebrew), project scaffolding (baml init), and a VSCode extension / playground for editing and testing functions.
  • Language SDKs are published as @boundaryml/baml on npm and baml-py on PyPI, with documentation at docs.boundaryml.com.
  • The GitHub repository is BoundaryML/baml, is Apache-2.0 licensed per its LICENSE file, and is maintained by BoundaryML.

Duplicate check

Checked current content/tools/, content/mcp/, agents, skills, hooks, rules, commands, guides, open pull requests, and repository-wide content for BAML, baml, boundaryml, boundaryml.com, github.com/BoundaryML/baml, @boundaryml/baml, baml-py, and typed llm functions. Existing entries such as Instructor-style and DSPy-style tools cover adjacent structured-output needs, but no dedicated BAML tools entry, BAML source URL duplicate, or open duplicate PR was found.

Disclosure

Editorial listing. No paid placement or affiliate link is used.

Source citations

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How it compares

BAML side by side with 3 alternatives on trust, install, platform support, and disclosed safety notes — all from reviewed registry metadata.

1 trust signal differ across this comparison (Submitter).

Field

Open-source domain-specific language from BoundaryML for writing typed LLM functions with structured inputs and outputs, a VSCode playground, and generated clients you can call from Python, TypeScript, Go, and more.

Open dossier

Open-source Python framework from Prefect for structured outputs and agentic AI workflows, with tasks, specialized agents, threads, and extract/cast/classify/generate utilities.

Open dossier

Open-source Python library from dottxt for structured LLM generation, guaranteeing outputs that match a JSON schema, Pydantic model, regex, grammar, or multiple-choice set during generation across many model backends.

Open dossier

Open-source LLMOps platform for prompt management, prompt versioning, evaluation, and observability across LLM applications.

Open dossier
Next steps
Trust
Review statusReviewedMaintainer reviewedReviewedMaintainer reviewedReviewedMaintainer reviewedReviewedMaintainer reviewed
Package trustPackage not verifiedPackage not verifiedPackage not verifiedPackage not verified
Source provenanceSource-backedSource-backedSource-backedSource-backed
SubmitterDiffersdavion-knightdavion-knightdavion-knightoktofeesh1
Install riskReview firstReview firstReview firstReview first
Notes Safety Privacy Safety Privacy Safety Privacy Safety Privacy
BrandBAML logoBAMLMarvin logoMarvinOutlines logoOutlinesAgenta logoAgenta
Categorytoolstoolstoolstools
Sourcesource-backedsource-backedsource-backedsource-backed
AuthorBoundaryMLPrefectHQdottxt-aiAgenta
Added2026-07-092026-07-092026-07-092026-06-03
Platforms
CLI
CLI
CLI
CLI
Source repo
Safety notesBAML functions call LLM providers using the credentials you configure, so scope those provider keys to the minimum needed and keep them out of source control. BAML generates client code that runs inside your application; review generated clients before shipping, and treat typed outputs as untrusted input for account, billing, data, or infrastructure actions. Static typing and schema validation reduce parsing errors, but they do not guarantee that a model's answer is correct, complete, or safe. The BAML CLI and VSCode extension run locally and write generated code into your project; run them in an environment where writing those files is expected. Keep production usage and permissions narrower than playground or example projects.Marvin agents can be given tools that run code, call external APIs, query databases, or take other actions; review each tool's side effects before assigning it to a task. Structured outputs (extract, cast, classify, generate) reduce parsing errors but do not prove that a model response is correct, complete, or safe for a downstream decision. Tool names, descriptions, task instructions, and thread history become model-facing context, so treat them as untrusted input that can steer agent behavior. Add human-in-the-loop approval, timeouts, and rollback policies before agents perform account, billing, data, or infrastructure actions. Keep production permissions narrower than notebook or demo examples, and scope model-provider and tool credentials to least privilege.Outlines constrains the structure of a model's output, but it does not verify that the content is correct, complete, or safe; a schema-valid response can still be wrong for a downstream action. Generation runs through the model backend you configure, so it uses that backend's credentials and compute; local backends run models on your machine and hosted backends send prompts to the provider. Complex grammars or schemas can affect latency and cost, so test constraints before relying on them in production. Treat prompt template inputs and generated outputs as untrusted, and validate any values used to take account, billing, data, or infrastructure actions. Keep production usage and permissions narrower than notebook or example code.Agenta can manage and deploy prompt or configuration changes, so production updates should go through review and rollback controls. Webhooks and GitHub automations tied to prompt or deployment changes should be scoped to trusted repositories and guarded workflows. Evaluation and online monitoring results should support, not replace, domain review for high-risk application behavior.
Privacy notesBAML functions send prompts and inputs to the configured model providers, which process that data under their own data-handling terms. Prompt templates, test inputs, and example data can contain personal or proprietary information, so keep them and provider credentials out of version control. Generated outputs, and any logging or tracing you add around BAML calls, can retain prompts and results outside the library. Apply normal retention and access-control policies to BAML source files, generated clients, and test fixtures that include real data.Marvin sends prompts, task instructions, inputs, tool arguments, tool results, and thread history to configured model providers when running tasks and agents. Extract, cast, and classify calls pass whatever unstructured input you provide to the model, which can include personal, customer, or proprietary data. Threads, memory, tool outputs, and any observability or logging destinations can retain prompts, outputs, and metadata outside the application runtime. Tools that read files, databases, or APIs can surface local or workspace data into prompts, outputs, and stored thread state, so apply normal retention and access-control policies.Prompts and any data placed into prompt templates are sent to the configured model backend, which may be a local model or a hosted API. Hosted backends process prompts and outputs under their own data-handling terms, while local backends keep inference on your machine. Generated outputs, schemas, and templates can contain personal or proprietary data, so apply normal retention and access-control policies. Logs, traces, or caches produced by your backend or application can retain prompts and outputs outside the library itself.Prompt records, variants, test sets, traces, model inputs and outputs, feedback, annotations, and evaluation results may be stored in Agenta. Hosted Agenta use sends that data to Agenta Cloud; self-hosted deployments still require retention, access-control, and backup policies. Review Agenta's sensitive-data redaction and retention guidance before sending production, customer, or regulated data.
Prerequisites
  • A way to install the BAML toolchain (for example the CLI via Homebrew) and, for embedding, the language SDK such as `@boundaryml/baml` for TypeScript or `baml-py` for Python.
  • Model-provider credentials for the LLM providers your BAML functions call.
  • Defined input and output types for each BAML function before generating clients.
  • A build step to regenerate BAML clients when function definitions change, and a place to review the generated code.
  • Python 3.10+ project and a dependency manager to install `marvin` (for example `uv add marvin` or `pip install marvin`) from PyPI.
  • Model-provider credentials or local model configuration for the LLM the tasks and agents use.
  • Clear task objectives, output types, and agent boundaries before delegating work to LLMs in application code.
  • A plan for tools, memory, and thread state if orchestrating multi-step or multi-agent workflows.
  • Python 3.10+ project and a dependency manager to install `outlines` from PyPI.
  • A model backend to run generation against, such as Transformers, llama.cpp, or vLLM locally, or a hosted API like OpenAI or Ollama.
  • Backend credentials or local model files and enough compute for the chosen backend.
  • The target output shape defined as a JSON schema, Pydantic model, regex, grammar, or choice set.
  • LLM application, prompt workflow, or agent workflow whose prompts and configurations need shared management.
  • Access to Agenta Cloud or a reviewed self-hosted Agenta deployment.
  • Provider credentials and a release policy for test sets, traces, prompt versions, and production deployment approvals.
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