Guardrails — A New Python Package for Correcting Outputs of LLMs

ODSC - Open Data Science
2 min readFeb 22, 2024

A new open-source Python package looks to push for accuracy and reliability in the outputs of large language models. Named Guardrails, this new package hopes to assist LLM developers in their questions to eliminate bias, bugs, and usability issues in their model’s outputs.

The package is designed to bridge the gap left by existing validation tools, which often fall short in offering a holistic approach to ensuring both the structural integrity and content quality of LLM outputs.

This is done by introducing a novel concept known as the “rail spec,”. It empowers users to define the expected structure and type of outputs through a human-readable .rail file format. To go further, the package goes beyond mere structural checks.

It also incorporates criteria to evaluate content for biases or bugs, thereby elevating the quality of AI-generated outputs to unprecedented levels. With scale and compatibility in mind, Guardrails can work with a wide range of LLMs, including industry giants like OpenAI’s GPT and Anthropic’s Claude.

This also includes a plethora of models available on Hugging Face. This versatility ensures that developers can seamlessly integrate Guardrails into their existing workflows without having to navigate the complexities of model-specific validation tools.

What makes Guardrails an interesting package is that it can offer more than just validation. Its Pydantic-style validation feature guarantees that outputs not only meet the predefined structure but also adhere to specific variable types.

In instances where outputs deviate from the set criteria, Guardrails is designed to initiate corrective actions. For example, should a generated pet name surpass the maximum length, the tool automatically prompts a reask to the LLM, ensuring the generation of a compliant and suitable name.

Also, Guardrails enhances the efficiency of AI development processes through its support for streaming, enabling real-time validations. This feature not only streamlines the validation process but also enriches the interaction between developers and LLMs, making the generation of AI content more dynamic and immediate.

With LLMs continuing to be integrated into multiple industries at a rapid pace, the need to ensure the consistency and quality of outputs will only increase. If you’re interested in checking out the package yourself, you can follow this link to the GitHub page.

Originally posted on OpenDataScience.com

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