OpenAI Python SDK 3.42.0 Adds Agent Context Compaction Controls

OpenAI shipped version 3.42.0 of its Python SDK on October 31, pushing agent-focused controls deeper into client code. The headline additions, per the release notes, are "add agent context compaction settings," "add agent session review and tool settings," and "add experimental agent time awareness."

Security and credentials get attention too. The notes list "add organization external key management" and promise to "keep callable API keys scoped to each request." Real-time telephony users pick up "add SIP DTMF commands and delivery events," while WebSocket work spans "improve WebSocket recovery and delivery reporting" and "support WebSocket warmup and preserve cleanup cancellation." One bug fix is called out: "preserve refusal output and authentication in WebSocket helpers."

It is one of a run of OpenAI entries in our tracker today. For agent builders, the compaction setting is the one to read first: summarization behavior that used to be opaque is now something you set in your own call.