---
title: "What is an LLM framework?"
description: "An LLM framework is a library for chaining model calls, tools, and prompts in application code."
url: "https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-an-llm-framework"
updated: "2026-09-29"
vertical: "Orchestration"
doc: "https://docs.pixeltable.com/overview/quick-start"
---

# What is an LLM framework?

An LLM framework is a library for chaining model calls, tools, and prompts in application code.

Updated: 2026-09-29


## On this page

- [How it works](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-an-llm-framework#how-it-works)
- [What it is not](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-an-llm-framework#what-it-is-not)
- [Comparison](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-an-llm-framework#comparison)
- [Where Pixeltable fits](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-an-llm-framework#where-pixeltable-fits)
- [Questions](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-an-llm-framework#questions)

## How it works {#how-it-works}


- You compose calls in code.
- State lives wherever you put it.
- A table can sit underneath so outputs are rows, not variables.

## What it is not {#what-it-is-not}

It is not the store those calls read, and it does not by itself keep embeddings in sync with files.

## LLM framework: this, and the thing it is confused with {#comparison}

|  | This | Not this |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Writes | Control flow | The system of record |
| State | Your problem | Rows, if you add a store |
| Media | Usually passed through | Typed columns |

## Where Pixeltable fits {#where-pixeltable-fits}

Pixeltable can be the store and the computed columns under a framework, or replace the chain when the chain was only glue around tables. The LangChain comparison is that boundary.

## Questions {#questions}

### How does LLM framework work? {#faq-1}

You compose calls in code. State lives wherever you put it. A table can sit underneath so outputs are rows, not variables.

### What is LLM framework often confused with? {#faq-2}

It is not the store those calls read, and it does not by itself keep embeddings in sync with files.

## In the blog

- [When AI Frameworks Become Roadblocks: Why We Need Infrastructure, Not Abstractions](https://pixeltable.com/blog/when-ai-frameworks-become-roadblocks)
- [Five Things Pixeltable Does That No Combination of LangChain, Pinecone, and Airflow Can](https://pixeltable.com/blog/five-things-pixeltable-does-competitors-cant)
- [Pixeltable vs LangChain for RAG Systems: Comprehensive Comparison for AI Infrastructure](https://pixeltable.com/blog/pixeltable-vs-langchain-rag-comparison)

## Related

- [Documentation](https://docs.pixeltable.com/overview/quick-start)
- [Pixeltable vs LangChain for RAG Systems: Comprehensive Comparison for AI Infrastructure](https://pixeltable.com/blog/pixeltable-vs-langchain-rag-comparison)
- [When AI Frameworks Become Roadblocks: Why We Need Infrastructure, Not Abstractions](https://pixeltable.com/blog/when-ai-frameworks-become-roadblocks)
- [Pixeltable vs LangChain](https://pixeltable.com/compare/pixeltable-vs-langchain)