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How to Build Your First LLM Project: An AI Article Summarisation Application Step by Step

The real problem is not in learning… but in applying it
19 March 2026 by
ايكو ميديا للتسويق الرقمي, Khaled Taleb
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Introduction



At a certain stage, everyone learning artificial intelligence goes through the same frustration:

You understand the theories.

You know what a Transformer is.

You've watched dozens of explanations.

But when you try to build a project…

everything becomes blurry.


  • Do you need to train a model?



  • Do you use fine-tuning?



  • Do you start with RAG or Agents?


And this is where most people get lost.

The truth is much simpler than that:

You don't need a complex project… you need a clear and complete project.


Table of Contents
1. Project Idea
2. Why This Project is Ideal as a Start
3. Project Structure
4. summarizer.py File (the Brain)
5. app.py File (the Interface)
6. The Importance of Prompt Design
7. Support Files
8. What This Project Proves
9. Future Project Development
10. Key Insights
11. FAQ


1. Project Idea

The problem is simple:

Long articles take time.

And people want the idea… quickly.

The solution:

An application that allows the user to:

  • Paste any article


  • Choose the length of the summary


  • Get a simplified and easy-to-read version

The important point here is:

This is not a "text shortcut".

Rather:

A smart rewriting that understands the meaning and simplifies it.

And this is the real difference between LLM and traditional summarisation methods.


2. Why This Project is Ideal as a Start

Most beginners make the same mistake:

They build something too complex… too early.

Like:

  • Memory chatbots


  • Multi-agent systems


  • RAG pipelines

The problem?

You get lost before you learn the basics.

This project is ideal because:

  • Real-world usage


  • Easy to understand for anyone


  • The results are clear and can be evaluated


  • It teaches you the most important skill:Controlling the model's behaviour


3. Project structure

The project is very simple, and that is its strength.

It consists of:

1. summarizer.py

Here is all the intelligence


2. app.py

User interface


Additional files:
  • .env → to protect the API Key

  • requirements.txt → to run the project


This structure reflects something important:

Good projects start small… but they are organised.


4. summarizer.py (the real brain)

This file answers one question:

How do we make the model rewrite long text simply and accurately?


1. Key protection

The API Key is loaded from .env

This gives you:

  • Security


  • The ability to deploy the project


  • Professionalism in work


2. Running the model

The project uses:

LLaMA 3 via Groq

Why is this important?

  • High speed


  • Excellent response to commands


  • Very suitable for summarisation tasks


3. The summarisation function

The function does:

  • Text verification


  • Determining the length of the summary


  • Building a clear prompt

And here is a very important point:

All the intelligence should be here… not on the front end.


Read also:Why will everyone have a miniature smart assistant (Micro-AI) by 2026?

5. app.py (turning the idea into a product)

If summarizer.py is the brain…

app.py is the body.

Why Streamlit?

Because:

  • It's very fast to build



  • No Frontend required



  • Suitable for showcasing AI projects


Interface design

The design is simple but clever:

  • Left → original text



  • Right → summary



  • Clear button for execution


This gives a sense:

This is a product… not an experiment.


The importance of Session State

Without it:

  • The app reloads every time


  • Results disappear


  • The experience is poor

With it:

  • Stable experience


  • Professional behaviour


Summary length option

This is not just a UI feature.

But evidence that you understand:

  • Conditional Prompting


  • Changing model behaviour


6. The most important part of the project: the Prompt

In LLM projects:

The Prompt = the product

If it's weak → results are random

If it's clear → results are accurate

A good Prompt here asks the model:

  • To rephrase, not copy


  • Use simple language


  • Maintain meaning


  • Stick to a specified length


  • Avoid the 'traditional AI' style


And this is the difference between an ordinary project… and a professional one.


7. Support files

.env

Protects the keys

requirements.txt

It allows anyone to easily run the project

And this is very important if:

  • You showcase the project


  • You put it on GitHub


  • You use it as a portfolio


8. What does this project prove?

Despite its simplicity, it proves that you:

  • understand LLM APIs



  • know how to design Prompts



  • can build a complete application



  • care about structure and organisation



  • do not overcomplicate things

and that is a rare combination.


9. How the project can evolve later

Once it works excellently, you can add:

  • bullet point summarisation


  • input a link instead of text


  • change the tone (formal / simple)


  • extract key ideas

But the rule is:

start simple… then evolve.


In summary

The first LLM project does not have to be complex.

It should be:

  • clear


  • useful


  • usable

If you build this project correctly…

you have moved beyond the 'beginner' stage.


10. Key Insights

  • Most people fail because they start with complex projects


  • The Prompt is the most important element in LLM applications


  • simplicity + organisation = a strong project


  • A good UI turns code into a product


  • The first successful project is more important than 10 incomplete ideas


11. FAQ

Do I need to train a model to build this project?

No, you can use a ready-made API like LLaMA or GPT.


What is the most important skill here?

Clear and precise Prompt design.


Is this project enough for a portfolio?

Yes, if it is organised and works well.


About Echo Media

Echo Media is a company specialised in digital growth strategies and artificial intelligence systems, helping businesses build sustainable growth engines through marketing, sales, and operations.

We focus on transforming artificial intelligence from experimental tools intoreal operational systemsthat support decision-making, build scalable digital assets, and help companies grow independently of the individual effort of the founder.

Our expertise includes:

  • AI strategies for businesses


  • Building scalable growth systems


  • Product design and digital experience (UX)


  • Data-driven content and SEO strategies

Learn more:

www.echo-media.co

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