Prompt injection detection for Python + Flask

Arcjet prompt injection detection evaluates each incoming prompt for injection patterns inside your application before it reaches the AI provider. Detected attacks are blocked before the AI call is made, protecting both your application behavior and your AI budget.

What is Arcjet?

Arcjet is the runtime security platform that ships with your code. Enforce budgets, stop prompt injection, detect bots, and protect personal information with Arcjet's AI security building blocks.

Quick start

In this example we use LangChain to create a simple AI chat server with Flask, and Arcjet to block prompt injection attacks before they reach the AI model. The same principles can be applied to any AI application, including those built with other frameworks.

Set up the environment and install dependencies (uses uv, but you can also use pip to install the Arcjet Python SDK):

# Export your Arcjet API key from https://console.arcjet.com
export ARCJET_KEY="ajkey_..."
export ARCJET_ENV=development

# Export your OpenAI API key (used by LangChain)
export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-..."

# Install dependencies
uv add arcjet flask langchain langchain-openai

Create the chat server:

app.py

import logging
import os

from arcjet import Mode, arcjet_sync, detect_prompt_injection, shield
from flask import Flask, jsonify, request
from langchain_core.output_parsers import StrOutputParser
from langchain_core.prompts import ChatPromptTemplate
from langchain_openai import ChatOpenAI

app = Flask(__name__)

logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

arcjet_key = os.getenv("ARCJET_KEY")
if not arcjet_key:
    raise RuntimeError("ARCJET_KEY is required. Get one at https://console.arcjet.com")

openai_api_key = os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY")
if not openai_api_key:
    raise RuntimeError(
        "OPENAI_API_KEY is required. Get one at https://platform.openai.com"
    )

llm = ChatOpenAI(model="gpt-4o-mini", api_key=openai_api_key)

prompt = ChatPromptTemplate.from_messages(
    [
        ("system", "You are a helpful assistant."),
        ("human", "{message}"),
    ]
)

chain = prompt | llm | StrOutputParser()

# Create a single Arcjet client at startup and reuse it across requests
aj = arcjet_sync(
    key=arcjet_key,  # Get your key from https://console.arcjet.com
    rules=[
        # Shield protects against common web attacks e.g. SQL injection
        shield(mode=Mode.LIVE),
        # Detect prompt injection attacks before they reach your AI model
        detect_prompt_injection(
            mode=Mode.LIVE,  # Blocks requests. Use Mode.DRY_RUN to log only
        ),
    ],
)


@app.post("/chat")
def chat():
    body = request.get_json()
    message = body.get("message", "") if body else ""

    # Pass the user message so detect_prompt_injection can evaluate it
    decision = aj.protect(request, detect_prompt_injection_message=message)

    if decision.is_denied():
        if decision.reason_v2.type == "PROMPT_INJECTION":
            logger.warning("Request blocked due to prompt injection")
            return jsonify(
                error="Prompt injection detected — please rephrase your message"
            ), 400
        # SHIELD or any other denial
        return jsonify(error="Forbidden"), 403

    # Arcjet approved — call the AI model
    reply = chain.invoke({"message": message})

    return jsonify(reply=reply)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    app.run(debug=True)

Then run the server:

uv run python app.py

And send a message to the API endpoint:

curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/chat \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"message": "What is the capital of France?"}'

Requests appear in your Arcjet dashboard in real time.

What next?

Prompt injection detection intro Learn how prompt injection detection works and when to use it.

AI abuse protection Combine with bot detection for complete AI app protection.

AI data loss prevention Prevent PII from entering model context alongside prompt injection protection.

Testing Write tests for your rules.

Get help

Need help with anything? Email support@arcjet.com to get support from our engineering team.

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