OpenRouter

In one sentenceOne account and one API key that gives you access to hundreds of AI models from many companies, so you can switch models without new accounts.

What it means

Every AI company has its own API, account and bill. OpenRouter puts them behind one door: Claude, GPT, Gemini, Grok, Llama, DeepSeek, Qwen and many more, all reachable with the same key and the same code. You buy credits and pay per Token for whichever model you use.

It is a common way to power agent harnesses like OpenClaw and Hermes Agent, because you can change the model underneath with one setting: a cheap, fast model for routine work, a top model for hard thinking.

How to use it

• Use it to compare models on your real tasks before committing to one provider.
• Create a separate key for each app or agent, with its own credit limit, so one runaway agent cannot drain the whole account.
• Watch your balance. When credits run out, every tool using that account stops at once.

Related terms

API API Key Token Pricing Harness OpenClaw