---
title: OpenClaw with AI Gateway
product: vercel
url: /docs/ai-gateway/coding-agents/openclaw
canonical_url: "https://vercel.com/docs/ai-gateway/coding-agents/openclaw"
last_updated: 2026-09-13
type: how-to
prerequisites:
  - /docs/ai-gateway/coding-agents
  - /docs/ai-gateway
related:
  - /docs/cli/ai-gateway
  - /docs/ai-gateway/observability-and-spend/budgets
summary: Connect OpenClaw to AI Gateway with the Vercel CLI or manual provider configuration. Use gateway models across coding agents and messaging channels.
install_vercel_plugin: npx plugins add vercel/vercel-plugin
---

# OpenClaw with AI Gateway

[OpenClaw](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw) is a self-hosted gateway that connects messaging platforms and coding agents. Add AI Gateway as a model provider so every agent and channel shares one key, one model catalog, and one spend view.

## Set up with the Vercel CLI

Run the [Vercel CLI setup command](/docs/cli/ai-gateway#setup) for OpenClaw:

```bash filename="terminal"
npx vercel ai-gateway setup --agent openclaw
```

The command provisions a key, adds the provider and a starter model list to `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`, and exports `AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY` from a managed block in your shell startup file.

## Configuring OpenClaw

If you can't use the Vercel CLI, configure OpenClaw manually:

- ### Create an API key
  Go to the [**AI Gateway**](https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai-gateway\&title=Go+to+AI+Gateway) section in the Vercel dashboard sidebar and click **API keys** to create a new API key.

- ### Export the key
  Add the key to your shell configuration file, for example `~/.zshrc` or `~/.bashrc`:
  ```bash filename="Terminal"
  export AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY="your-ai-gateway-api-key"
  ```

- ### Add the provider
  OpenClaw reads `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`. Add the gateway under `models.providers`:
  ```json filename="~/.openclaw/openclaw.json"
  {
    "models": {
      "providers": {
        "vercel-ai-gateway": {
          "baseUrl": "https://ai-gateway.vercel.sh/coding-agent/v1",
          "apiKey": "${AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY}",
          "api": "openai-completions",
          "models": [
            { "id": "anthropic/claude-opus-5", "name": "Claude Opus 5 (Gateway)" },
            { "id": "openai/gpt-6-astra", "name": "GPT-6 Astra (Gateway)" },
            { "id": "google/gemini-3.6-flash", "name": "Gemini 3.6 Flash (Gateway)" }
          ]
        }
      }
    },
    "agents": {
      "defaults": {
        "model": {
          "primary": "vercel-ai-gateway/anthropic/claude-opus-5"
        }
      }
    }
  }
  ```
  The `${...}` reference is OpenClaw's own environment syntax, resolved when it loads the config, so your key stays out of the file.

  `https://ai-gateway.vercel.sh/coding-agent/v1` is the [coding agent surface](/docs/cli/ai-gateway#the-coding-agent-surface), the default base URL for agents that have no dedicated endpoint. It's the same URL the setup command writes.
  > **💡 Note:** Only models declared in the provider's `models` array are routable, so add
  > any gateway model you want to use. Browse the [models
  > catalog](/ai-gateway/models) for IDs.

- ### Reload OpenClaw
  OpenClaw watches its config file and applies most changes on its own. If the new provider doesn't show up, restart the gateway process.

## Next steps

- Browse the [models catalog](/ai-gateway/models) for available models
- Read OpenClaw's [model provider documentation](https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration)
- Configure [spend limits](/docs/ai-gateway/observability-and-spend/budgets) on your API key
- Connect your other agents with the [Vercel CLI](/docs/cli/ai-gateway#setup)


---

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