AI Model API Key Guide: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, OpenRouter — All in One Place

What’s This Article About?

This LaunchDock tutorial walks you through getting your API Key as quickly as possible so OpenClaw can connect to AI.

In the previous step, you chose your LLM plan. Now it’s time to get the key (API Key) that lets OpenClaw call AI models.

The entire process takes about 3–10 minutes, depending on which plan you chose.

You only need to pick one. You can always add other providers later.

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🚨 Important Concept: An API Key Is Like a Password

An API Key is like the key to your home. Whoever has it can call AI using your account — and spend your money.

Three basic rules:

1. Don’t screenshot and share your Key
2. Don’t post it anywhere public (GitHub, forums, chat rooms)
3. If it leaks, revoke it immediately and create a new one

In other words: An API Key is your front door key. You wouldn’t post a photo of your key on Instagram, right? Same logic — if a Key leaks, it’s like leaving your door wide open for anyone to come in and charge your credit card.

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Option A: Google AI Studio (Recommended for Beginners)

The simplest option — done in 3 minutes, no credit card needed.

Step 1: Go to Google AI Studio

1. Open your browser and go to Google AI Studio (search “Google AI Studio”)
2. Sign in with your Google account

Step 2: Get Your API Key

1. After signing in, find “Get API key” in the left sidebar
2. Click “Create API key”

3. Select a Google Cloud project (if you don’t have one, it will create one for you automatically)
4. Click “Create API key in new project”

5. Your Key will appear on screen in this format:

AIzaSyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Copy this Key and store it somewhere safe (e.g., a password manager or a private note)

Step 3: Verify the Key Works

On the Google AI Studio page, you can test it directly:

1. Go back to the main page
2. Type “Hello” in the chat box
3. If the AI responds, your account is working and the Key is valid

✅ Done! You’ve got your Gemini API Key. Jump to Next step: Install OpenClaw.

🚨 Common Issues

Q: It says “Google AI Studio is not available in your region”?

Some regions may have restrictions. Solutions:

• Check your Google account’s region settings
• Try using a different Google account

Q: Is this the same as a Google Cloud Console API Key?

No! These are two completely different things:

	Google AI Studio	Google Cloud Console
Purpose	Call Gemini AI models	Connect Google Drive / Gmail
Key format	AIzaSy...	OAuth Client ID + Secret
Cost	Generous free tier	Requires a billing account
Tutorial	This article	Google API Key Guide

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Option B: OpenRouter

One Key to access dozens of models.

Step 1: Create an Account

1. Go to the OpenRouter website
2. Click “Sign Up”
3. You can sign up directly with your Google account

Step 2: Get Your API Key

1. After signing in, click your avatar in the top right → “Keys”
2. Click “Create Key”
3. Enter openclaw as the name (or whatever you like)
4. Click “Create”

5. The Key will appear once, in this format:

sk-or-v1-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Copy it immediately! You won’t be able to see the full Key after closing this dialog

Step 3: Add Credits (Optional)

• The free credit can be used for testing first
• Need more credit: Click “Credit” → Choose an amount → Pay

✅ Done! Jump to Next step: Install OpenClaw.

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Option C: OpenAI API

Step 1: Create an OpenAI Platform Account

1. Go to OpenAI Platform (search “OpenAI API”)
2. Click “Sign up” to create an account (or sign in with your existing ChatGPT account)

⚠️ Note: The API and ChatGPT Plus are billed separately. Having ChatGPT Plus doesn’t mean you have API credits — you need to add funds separately.

Step 2: Add Funds

1. After signing in, go to “Settings” → “Billing”
2. Click “Add payment method” to add a credit card
3. Add at least $5 USD

4. Strongly recommended: Set a spending limit: In Billing → Usage limits → Set a Hard cap (e.g., $10/month)

Step 3: Create an API Key

1. Go to the “API keys” page
2. Click “Create new secret key”
3. Enter openclaw as the name
4. Click “Create secret key”

5. The Key format looks like this:

sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Copy it immediately! This Key is only shown once

✅ Done! Jump to Next step: Install OpenClaw.

🚨 Common Issues

Q: I forgot to copy the Key after creating it?

No worries — just create a new one. You can delete the old one.

Q: My credit card was declined?

OpenAI doesn’t accept some prepaid cards and virtual cards. Try a regular credit card or debit card.

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Option D: Anthropic API

Step 1: Create an Account

1. Go to Anthropic Console (search “Anthropic Console”)
2. Click “Sign Up”
3. Register with email and complete verification

Step 2: Get Your Free Credit

• New accounts receive $5 USD free credit
• No credit card required to use it

Step 3: Create an API Key

1. After signing in, go to the “API Keys” page
2. Click “Create Key”
3. Enter openclaw as the name
4. Click “Create Key”

5. The Key format looks like this:

sk-ant-api03-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Copy it immediately!

✅ Done! Jump to Next step: Install OpenClaw.

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Got Your Key — What’s Next?

You now have an API Key in hand. Store it securely — you’ll need it during the OpenClaw setup wizard after installation.

Next step: Install OpenClaw → Choose your operating system

👉 Install OpenClaw

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