ClawNode
Get your LLM API key
OpenClaw needs an API key from Anthropic (Claude) or OpenAI to power your AI. Follow the steps below to get one and add it to your instance.
What's an API key? (Don't worry, it's simpler than it sounds)
An API key is like a password that lets your AI assistant "log in" to ChatGPT or Claude - the services that power the actual thinking and responses. It's just a long code you copy and paste.
Here's the split: ClawNode hosts your OpenClaw (the software that connects to Gmail, your calendar, WhatsApp, and more). But the brain - the part that reads, writes, and decides - comes from ChatGPT or Claude. Your API key is how we connect those two. You get it from OpenAI (ChatGPT) or Anthropic (Claude); both offer free or low-cost tiers to start.
Credits are required
For both Anthropic and OpenAI, you must add credit or enable billing on your account. An API key alone is not enough - without credits, the API will not respond and your assistant will show no reply, three dots, or a blank response. Follow the "Add credit so API access is enabled" step in each section below.
Get an Anthropic (Claude) API key
OpenClaw can use Claude models via Anthropic's API. You need an API key from the Claude Developer Platform.
- Sign in to the Claude Developer Platform at console.anthropic.com (Google, email, or SSO).
-
Open API Keys - go to
Settings → API Keys
(or
console.anthropic.com/settings/keys). -
Create a key - click "Create Key", name it (e.g. "OpenClaw"), and copy the key.
It starts with
sk-ant-api03-. You won't see the full key again, so store it somewhere safe. - Add credit so API access is enabled - go to Settings → Billing and add a payment method or prepaid credit. Without this, your key may not be able to make API calls (or may hit free-tier limits). Usage is billed per token.
Get an OpenAI API key
OpenClaw can also use OpenAI models (GPT-4, etc.). You need an API key from the OpenAI Platform.
- Sign in or sign up at platform.openai.com.
-
Open API keys - go to
API Keys
(or
platform.openai.com/api-keys). -
Create a key - click "Create new secret key", name it (e.g. "OpenClaw"), and
copy the key. It usually starts with
sk-. Store it safely; you won't see the full value again. -
Add credit so API access is enabled - go to
Billing
(
platform.openai.com/settings/organization/billing) and add a payment method or credits. Paid API access requires this; otherwise your key may not work or may hit free-tier limits.
Next: Add your API key in OpenClaw.