How to connect Claude to OpenClaw

Configure OpenClaw to use Claude models through Claude API Tech. The API key is stored as an environment value, while the provider and models live in one configuration file.

What is OpenClaw

OpenClaw is an open-source personal AI assistant and self-hosted gateway. It connects AI agents to Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, and other channels from your own computer or server.

Before you start

You need Node.js, terminal access, and a Claude API Tech API key. Create a key in your dashboard if you do not have one yet. Get an API key →

1. Install OpenClaw

Download OpenClaw from the official website or run the official installer on macOS and Linux:

Terminal

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Official OpenClaw website ↗OpenClaw documentation ↗

2. Open the configuration

The main config is stored at ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json. Create the directory and file if they do not exist:

Terminal

mkdir -p ~/.openclaw && $EDITOR ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

If the file already contains channel, agent, or gateway settings, do not replace them wholesale. Merge the sections below into the existing configuration.

3. Add Claude API Tech

Paste the configuration and replace sk-cs2-YOUR_API_KEY with a key from your dashboard. Claude Sonnet 5 is the primary model; Fable 5 and Opus 4.8 remain available for selection.

~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

{
  "env": {
    "LLM_GATE_API_KEY": "sk-cs2-YOUR_API_KEY"
  },
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "llmgate/claude-sonnet-5"
      },
      "models": {
        "llmgate/claude-fable-5": {},
        "llmgate/claude-sonnet-5": {},
        "llmgate/claude-opus-4-8": {}
      }
    }
  },
  "models": {
    "mode": "merge",
    "providers": {
      "llmgate": {
        "baseUrl": "https://api.llm-gate.tech",
        "apiKey": "${LLM_GATE_API_KEY}",
        "api": "anthropic-messages",
        "models": [
          {
            "id": "claude-fable-5",
            "name": "Claude Fable 5",
            "reasoning": true,
            "input": ["text", "image"],
            "contextWindow": 1000000,
            "maxTokens": 64000
          },
          {
            "id": "claude-sonnet-5",
            "name": "Claude Sonnet 5",
            "reasoning": true,
            "input": ["text", "image"],
            "contextWindow": 1000000,
            "maxTokens": 64000
          },
          {
            "id": "claude-opus-4-8",
            "name": "Claude Opus 4.8",
            "reasoning": true,
            "input": ["text", "image"],
            "contextWindow": 200000,
            "maxTokens": 64000
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

API key security

Do not publish openclaw.json with a real key or commit it to Git. This configuration exposes the key to OpenClaw through the LLM_GATE_API_KEY environment value.

What this configuration adds

Anthropic Messages API through https://api.llm-gate.tech
Claude Sonnet 5 as the primary model
Text and image input
Fable 5, Sonnet 5, and Opus 4.8 in the model list

4. Check the gateway

Save the config and confirm that the OpenClaw gateway is running and responding:

Terminal

openclaw gateway status

5. Check the model list

The output should include llmgate/claude-fable-5, llmgate/claude-sonnet-5, and llmgate/claude-opus-4-8:

Terminal

openclaw models list

6. You are ready

OpenClaw is configured. New sessions use Claude Sonnet 5 by default, and you can select another configured model in OpenClaw when needed.

If a model does not appear

Validate the JSON, check the exact LLM_GATE_API_KEY name, and remove any curly quotation marks. Restart the gateway, then run both verification commands again. openclaw gateway status

You need Node.js, terminal access, and a Claude API Tech API key. Create a key in your dashboard if you do not have one yet.

Get an API key →

← OpenCode Cline