SETUP GUIDES · AI MODELS
OpenRouter API key
One key that reaches models from many providers, with a credit limit per key.
OpenRouter is a single account that gives access to models from many companies. It is handy if you want to try many models without opening an account with each one.
Words you’ll see
- API key
- A long secret string that lets software use your account, like a password made for programs. Anyone who has it can spend on your account, so treat it like a password.
- Spending limit / budget
- A cap or alert you set at the provider so a mistake or abuse cannot run up an unexpected bill.
- Model
- The specific AI you call (for example a fast, cheap one or a larger, smarter one). Claspine’s AI Gateway lets you choose models and fall back to another if one fails.
Before you start
- An OpenRouter account with some credits.
Steps
- Sign in at openrouter.ai and open Settings → Keys.
- Click Create key, name it “Claspine” and set a credit limit for the key.
- Copy the key. It starts with
sk-or-. - Open the Claspine console, choose your project and go to AI Gateway.
- Under 1. Your AI provider keys, find OpenRouter (click Show all if you don’t see it) and click Add key. (The Secret Vault lists the same keys under AI Models.)
- Paste the values from the steps above and click Save key. Claspine encrypts them straight away and will only ever show the last few characters again.
- Under 2. Your AI route, choose this provider and pick a model, then save. The list comes live from your account, so you only see models you can use.
- Send a test request from your app. The usage appears on your bill at the provider, not on Claspine’s.
What goes where in Claspine
| Console field | Value |
|---|---|
| API KEY | The key you copied (starts with sk-or-). |
Keep it safe
- The credit limit on the key caps what Claspine can spend, even if your account holds more credit.
Claspine stores the values encrypted, never shows them again in full, and never sends them to your app or SDK.