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How to Get an OpenRouter API Key

This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining an API key from OpenRouter to use with Reformation AI. With an OpenRouter API key, you can access a variety of models from different providers through a single API.

What is OpenRouter?

OpenRouter is a service that provides a unified API for accessing various AI models from different providers. It allows you to use models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and other providers through a single API key. This can simplify your workflow and provide access to models that might otherwise be difficult to access.

Step 1: Create an OpenRouter Account

To get started with OpenRouter, you'll need to create an account:

  1. Visit the OpenRouter website
  2. Click on "Sign Up" or "Get Started"
  3. You can sign up using your email, Google account, or GitHub account
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the registration process

Step 2: Add Credits to Your Account

OpenRouter operates on a credit system. You'll need to add credits to your account to use the API:

  1. Log in to your OpenRouter account
  2. Navigate to the Billing section
  3. Click on "Add Credits"
  4. Select the amount of credits you want to add
  5. Complete the payment process using a credit card or other supported payment method

OpenRouter charges based on the models you use. Different models have different pricing. Make sure to check the pricing for the specific models you plan to use.

Step 3: Generate an API Key

Once your account is set up and you've added credits, you can generate an API key:

  1. In your OpenRouter dashboard, navigate to the API Keys section
  2. Click on "Create API Key"
  3. Give your key a descriptive name (e.g., "Reformation AI")
  4. Set any permissions or restrictions if needed
  5. Click "Create"
  6. Copy your API key immediately and store it securely

Important: Your API key is sensitive information. Never share it publicly or commit it to version control. OpenRouter will only show your key once when you create it, so make sure to copy it immediately.

Step 4: Add Your API Key to Reformation AI

Now that you have your OpenRouter API key, you can add it to Reformation AI:

  1. Log in to your Reformation AI account
  2. Navigate to the Settings page
  3. Find the "API Keys" section
  4. Click on "Add OpenRouter API Key"
  5. Paste your API key into the field
  6. Click "Save"

Once your API key is added, you'll be able to select and use models available through OpenRouter in the chat interface.

Available Models on OpenRouter

OpenRouter provides access to a wide range of models from different providers. Some of the popular models include:

OpenAI Models

  • GPT-4o
  • GPT-4.1
  • GPT-4o Mini

Anthropic Models

  • Claude Opus 4
  • Claude Sonnet 4
  • Claude Haiku 3.5

Google Models

  • Gemini 2.5 Pro
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash

Other Models

  • Llama 4
  • Deepseek
  • And many more...

For a complete list of available models and their pricing, visit the OpenRouter Models page .

Troubleshooting

API Key Not Working

  • Ensure you've copied the entire API key correctly
  • Check that you have sufficient credits in your OpenRouter account
  • Verify that the models you're trying to use are available through OpenRouter
  • Try generating a new API key if the issue persists

Rate Limit Errors

  • OpenRouter imposes rate limits on API requests
  • If you're encountering rate limit errors, try spacing out your requests
  • Consider adding more credits to your account for higher rate limits

Next Steps

Now that you have your OpenRouter API key set up, you can:

• Learn how to use the chat interface• Compare different AI models• Start chatting with models available through OpenRouter