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OpenRouter

This section contains essential information and usage guidelines for integrating OpenRouter with BotPenguin.

What is OpenRouter?

OpenRouter is a unified API platform that gives you access to a wide range of AI models from different providers — all through a single integration. By connecting OpenRouter to BotPenguin, you can choose which AI model powers your chatbot, whether that is GPT-4, Claude, Mistral, Llama, or any other model available on the OpenRouter platform.

When Should You Use This?

Use this integration when:

  • You want to power your AI chatbot with a specific AI model of your choice

  • You need flexibility to switch between different large language models (LLMs) without changing your bot setup

  • You are trying to optimise cost or performance by selecting the right model for your use case

Benefits of OpenRouter

  • 🤖 Access a wide selection of AI models through a single API key

  • 🔄 Switch between models without rebuilding your bot

  • 💰 Control costs by choosing models that fit your budget and performance needs

  • ⚡ Reduce vendor dependency with a model-agnostic setup

  • 🎯 Fine-tune chatbot behaviour by selecting the best model for your specific use case

Expected Outcome

After setting this up:

  • Your BotPenguin chatbot will be powered by the AI model you select via OpenRouter

  • You will have the flexibility to change models from one place without reconfiguring your bot

  • AI responses will be generated through OpenRouter's API using the credits in your account

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Tip: Test your chatbot after connecting OpenRouter to confirm the selected model is responding correctly before going live.

🔐 Prerequisites

Before setting up this integration, ensure you have:

  • An active OpenRouter account (openrouter.ai)

  • A generated OpenRouter API key

  • Credits added to your OpenRouter account — a minimum payment of $5 is required for the API key to function

  • Admin access to your BotPenguin account

Your API key will not work without credits added to your OpenRouter account. Complete the billing setup before proceeding.

How to Set Up OpenRouter

Part 1 — Generate Your OpenRouter API Key

  1. Go to openrouter.ai and click "Sign Up" or "Sign In" to access your account.

  1. Once signed in, navigate to the API Keys section. You will see a button to "Create API Key" — click it.

  1. Enter a name for your key and set an expiry duration. Expiry can be set anywhere between 1 hour and 180 days.

  1. Click "Create API Key". Copy the key displayed on the screen immediately — it will not be shown again.

Part 2 — Add Credits to Your OpenRouter Account

⚠️ Your API key will not work until credits are added. This is a mandatory step.

  1. In the left sidebar of OpenRouter, go to "Credits".

  1. Click "Add Credits". If you have not set up a billing account yet, follow the on-screen steps to create one and add your payment card.

  1. OpenRouter requires a minimum payment of $5 to load credits. Complete the payment as prompted.

Part 3 — Connect OpenRouter in BotPenguin

  1. In your BotPenguin Customer Panel, click "More" from the left sidebar, then select "Integrations". Locate "OpenRouter" from the integrations list and click "Connect".

  1. Click "Connect" to begin setting up the integration.

  1. Enter a Configuration Name (this can be any label you choose) and paste the API key you copied in Step 4.

  1. Click "Save" to complete the connection.

⚙️ Configuration Options

Field
Description

Configuration Name

A label to identify this API key setup. Can be any name.

API Key

The API key generated from your OpenRouter account.

🚫 Limitations

  • The API key will not function without active credits in your OpenRouter billing account

  • API key expiry is set at creation time (1 hour to 180 days) and cannot be extended — a new key must be created after expiry

  • Model availability depends on what OpenRouter currently supports; not all models may be available at all times

  • Response quality and speed vary depending on the model selected

Best Practices

💡 Always add sufficient credits before going live — running out mid-conversation will cause the chatbot to stop responding.

⚠️ Set a longer API key expiry (e.g., 90–180 days) for production environments to avoid unexpected disconnections.

🔄 Keep a note of your API key expiry date and rotate keys proactively before they expire.

🎯 Test with a lower-cost model first to validate your setup before switching to premium models.

Troubleshooting

API key is not working after setup

Ensure credits have been added to your OpenRouter billing account. An API key without credits will be rejected by OpenRouter's API.

Integration not connecting in BotPenguin

Double-check that the API key was copied correctly with no extra spaces. Try regenerating the key in OpenRouter and reconnecting.

Chatbot not responding after integration is connected

Verify that the correct model is selected in your bot's AI settings. Also confirm your OpenRouter credits have not been exhausted.

API key expired

Generate a new API key from your OpenRouter account and update the configuration in BotPenguin's Integrations panel.

FAQs

Do I need to add credits to use OpenRouter?

Yes. OpenRouter requires a minimum payment of $5 to activate credits on your account. Without credits, your API key will not function regardless of the integration setup.

How long can I set my API key expiry for?

You can set the expiry anywhere between 1 hour and 180 days at the time of key creation. The expiry cannot be changed after the key is created — you will need to generate a new key.

Can I have multiple OpenRouter configurations in BotPenguin?

Yes. You can add multiple configurations using different API keys. Each configuration can be named separately for easy identification.

What AI models can I access through OpenRouter?

OpenRouter provides access to a wide range of models including GPT-4, Claude, Mistral, Llama, and others. Model availability may vary — check the OpenRouter platform for the current list.

What happens when my OpenRouter credits run out?

Once credits are exhausted, API calls will fail and your chatbot will stop generating AI responses. Top up your OpenRouter billing account to restore functionality.

Can I reconnect OpenRouter if I change my API key?

Yes. Go to More → Integrations → OpenRouter, remove the existing configuration, and add a new one with the updated API key.

Does this integration require any coding?

No. The entire setup is done through BotPenguin's no-code integrations panel and the OpenRouter dashboard.

Support

If you still have questions for our team, write to us at support@botpenguin.com. We'll get back to you within 48 hours.

🎉 Congratulations, you have successfully connected OpenRouter to BotPenguin! Your chatbot is now ready to run on your chosen AI model.

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