Connect Claude API With OpenClaw

Learn how to connect Claude API with OpenClaw, choose the right Claude model, and run useful AI workflows.

What Is Claude API With OpenClaw?

Claude API with OpenClaw means using Claude as the AI model inside your OpenClaw setup. Claude handles the thinking and response generation, while OpenClaw connects Claude to tools, chat channels, files, memory, and workflows.

Here is how it works:

Claude creates the response

Claude reads your prompt, understands the task, and gives an answer.

Your Anthropic API key connects Claude

The API key allows OpenClaw to use Claude from your Anthropic account. It also tracks API usage for billing.

OpenClaw connects Claude to tools and workflows

OpenClaw can connect Claude with apps, files, browser actions, skills, memory, and automation workflows.

You can use Claude from different channels

Depending on your OpenClaw setup, you can use Claude through channels like Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, or the OpenClaw dashboard.

Why Use Claude API With OpenClaw?

Using Claude API with OpenClaw gives you a stronger AI setup than a normal chat window. Claude provides the AI model for reasoning, writing, summarizing, coding, and analysis. OpenClaw adds the agent layer that connects Claude to tools, chat apps, memory, files, and workflows.

Here is why this setup is useful:

Better for complex workflows:

Claude is strong at reasoning, coding, planning, and understanding detailed instructions.

Strong writing and summarization:

Claude works well for writing drafts, summarizing long content, improving text, and turning messy information into clear output.

Useful for research, coding, planning, and support:

You can use Claude with OpenClaw to create research briefs, review code, plan tasks, draft support replies, or organize work across tools.

Good for long documents and structured tasks:

Claude supports long-context workflows, which helps when working with large documents, detailed notes, files, or multi-step instructions.

How to Get Your Claude API Key

To use Claude API with OpenClaw, you need an API key from Anthropic. This key lets OpenClaw connect to Claude through your Anthropic account and track API usage for billing.

Follow these steps:

Go to the Claude Console

Open the Claude Console and sign in with your Anthropic account. This is where you manage Claude API access, billing, usage, and API keys.

Add Billing or API Credits

Claude API uses usage-based billing. Go to Settings → Billing and add a payment method or purchase the required API credits shown in your account.

Open API Key Settings

Go to Settings → API Keys

This is where you can create and manage API keys for your Anthropic account.

Create a New API Key

Click Create key and give it a clear name, such as openclaw-agent or openclaw-test.

Copy and Save the Key Safely

Copy the API key when it is shown and store it somewhere secure, such as a password manager or secret manager.

How to Use Claude API With OpenClaw ?

For self-hosted OpenClaw, connect your Claude API key to OpenClaw, choose Claude as the model, and test the setup.

Get Your Claude API Key

Create an API key from the Claude Console. This key allows OpenClaw to access Claude through your Anthropic account.

Run OpenClaw Onboarding

Open your terminal and run:

openclaw onboard

During setup, choose: Anthropic API key

Add Your API Key

When OpenClaw asks for your Anthropic API key, paste the key you created.

You can also pass the key directly:

openclaw onboard --anthropic-api-key "$ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"

Verify Claude Models

Check if OpenClaw can access Claude models:

openclaw models list --provider anthropic

Set Claude as the Default Model

Use the anthropic/ model format in your OpenClaw config.

Example:

{
  "env": {
    "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "sk-ant-..."
  },
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4"
      }
    }
  }
}

For most users, Claude Sonnet is the best default. Use Opus for complex work and Haiku for simple, fast tasks.

Test the Setup

Send a simple test prompt through OpenClaw:

Summarize this text in 5 bullet points.

Connect Tools and Channels

After Claude is working, connect the tools or channels you want to use, such as:

Telegram
Discord
Slack
WhatsApp
Gmail
Google Calendar
Files
Browser actions

Easiest Way to Use Claude API With OpenClaw

The easiest way to use Claude API with OpenClaw is to run OpenClaw on Ampere.sh. It handles hosting, server setup, Docker, ports, SSL, logs, and updates, so you can focus on connecting Claude and building workflows.

How It Works

Create an account

Deploy your OpenClaw agent

Create and deploy your OpenClaw agent. Ampere manages the hosting environment, so you do not need to set up a VPS, Docker, or server manually.

Add Your Claude API Key

Go to: Settings → Providers → Anthropic (Claude) → Connect Paste your Claude API key and save the connection.

Connect your tools and channels

Add the apps or channels you want to use, such as Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Gmail, Google Calendar, files, or browser actions.

Test one simple workflow

Start with a safe task like summarizing text, drafting an email, creating tasks from notes, or reviewing

Best Claude Model for OpenClaw

Claude Model	Best For	Use in OpenClaw
Claude Opus	Deep reasoning, coding, research, complex workflows	Use for high-value tasks that need the strongest output
Claude Sonnet	Daily assistant, writing, email, research, support	Best default model for most OpenClaw workflows
Claude Haiku	Fast replies, simple chat, classification, low-cost tasks	Best for high-volume or simple tasks

Best Workflows to Build With Claude API and OpenClaw

1. Email Summary Workflow

Use this workflow to quickly understand long emails.

Example:

Read selected emails
Summarize the main points
Highlight urgent messages
Draft a reply for review

Best for: inbox cleanup, client emails, support replies, and follow-ups.

2. Meeting Notes Workflow

Use this workflow to turn meeting notes into useful action items.

Example:

Add meeting notes or a transcript
Extract key points
List decisions
Create follow-up tasks

Best for: team meetings, client calls, project updates, and daily standups.

3. Research Workflow

Use this workflow to collect and organize information.

Example:

Research a topic
Summarize useful information
Create a short brief
Save notes for later use

Best for: blog research, competitor research, product planning, and market research.

4. Content Writing Workflow

Use this workflow to create and improve content.

Example:

Create a blog outline
Draft sections
Rewrite text
Generate summaries or social posts

Best for: blogs, newsletters, product pages, documentation, and marketing content.

5. File Review Workflow

Use this workflow to review documents and files faster.

Example:

Upload a file
Summarize the content
Extract important points
List risks, questions, or next steps

Best for: PDFs, reports, notes, proposals, and internal documents.

6. Coding Help Workflow

Use this workflow for development tasks.

Example:

Explain an error
Review a code snippet
Suggest a fix
Create an implementation plan

Best for: debugging, code review, refactoring, and feature planning.

7. Customer Support Workflow

Use this workflow to prepare support responses.

Example:

Read a customer question
Find the main issue
Draft a clear answer
Ask for review before sending

Best for: SaaS support, product questions, onboarding help, and FAQ replies.

8. Daily Planning Workflow

Use this workflow to organize your day.

Example:

Review tasks, notes, or calendar items
Create a priority list
Suggest next actions
Send a short daily plan

Best for: founders, freelancers, managers, and busy teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Claude API with OpenClaw?

Yes. Add your Anthropic API key in OpenClaw and choose Claude as your model.

How do I add Claude API key to OpenClaw?

Run openclaw onboard, choose Anthropic API key, and paste your Claude API key.

Which Claude model is best for OpenClaw?

Claude Sonnet is the best default. Use Opus for complex work and Haiku for simple, fast tasks.

How do I check if Claude is connected to OpenClaw?

Run openclaw models list --provider anthropic. If Claude models appear, the connection is working.

Can OpenClaw use Claude for email and research?

Yes. You can use it for email summaries, drafts, research briefs, meeting notes, file review, and writing workflows.

Can I use Claude API with OpenClaw without self-hosting?

Yes, You can also use a managed hosting option like Ampere.sh if you want to avoid server setup, Docker, ports, SSL, logs, and updates.

Also Read

Comparison

OpenClaw vs Claude: Which AI Assistant Is Better?

Guide

Best Claude Alternatives for AI Agents

Use Case

OpenClaw for Developers: AI Assistant for Developer Workflows

Written by

Emma Thompson

AI Research Writer

Emma is an AI researcher and technical writer with a PhD in Machine Learning from Stanford. She specializes in large language model evaluation, comparing model capabilities, and explaining complex AI concepts. Her research has been published in NeurIPS and ICML. She makes cutting-edge AI research accessible through clear, practical guides.

Easiest Way to Run OpenClaw With Claude API

Want to use Claude API with OpenClaw without managing servers? Ampere.sh gives you a simpler way to run OpenClaw, connect your Claude API key, and start building AI workflows faster.

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