Switch AI Models in OpenClaw: Step-by-Step Guide

A better model can help with:

• Better answers
• Faster replies
• Lower API cost
• Stronger coding output
• Better tool calling
• Longer context handling
• More reliable workflows

Open your OpenClaw dashboard and confirm the gateway is connected.

If you are using a local setup, you can check gateway status with:

Find the section for model settings, provider settings, or default AI model. This is where you choose which model OpenClaw should use for responses and workflows.

Choose the provider you want to use. Common options may include:

• OpenAI
• Anthropic Claude
• Gemini
• Ollama
• Other supported model providers

Choose based on your workflow, not hype. Hype does not debug your agent at 2 AM.

Add the correct API key for your selected provider.

Important:

• Do not paste API keys inside prompts
• Do not share API keys in screenshots
• Do not save keys in public files
• Make sure billing or credits are active

Select the model you want OpenClaw to use. Use the format:

Example:

Or:

Use the exact model name from your provider or OpenClaw model list.

After saving the new model, restart the gateway if OpenClaw still uses the old model.

Then check the status again:

Use this to see which models are available in your OpenClaw setup.

Use this to confirm model authentication and availability.

This shows the current default model configuration, for example { "primary": "anthropic/claude-opus-4-6" }.

Use openclaw config set with the model path:

Example:

Another example:

Prefer a guided flow instead of dot paths? Use:

After changing the model, restart the gateway if required:

Then verify:

If the command fails, check the provider name, model name, API key, and billing status. The CLI is not emotional. It will not forgive spelling mistakes. For a beginner-friendly walkthrough, see our OpenClaw change model guide.

Test with something basic:

Check if the model responds correctly.

Ask OpenClaw to use a tool or workflow. Example:

Check:

• Did the model call the tool?
• Did it return the correct result?
• Did it stop halfway?
• Did it hallucinate instead of using the tool?

Run a workflow you already use, such as:

• Research summary
• Coding task
• Browser automation
• Reminder workflow
• File analysis
• Message automation

If something breaks, check logs or diagnostics.

If OpenClaw offers automatic repair:

Look for:

• API key errors
• Rate limit errors
• Timeout errors
• Unsupported model errors
• Gateway connection errors
• Tool-calling failures

If replies come back empty after switching, see our model not responding fix guide.

Skip the model config chore?

Ampere.sh runs OpenClaw with model routing already handled. Swap models without touching gateways, ports, or env files. Free trial included.

Check gateway:

Check model status:

Run diagnostics:

Apply automatic fixes if available:

Restart gateway:

Changing models manually can become annoying when you are dealing with API keys, gateways, server setup, ports, restarts, local runtimes, and uptime.

Ampere.sh gives you a faster way to run OpenClaw in a managed environment.

With Ampere.sh, you can:

• Deploy OpenClaw quickly
• Add model API keys or use credits
• Switch models without manual server setup
• Avoid VPS and Docker headaches
• Reduce gateway and uptime issues
• Keep workflows running more reliably
• Focus on agents instead of infrastructure

If your goal is to use OpenClaw, not babysit server errors, Ampere.sh is the easier path.