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

Change your AI model, test the new setup, avoid common errors, and pick the right model for coding, agents, browser tasks, and cost control.

## Why Changing the AI Model in OpenClaw Matters

Changing your AI model in OpenClaw can improve output quality, reduce API cost, fix weak tool calling, and make workflows more reliable.

Your AI model controls how OpenClaw responds, reasons, uses tools, and completes workflows. Changing it is not a small settings tweak. It can change the whole behavior of your agent.

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

For example, a model that works well for simple chat may not be good for browser automation, coding, or multi-step agent tasks. Because apparently one "AI model" cannot be magically perfect at everything. Tragic, but useful to know.

## What to Check Before Changing Models

Before you change your AI model in OpenClaw, check the basics first. Many model issues are not actually model issues. They are API key, billing, gateway, or provider setup problems wearing a fake mustache.

| Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| API key | A wrong or expired key can stop the model from responding |
| Billing or credits | Some providers block requests if billing is not active |
| Model name | The model ID must be exact |
| Provider support | Not every provider supports every model |
| Tool calling | Some models are weaker with tools and automation |
| Gateway status | OpenClaw must be running and reachable |
| Workflow dependency | Some workflows behave differently after switching models |

You can also check the gateway before changing anything:

```bash
openclaw gateway status
```

If the gateway is not running or cannot connect, fix that first. Changing models will not solve a stopped gateway. It will just give you a new problem to stare at.

## Change the Model From the OpenClaw Dashboard

The easiest way to change your AI model is from the OpenClaw dashboard or model/provider settings. Follow these steps in order.

### Step 1: Open OpenClaw

Open your OpenClaw dashboard and confirm the gateway is connected.

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

```bash
openclaw gateway status
```

### Step 2: Go to Model or Provider Settings

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.

### Step 3: Select Your Provider

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.

### Step 4: Add or Update Your API Key

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

### Step 5: Choose the Default Model

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

```
provider/model
```

Example:

```
openai/gpt-4o
```

Or:

```
anthropic/claude-opus-4-6
```

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

### Step 6: Save and Restart if Needed

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

```bash
openclaw gateway restart
```

Then check the status again:

```bash
openclaw gateway status
```

## Command-Line Method to Change the Model

If you prefer the terminal, you can change or verify your OpenClaw model using CLI commands.

### List available models

```bash
openclaw models list
```

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

### Check model status

```bash
openclaw models status
```

Use this to confirm model authentication and availability.

### Check current default model

```bash
openclaw config get agents.defaults.model
```

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

### Change the default model

Use `openclaw config set` with the model path:

```bash
openclaw config set agents.defaults.model.primary <provider>/<model-name>
```

Example:

```bash
openclaw config set agents.defaults.model.primary anthropic/claude-opus-4-6
```

Another example:

```bash
openclaw config set agents.defaults.model.primary openai/gpt-4o
```

Prefer a guided flow instead of dot paths? Use:

```bash
openclaw configure
```

After changing the model, restart the gateway if required:

```bash
openclaw gateway restart
```

Then verify:

```bash
openclaw config get agents.defaults.model
```

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.

## How to Test the New Model

Do not switch models and immediately run an important workflow. Test first. This is called "basic survival," though somehow many people skip it.

### 1. Run a simple prompt

Test with something basic:

```
Summarize what this OpenClaw workflow does in 5 bullet points.
```

Check if the model responds correctly.

### 2. Test tool calling

Ask OpenClaw to use a tool or workflow. Example:

```
Check my latest workflow output and summarize the result.
```

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?

### 3. Test a real workflow

Run a workflow you already use, such as:

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

### 4. Check logs

If something breaks, check logs or diagnostics.

```bash
openclaw doctor
```

If OpenClaw offers automatic repair:

```bash
openclaw doctor --fix
```

Look for:

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

### 5. Compare old vs new model

| Test Area | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Speed | Is the new model faster or slower? |
| Cost | Is the API cost higher or lower? |
| Accuracy | Are answers better? |
| Tool use | Does it call tools properly? |
| Workflow completion | Does the task finish correctly? |
| Instruction following | Does it follow your exact request? |

## Best Model Choices for OpenClaw

The best AI model for OpenClaw depends on your workflow. Do not use the most expensive model for every task unless your budget enjoys pain.

| Use Case | Best Model Type |
|---|---|
| Coding workflows | Strong reasoning or coding model |
| Research tasks | Long-context model |
| Simple automation | Smaller, cheaper model |
| Private local tasks | Ollama or local LLM |
| Browser automation | Tool-capable model |
| Production workflows | Reliable cloud model |
| Cost control | Smaller model or model routing |

Local models can be useful, but they may be slower, weaker at tool use, or harder to debug. Your laptop fan may also begin negotiating labor rights.

## Common Problems After Changing Models

Here are the most common OpenClaw model switching problems and how to fix them.

| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Model gives no output | Wrong model name, invalid API key, or provider issue | Check model ID, API key, billing, and logs |
| API key error | Key is missing, expired, or pasted incorrectly | Re-add the API key and restart OpenClaw |
| Unsupported model error | Model is not available in your setup | Use a supported model from the model list |
| Tool calling fails | Model does not handle tools well | Switch to a stronger tool-capable model |
| Replies are slow | Model is too large or local hardware is weak | Use a faster model or cloud provider |
| Cost increases | Premium model used for every task | Use smaller models for simple workflows |
| Rate limit reached | Provider quota is exhausted | Wait, upgrade quota, or switch provider |
| Local model not reachable | Ollama or local server is not running | Start the local model server and check endpoint |
| Workflow behaves differently | New model interprets prompts differently | Update prompts and test again |
| Gateway still uses old model | Settings were not reloaded | Restart the OpenClaw gateway |

## Useful Troubleshooting Commands

Check gateway:

```bash
openclaw gateway status
```

Check model status:

```bash
openclaw models status
```

Run diagnostics:

```bash
openclaw doctor
```

Apply automatic fixes if available:

```bash
openclaw doctor --fix
```

Restart gateway:

```bash
openclaw gateway restart
```

## Faster Option: Run OpenClaw on Ampere.sh

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.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Can I change the AI model in OpenClaw?**
Yes. You can change the AI model in OpenClaw from the model or provider settings, or by using command-line configuration.

**Why should I change my AI model in OpenClaw?**
You should change your model if you need better output quality, faster replies, lower API cost, stronger coding performance, or better tool-calling reliability.

**Will changing the model break my OpenClaw workflows?**
It can. Different models handle prompts, tools, and context differently. Always test important workflows after changing models.

**Which AI model is best for OpenClaw?**
The best model depends on your workflow. Use strong reasoning models for coding and agents, long-context models for documents, smaller models for simple automation, and local models for private testing.

**Why is OpenClaw not responding after changing models?**
Common causes include an invalid API key, wrong model name, unsupported model, billing issue, provider limit, or gateway not reloaded after the change.

**Do I need to restart OpenClaw after changing the model?**
Sometimes. If OpenClaw still uses the old model or shows errors, restart the gateway or service so the new settings load correctly.

**Is Ampere.sh easier for changing OpenClaw models?**
Yes. Ampere.sh helps you run OpenClaw in a managed environment, add model keys or use credits, and avoid manual server, port, gateway, and uptime issues.