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OpenRouter API

One OpenAI-compatible API for many model providers, paid from prepaid credits.

Researched · not yet run liveLast researched 25 October 2026 · OpenRouter · provider site

Researched, not yet run live. Built from the provider’s official pages (linked below). A person hasn’t walked this flow end to end yet, so check each step against the source.
Do this with verapliJSON for agents

Have ready

  • Card for buying credits · Paid models draw on prepaid credits; buying at least 10 credits also raises free-model limits to 1,000 requests/day. [4]Needed for: Buy credits

Steps

Steps marked “human step” are ones only you can do: verapli never signs in, submits, pays or accepts terms for you.

  1. Sign in or create a OpenRouter account

    Sign in to OpenRouter. If you have no account yet, you create it yourself; verapli does not create accounts.

    • Guided by hand
    • Human step: You sign in

    Where: https://openrouter.ai/

  2. Buy credits

    On the Credits page add credits manually or set up auto top-up. Paid models need a positive balance.

    • Guided by hand
    • Human step: You add payment details
    • After: Sign in or create a OpenRouter account
    If something goes wrong (1)
    • HTTP 402 with limit_source openrouter_credits: Your balance can't cover the request; add credits to bring the balance above zero. [4]

    Where: https://openrouter.ai/settings/credits

  3. Create an API key

    Create an API key in your OpenRouter account settings and store it as OPENROUTER_API_KEY. Or run stripe projects add openrouter/api to provision it through Stripe Projects.

    • Guided by hand
    • Human step: You press submit
    • After: Sign in or create a OpenRouter account

    verapli captures OPENROUTER_API_KEY here by plain code: encrypted in your browser, never shown to AI.

Terms and gotchas

Plain-English summary, not legal advice. Each card links its source.

Can cost moneyThe rules say

Model terms and restrictions

You must follow each model's own terms. Reselling API access, building a competing service, red teaming without written approval and using VPNs to reach restricted models are prohibited. Users must be 18+. [6]

Worth knowingThe rules say

Credits are largely non-refundable

Refunds of unused credits only within 24 hours of purchase; OpenRouter may expire unused credits 365 days after purchase. [6]

What you end up with

Env varSecretFormatWhat it is
OPENROUTER_API_KEYsecretOpenRouter API key (Bearer token for https://openrouter.ai/api/v1)

Pricing

  • Free tier: Free (":free") models, 50 requests/day (1,000/day after buying at least 10 credits), 20/minute.
  • Costs: Pay-as-you-go from prepaid credits; no markup on provider inference prices, a fee on credit purchases.

Source [4]

For agents

The same entry as JSON: /api/v1/entries/openrouter/api · requirements /api/v1/requirements/openrouter/api · terms /api/v1/terms/openrouter/api.

Remote MCP (read-only, no auth)
claude mcp add --transport http verapli https://verapli.com/mcp

> "What do I need for OpenRouter API, and how long will it take?"
  → tools/call requirements { "provider_id": "openrouter/api" }

Sources

  1. Stripe Projects CLI (Available providers) OpenRouter is listed as a Stripe Projects provider (AI) · accessed 25 October 2026 · official
  2. projects.dev provider catalogue Catalogue service id openrouter/api · accessed 25 October 2026 · official
  3. OpenRouter docs - Quickstart OPENROUTER_API_KEY env var; base URL https://openrouter.ai/api/v1; EU base URL for Business/Enterprise · accessed 25 October 2026 · official
  4. OpenRouter docs - Limits Free models 50 requests/day with under 10 credits purchased, 1,000/day with at least 10; 20/minute; negative balance causes errors including on free models; 402 limit_source openrouter_credits · accessed 25 October 2026 · official
  5. OpenRouter FAQ Credits are deposits added on the Credits page (openrouter.ai/settings/credits), manual or auto top-up; a fee applies to credit purchases; no markup on inference pricing · accessed 25 October 2026 · official
  6. OpenRouter Terms of Service Must comply with each model's terms; no reselling API access, no red teaming without approval, no VPN access to restricted models; 18+; refunds only within 24 hours; unused credits may expire after 365 days · accessed 25 October 2026 · official

Provider rules change. This page is generated from verapli registry version 2026.1025.387; spotted something out of date? Tell us. OpenRouter is not affiliated with verapli.