> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.laozhang.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# OpenClaw Local AI Gateway Configuration Guide for LaoZhang API

> Complete guide to configure OpenClaw with LaoZhang API. Connect 200+ AI models via Custom Provider with OpenAI-compatible endpoint, including GPT-5.5, Claude Opus 4.7, Gemini 3.1 and more.

## What is OpenClaw

OpenClaw is an open-source local AI gateway tool that runs in the terminal, supporting unified access to multiple AI model providers. It has built-in support for mainstream providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, and also supports connecting any OpenAI or Anthropic compatible third-party endpoint via **Custom Provider**.

By configuring LaoZhang API as a Custom Provider, you can access 200+ AI models in OpenClaw, including GPT-5.5, Claude Opus 4.7, Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview, and more.

## Prerequisites

* OpenClaw installed (refer to [OpenClaw official documentation](https://github.com/openclaw-ai/openclaw))
* LaoZhang API account with an API key (visit [LaoZhang API Token Management](https://api2.laozhang.ai/token) to create a new token — select pay-per-use billing, default group, and keep all other settings as default)

## Configuration Steps

### Step 1: Select Custom Provider

After launching the OpenClaw configuration wizard, scroll to the bottom of the **Model/auth provider** list and select **Custom Provider (Any OpenAI or Anthropic compatible endpoint)**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=72c75ee728ab629589557a591e307262" alt="Select Custom Provider as model provider in OpenClaw" width="1268" height="1058" data-path="images/openclaw-step-1.png" />

<Info>
  Custom Provider supports any endpoint compatible with OpenAI or Anthropic interfaces. LaoZhang API is fully compatible with the OpenAI API format.
</Info>

### Step 2: Enter API Base URL

In the **API Base URL** field, enter the LaoZhang API endpoint:

```
http://api2.laozhang.ai/v1
```

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=245edc806d2d8cde6f4b2085a12b4d97" alt="Enter LaoZhang API Base URL in OpenClaw" width="750" height="658" data-path="images/openclaw-step-2.png" />

<Tip>
  You can also use `https://api2.laozhang.ai/v1`. HTTPS is recommended for better security.
</Tip>

### Step 3: Choose API Key Method

When asked how to provide the API key, select **Paste API key now** to store the key directly in OpenClaw config.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=26261f47e01876426c5678ac66e3c71e" alt="Choose to paste API key directly in OpenClaw" width="1086" height="780" data-path="images/openclaw-step-3.png" />

### Step 4: Enter API Key

Paste your API key from the LaoZhang API console in the **API Key** field (a string starting with `sk-`).

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=13c6db63495bbc18d6a6365fdf9eafe6" alt="Enter LaoZhang API key in OpenClaw" width="818" height="956" data-path="images/openclaw-step-4.png" />

<Info>
  API keys can be created at [LaoZhang API Token Management](https://api2.laozhang.ai/token). When creating a new token, select pay-per-use billing, default group, and keep all other settings as default.
</Info>

### Step 5: Select Endpoint Compatibility

Under **Endpoint compatibility**, select **OpenAI-compatible (Uses /chat/completions)**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=42cc55719b9c17b81814eccab14872cf" alt="Select OpenAI-compatible endpoint mode in OpenClaw" width="1042" height="1134" data-path="images/openclaw-step-5.png" />

LaoZhang API is fully compatible with OpenAI's `/chat/completions` endpoint. Select this option to proceed.

### Step 6: Set Model ID

Enter the model name you want to use in the **Model ID** field.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=25b1ee756a501daed061da6110bb9ccc" alt="Set AI model ID in OpenClaw" width="1042" height="1128" data-path="images/openclaw-step-6.png" />

### Step 7: Verify and Complete

OpenClaw will automatically verify the configuration. Once verification succeeds, the system generates an **Endpoint ID** (e.g., `custom-api-laozhang-ai`) and the setup is complete.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/REhLpZiLbLVkByML/images/openclaw-step-7.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=REhLpZiLbLVkByML&q=85&s=16ec52c6daba5ac8b0209ef4a214cd0e" alt="OpenClaw verification successful with generated Endpoint ID" width="1172" height="1560" data-path="images/openclaw-step-7.png" />

<Info>
  Verification may return an error on the first attempt. Simply retry and it should succeed. If verification keeps failing, select **Change model** and try a different Model ID.
</Info>

## Recommended Models

Through LaoZhang API, you can use the following popular models in OpenClaw:

| Model Series               | Model ID                 | Highlights                                      |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **GPT-5.5**                | `gpt-5.5`                | OpenAI's latest flagship model                  |
| **Claude Opus 4.7**        | `claude-opus-4-7`        | Anthropic's most capable reasoning model        |
| **Claude Sonnet 4.6**      | `claude-sonnet-4-6`      | Balanced performance and cost                   |
| **Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview** | `gemini-3.1-pro-preview` | Google's latest Pro preview model               |
| **Gemini 3 Flash Preview** | `gemini-3-flash-preview` | Fast response with strong multimodal capability |
| **GPT-4.1 Mini**           | `gpt-4.1-mini`           | Classic, stable, and fast                       |

<Tip>
  **Model Selection Tips**

  * Complex coding tasks: Use `claude-opus-4-7` or `gpt-5.5`
  * Daily conversation: Use `gpt-5.5` or `gpt-4.1-mini`
  * Multimodal tasks: Use `gemini-3.1-pro-preview`
  * Best value: Use `claude-sonnet-4-6`
</Tip>

## Configuration Summary

After completing setup, your OpenClaw key parameters are:

| Setting                | Value                        |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Provider               | Custom Provider              |
| API Base URL           | `http://api2.laozhang.ai/v1` |
| Endpoint Compatibility | OpenAI-compatible            |
| Endpoint ID            | `custom-api-laozhang-ai`     |

## Troubleshooting

### Verification Returns Error

Verification may return an error on the first attempt. Simply retry and it usually succeeds.

### Connection Timeout

* Check your network connection
* Verify the API Base URL is entered correctly
* Try using `https://api2.laozhang.ai/v1`

### Model Call Failures

* Confirm your account has sufficient balance
* Check that the Model ID is spelled correctly
* Review call logs on the [LaoZhang API Log page](https://api2.laozhang.ai/log) for troubleshooting

Need more help? Visit [LaoZhang API Official Website](https://api2.laozhang.ai).