With BenPay AI API, users can connect AI models supported by the platform to OpenClaw. You only need three core parameters to complete the configuration:
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API Key
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Base URL
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Model ID
This guide uses the macOS version of OpenClaw and the OpenAI-compatible interface as an example to walk through the complete setup process.
2.Before You Start
Before starting the configuration, make sure you have completed the following:
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Installed the OpenClaw CLI;
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Logged in to BenPay and opened the AI API page;
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Created a valid BenPay AI API Key;
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Have available trial credits or account balance;
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Copied the full Model ID you want to use from the Supported Models page.
The full BenPay AI API Key is displayed only once when it is created. Copy it immediately and store it securely.
Do not expose your actual API Key in screenshots, on social media, or in public code repositories.
Example Configuration Used in This Guide
Base URL: https://api.benpay.ai/openai/v1
Model ID: value/gpt-5.6-sol
API Key: Your own BenPay AI API Key
The example Model ID is for demonstration purposes only. For actual use, refer to the Model IDs currently listed on the BenPay AI API Supported Models page.
2.Confirm That the OpenClaw CLI Is Available
Open Terminal on macOS and run:
openclaw --version
If the terminal displays the OpenClaw version number, the CLI is ready to use.
When running in local mode, the OpenClaw macOS application requires the CLI and Gateway to work together.
If You See command not found
You can use the official installation command:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
After installation, close and reopen Terminal, then run:
openclaw --version
3.Start the OpenClaw Classic Setup Wizard
Run the following command in Terminal:
OPENCLAW_LOCALE=zh-CN openclaw onboard --classic
For custom model providers that are not listed directly, OpenClaw recommends configuring them through Custom Provider in the Classic setup wizard.
The wizard allows you to configure:
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Endpoint Compatibility
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Base URL
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API Key
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Model ID
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Optional model alias
After entering the wizard, follow the prompts below.
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Security Confirmation
When the security notice appears, select:
Yes
Press Enter to continue.
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Setup Mode
Select:
QuickStart
QuickStart uses the default local Gateway configuration and is suitable for first-time setup.
4.Add BenPay as a Custom Provider
When you reach the model provider selection screen, do not select:
OpenAI API Key
This option is used to connect to the official OpenAI API and cannot directly use a BenPay API Key.
Scroll down and select:
More...
Then select:
Custom Provider
5.Enter the BenPay API Parameters
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Enter the Base URL
Enter:
https://api.benpay.ai/openai/v1
OpenClaw will automatically use the corresponding request path based on the selected compatibility type.
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Enter the API Key
When OpenClaw asks how you want to save the API Key, first-time users can select:
Paste API key now
Paste the full API Key that you created and saved in BenPay.
The terminal may not display any characters while you enter the API Key. This is normal.
[Image]
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Enter the Model ID
Enter the full Model ID copied from the BenPay Supported Models page, for example:
value/gpt-5.6-sol
Parameter Mapping
| OpenClaw Setting | BenPay Parameter |
| Provider | Custom Provider |
| Compatibility | OpenAI-compatible /chat/completions |
| Base URL | https://api.benpay.ai/openai/v1 |
| API Key | BenPay AI API Key created by the user |
| model | Full Model ID from the Supported Models page |
6.Wait for Model Validation
After all parameters are entered, OpenClaw will send a real request to the model to verify:
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Whether the API Key is valid;
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Whether the Base URL is accessible;
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Whether the Model ID is correct;
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Whether the model can respond normally.
OpenClaw will save and enable the corresponding inference configuration only after the real model request is successfully validated.
After successful validation, the page will display a message similar to:
Validation successful
7.Configure Channels
After the model configuration is complete, OpenClaw will ask whether you want to connect a messaging channel, such as:
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Telegram
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Discord
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Slack
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Feishu
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WhatsApp
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iMessage
If you only plan to use the OpenClaw application, you can select:
Skip for now
Channels are optional and do not affect model calls through BenPay AI API.
You can configure channels separately later using:
openclaw channels add
8.Complete the Setup and Start Using OpenClaw
After completing the setup wizard, reopen the OpenClaw application.
At the top of the page or in the model selection area, you should see a model path similar to:
custom-api-benpay-ai/value/gpt-5.6-sol
The exact Provider prefix may be generated automatically based on the Provider ID entered during setup, but the model path generally follows this format:
provider/model
When OpenClaw detects that the local Gateway is available and a default model has been configured, it will open the normal chat interface directly.
If the model responds normally, BenPay AI API has been successfully connected to OpenClaw.