How to get an OpenRouter API key one key for Qwen, Kimi, GLM, Mistral, Llama and more
About eight minutes. Make an OpenRouter account, buy $5 of prepaid credit, and make a key that never expires. One key opens all eight labs in PolyCog's Wildcard seat, and $5 runs thousands of everyday answers on its default model. You pay OpenRouter at the prices it lists, plus its card fee. PolyCog adds nothing.
The short version: openrouter.ai, Sign Up (GitHub, Google, MetaMask, or email + a sign-up link), keep Individual, skip the welcome screens' Default key (it expires in six months), add a billing address and card, type 5 in Other amount ($0.80 fee + any sales tax), then API Keys › + New Key: Name PolyCog, Expiration No expiration, Credit limit No limit. Copy the sk-or-v1- key (shown once), paste, test on the Wildcard. Auto top-up stays off unless you turn it on.
Never made an API key? Stay here. Every click is spelled out.Condensed steps, direct links, scopes and tier details.
What you need
An email address, or a GitHub, Google or MetaMask account
A card and a billing address; $5 of credit costs $5.80 plus any sales tax
A free PolyCog account to save the key in
About eight minutes
Skip the key OpenRouter makes for you
The welcome screens make a Default key with a $100 credit limit that expires six months after you sign up. After that date the Wildcard seat stops working until you paste a new key. Step 3 makes a PolyCog key that never expires instead. Also: OpenRouter adds a $0.80 card fee (and sales tax where it applies) to every purchase.
The steps
Tick each circle as you finish a step. Your ticks stay in this browser, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.
Make an OpenRouter account
2 min
Go to openrouter.ai and choose Sign Up (top right). The quickest way in is one of the three buttons at the top: GitHub, Google or MetaMask. To use an email address instead, type it and a password (your name is optional), tick I agree to the Terms of Service… and choose Continue. OpenRouter emails you a sign-up link: open it within 10 minutes and choose Sign up to OpenRouter. On Welcome to OpenRouter, keep Individual and choose Next.
First name, Last name
optional
Email address, Password
yours, then tick the terms box (or GitHub, Google or MetaMask)
Verify your email
the button in "Your sign up link" (it works for 10 minutes)
How will you be using OpenRouter?
Individual (already picked)
Illustrationopenrouter.ai (simplified)
openrouter⌕Sign Up ☰The Unified Interface For Every ModelBetter prices, better uptime, no subscriptions.Get API KeyDiscover Models
openrouter⌕Sign Up ☰Sign UpGitHubGMetaMaskorFirst nameOptionalFirst nameLast nameOptionalLast nameEmail addressEnter your email addressPasswordCreate a password◉✓ Your password meets all the necessary requirements.✓I agree to the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Model Terms.ContinueAlready have an account? Sign in
openrouter⌕Sign Up ☰Verify your emailUse the verification link sent to your email address[email protected] ✎Didn't receive a link? Resend (59)
Welcome to OpenRouterThe unified API for every AI model. Build with the best, switch anytime.Unified accessGPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, and hundreds more.Smart routingAutomatic fallbacks and load balancing.Pay as you goNo subscriptions.How will you be using OpenRouter?You can change this later.IndividualBuild side projects, explore modelsOrganizationCollaborate with your teamNext
InboxUpdatesYour sign up linkOpenRouter <[email protected]> · "This link will expire in 10 minutes."Sign up to OpenRouter
1/7Choose Sign Up (top right)
The email comes from OpenRouter <[email protected]> with the subject "Your sign up link". It's a button, not a code, and it works for 10 minutes. In our test it reached the inbox; if yours doesn't come, check Spam, or choose Resend once the 60-second countdown ends.
Continue works once the password check turns green and the terms box is ticked.
MetaMask is a crypto wallet. You don't need one.
Individual is right for PolyCog. Organization is for teams that share credit, and you can change it later.
openrouter.ai › Sign Up (/sign-up): GitHub, Google, MetaMask, or email: first and last name (optional), email, password, the terms box › "Verify your email": a link from [email protected], valid 10 minutes, resend after 60 s › a five-screen welcome flow at /workspaces/default/keys: Individual / Organization › a starter key › Add a payment method › How much would you like to add? › Where did you first hear… › You're all set. Every account starts with a Default Workspace (keys, guardrails, BYOK, routing, presets); credit belongs to the account ("Personal").
The welcome screens go on to Your workspace is ready, which shows a key made for you. You don't need it: step 3 makes a better one. Choose Continue. On Add a payment method, fill in your name and billing address, then your card, and choose Save payment method (nothing is charged yet). On the next screen $10 is picked: type 5 in Other amount instead. Check Total due: OpenRouter adds a $0.80 fee and any sales tax. Choose Add credits. Answer Where did you first hear about OpenRouter? (any answer), then Go to Dashboard.
Illustrationopenrouter.ai › the welcome screens (simplified)
✓ Your workspace is readyA workspace keeps your API keys, usage tracking, and billing in one place. We've created your first one with an API key so you can start making requests right away.Your API Keysk-or-v1-EXA••••••••••••••••••••1a2b⧉This is the only time your full key will be shown. You can always generate a new one later.To limit the damage if this key leaks, it has a $100 credit limit and expires on Mar 27, 2027. Once it has used that much, requests are rejected until you raise the limit on your Keys page. To change the expiration, create a new key.← BackContinue
Add a payment methodSet up your payment method, no charge yet.Full nameCountry or regionUnited States ⌄Address line 1Card1234 1234 1234 1234MM / YY · CVCA billing address is required to verify your identity and help prevent fraud.Complete address details to continue← BackI'll do this later
How much would you like to add?$10$25$50$ Other amountAdd credits to get startedChoose how much to add to your account.Credits$10Service fees$0.80Sales Tax / VAT$1.00Total due$11.80← BackI'll do this laterAdd credits
Where did you first hear about OpenRouter?This helps us understand how people find us.X / TwitterYouTubeFriend / ColleagueGoogleOther / Not sure← BackContinue
✓ You're all set!Your workspace is configured and ready to go. Head to the dashboard to manage your keys and usage, or check out the docs to start building.Go to DashboardRead the Docs
1/7A key is made for you. Step 3 makes a better one
$5 of credit costs $5.80 plus sales tax where it applies: in our US test it came to $6.34. The fee is a flat $0.80 up to about $14.50, so small purchases pay the most for it, proportionally. PolyCog gets none of it.
There's no free credit. Until you buy some, every request fails with "Insufficient credits".
A billing address is required, even to save the card.
Auto Top-Up is off, and stays off unless you turn it on. Switched on, it buys $50 whenever your balance drops below $5, without asking.
Later, Credits is in the ☰ menu under Account (and in the Personal menu, top right). The purchase has a Refund button there for 24 hours (the fee isn't refunded).
Chose "I'll do this later"? Buy it on the Credits page
Open Credits (the ☰ menu › Account › Credits) and choose Add Credits. In Purchase Credits, change the Amount from 10 to 5, add your card and billing address, check Total due and choose Purchase. A message says the payment is processing; reload the page and the balance shows $5.00. Leave Auto Top-Up alone.
☰openrouter⌕Personal ⌄Credits↻Personal Account: [email protected]TOTAL AVAILABLE$0.00Pay-as-you-go balanceBuy CreditsUse crypto Add CreditsView Usage ↗Redeem Promo CodeAuto Top-Up⚙ EnableAutomatically purchase credits when your balance is below a certain threshold. You can select multiple payment methods that will be tried in order if payment fails.Recent TransactionsDateAmountActionsNo resultsSep 27, 2026, 7:34 AM$5.00Receipt · Refund · Get invoice
✕Purchase CreditsVISA • (4242) ✓ 12/2030＋Amount10Billing address ⌄Edit Tax ID ⌄Send me invoices Service fees$0.80Sales Tax / VAT$1.00Total due$11.80PurchaseUse one-time payment methods
openrouter.aiYour payment is processing. Credits will be added to your account when it completes. Please check back shortly (or try reloading the page).OK
1/6The Credits page starts at $0.00
Welcome flow › Add a payment method: full name, country, address line 1 ("A billing address is required"), then the card (Stripe; a Link-saved card shows as one row with Confirm) › Save payment method ("You may enable invoices after saving") › How much would you like to add? $10 pre-picked / $25 / $50 / Other amount ($5 accepted), with Credits, Service fees, Sales Tax / VAT, Total due › Add credits. "I'll do this later" on both screens.
☰ › Credits (/settings/credits): TOTAL AVAILABLE › Buy Credits (Use crypto switch) › Add Credits › Purchase Credits: saved card, Amount (pre-filled 10), Billing address, Tax ID, Send me invoices, Use one-time payment methods › Purchase. Card fee 5.5%, $0.80 minimum; crypto 5%. Sales tax is charged on credit + fee where it applies ($0.54 on $5.80 in our US test).
Auto Top-Up: off. Enable › up to 3 payment methods, tried in order › When credits are below 5 › Purchase this amount 50 › Save. Charges the saved card without asking.
Refund: unused credit within 24 hours, from the purchase's Refund button; the fee isn't refunded, crypto never is. OpenRouter's terms let it expire credit 365 days after purchase.
On the Dashboard (Default Workspace), choose API Keys (it's also in the ☰ menu), then + New Key. Type PolyCog as the Name. Both lists below it start empty and must be filled: set Expiration to No expiration (the last choice), and Credit limit to No limit: your balance is already the limit. Choose Create. OpenRouter shows the key once: choose the copy button before you close the box.
☰openrouter⌕Personal ⌄Default WorkspaceWe created this workspace for you with all your existing API keys, routing rules, privacy settings, guardrails, and configurations.API KeysCreate and manage API keys in this workspace.GuardrailsSet budgets, model/provider restrictions, privacy, and content policies.BYOKUse your own provider API keys on OpenRouter.RoutingSet routing policies for models and providers.PresetsSave shortcuts for system prompts and request parameters.SettingsEdit the workspace name and description.
☰openrouter⌕Personal ⌄API Keys＋ New KeyCreate and manage your API keys.KeyGuardrailsExpiresKey limitPolyCogsk-or-v1-f0e…No guardrailsNeverNo limit⋮Default keysk-or-v1-EXA…No guardrailsMar 27, 2027$100 TOTAL⋮
✕Name *Expiration *Select expiration⌄1 hour1 day7 days30 days90 days180 days1 yearNo expirationChoose an expiration, or select No expiration.Key limitCredit limit *Choose a credit limit⌄$50$250$1,000Custom amountNo limitReset limit every…N/A ⌄Create
✕Your new key:sk-or-v1-f0e••••••••••••••••••••9c3d⧉Please copy it now and write it down somewhere safe. You will not be able to see it again.You can use it with OpenAI-compatible apps, or your own code
Copied
1/7On the Dashboard, choose API Keys
You only see it onceThe key starts with sk-or-v1-. Paste it straight into PolyCog (next step) or somewhere safe. Lost it? Make another with + New Key and delete the old one. Anyone with the key can spend your credit.
You can ignore Default key from the welcome screens, or delete it: its ⋮ menu has Activity, Edit, Disable and Delete. Either way it expires six months after sign-up.
Create does nothing until both lists are chosen: "Choose an expiration, or select No expiration."
The expiry can't be changed later ("Expiration cannot be modified"); the credit limit can, from the key's ⋮ › Edit.
Default Workspace › API Keys › + New Key (/workspaces/default/keys): Name*, Expiration* (starts on "Select expiration": 1 hour / 1 day / 7 days / 30 days / 90 days / 180 days / 1 year / No expiration; fixed for the key's life; the account's Privacy page caps it with "Maximum API key lifetime", default No expiration), Key limit: Credit limit* (starts on "Choose a credit limit": $50 / $250 / $1,000 / Custom amount / No limit) + Reset limit every… (N/A / Daily / Weekly / Monthly: midnight UTC, Monday, the 1st) › Create › "Your new key:" sk-or-v1- + 64 hex, "You will not be able to see it again."
The welcome flow's Default key: $100 credit limit, expires six months after sign-up. Keys belong to a workspace; credit belongs to the account, so every key spends the same balance. Row ⋮: Activity, Edit, Disable, Delete. Management Keys (☰ › Account) are for OpenRouter's key-management API and can't call models. OpenRouter is in GitHub's secret scanning program: a leaked key is disabled and you get an email.
Check a key from the command line: GET https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/key returns its limit, limit_remaining, usage and expiry.
Sign in to PolyCog (a free account is enough), open your profile and choose the Keys tab. Paste into OpenRouter API key and choose Save keys. The button below opens it right here, over this page.
Illustrationpolycog.io › Profile › Keys
ProfileChatsMemorySettingsSavingsKeys
Keys are stored in this browser. Turn on sync to keep them (encrypted) with your account.Grok API keyONxai-…OpenRouter API keyONHow to get one →sk-or-v1-…Save keys
Keys saved
1/2Paste into OpenRouter API key
Keys stay in the browser you saved them in. If you switch on key sync, they're encrypted and stored with your account so your other devices get them too.
Profile › Keys › OpenRouter API key › Save keys (the Wildcard seat's row). Per-key on/off switch. Sync is optional (AES-256 at rest).
Switch on the Wildcard, the sixth seat in the row of bots. It starts on Qwen3.8 Flash: ask something short. An answer means the key and the credit both work. Then open the column's model menu and try another lab, say Qwen3.8 Max, and once with the 🔍 web search button on (each search adds under a cent). Got an error? Find its wording under Troubleshooting.
Test on qwen/qwen3.8-flash, then another lab. PolyCog calls openrouter.ai/api/v1/chat/completions with provider.sort: "price" and fallbacks on (cheapest host first, the next one up if it's busy), and searches through the web plugin (Exa, one request per answer). It sends HTTP-Referer: https://polycog.io and X-Title: PolyCog, so OpenRouter's Activity page names PolyCog as the app. On a new account with its privacy settings as they come, every Wildcard model answered (Sep 27, 2026).
You're set up.
Your OpenRouter key is in PolyCog. One provider gives you one opinion; add a second and the bots have someone to argue with.
Rough numbers for one answer (about 1,100 words of question and context in, 750 words out). A debate round costs a little more than a first answer, since each model reads the others.
Model
Price per 1M tokensin / out
One answer
Answers per $5
Qwen3.8 Flashcheapest, the Wildcard's default
$0.15 / $0.47
≈ $0.00070
≈ 7,200
Qwen3.8 MaxQwen's flagship
$2.00 / $6.00
≈ $0.0090
≈ 560
Kimi K3the priciest Wildcard model
$3.00 / $15.00
≈ $0.020
≈ 260
Web search adds OpenRouter's $0.007 per search. $5 of credit costs $5.80 by card, plus sales tax where it applies. These are the labs' own prices as OpenRouter lists them; a busy moment can send an answer to a pricier host. Some Wildcard models think before they answer and bill the thinking as output, so a hard question can cost a few times more. The other Wildcard models cost between the cheapest and the priciest here. Prices from /pricing/, verified Sep 23, 2026. Assumes 1,500 tokens in and 1,000 out per answer.
Troubleshooting
Find the words from the error in PolyCog's Wildcard seat.
Insufficient credits. This account never purchased credits.402 · PolyCog shows "Out of API credit"
The account's balance is $0.00. On Credits › Add Credits, change the Amount to 5, check Total due and choose Purchase. A new account has no free credit, so this is what you see if you chose I'll do this later in the welcome screens.
"Insufficient credits. Add more using https://openrouter.ai/settings/credits" is the same problem on an account that has run out.
Signed in with more than one account? The key spends the balance of the account that made it. The Credits page names the account at the top.
This request requires more credits, or fewer max_tokens. You requested up to …, but can only afford …402 · a low balance · PolyCog shows "Balance too low for this model"
Your balance is low but not empty. Before each answer OpenRouter checks that you could pay for a long reply at that model's price, so the pricier Wildcard models refuse first while the cheap ones still work. Add credit, or switch the Wildcard to a cheaper model until you do.
User not found.401 · a wrong or deleted key · PolyCog shows "Invalid API key"
OpenRouter doesn't recognise the key PolyCog sent: a character went missing when you copied it, or the key was deleted. OpenRouter shows a key only once, so make a new one (step 3), paste that, and delete the old one. "No auth credentials found" means the key box in PolyCog is empty.
The key has expired401 · past its Expires date
Every OpenRouter key gets an expiry when it's made, and it can't be changed later ("Expiration cannot be modified"). The welcome screens' Default key expires six months after sign-up. On API Keys, the Expires column shows each key's date. Make a new key with No expiration (step 3) and paste it into PolyCog.
Key limit exceeded (total limit). Manage it using https://openrouter.ai/workspaces/default/keys/…403 · the key's own credit limit · PolyCog shows "Key credit limit reached"
The key has spent its own credit limit, even if your account still has money. The message says which kind: total, daily, weekly or monthly. A daily limit comes back at midnight UTC, a weekly one on Monday, a monthly one on the 1st.
To change it, open the link in the message (or API Keys › ⋮ › Edit) and raise Credit limit, or empty it for no limit. The Key limit column on API Keys shows each key's limit. The welcome screens' Default key has a $100 limit.
No endpoints available matching your guardrail restrictions and data policy404 · your privacy settings · PolyCog shows "Blocked by your OpenRouter privacy settings"
Every host that serves this model is ruled out by your account's privacy settings or a guardrail. On a new account every Wildcard model is allowed; this appears after a setting is made stricter.
Open ☰ › Privacy. Eligibility Preview lists the models your settings rule out and why. Allow paid endpoints that train on request data (off on a new account), a Zero Data Retention switch, or a provider under Ignored Providers can each cause it. Pick another Wildcard model, or relax the setting that blocks this one.
The older wording is "No endpoints found matching your data policy". "No allowed providers are available for the selected model" is the same problem from a provider allow-list.
Request blocked403 · a guardrail or moderation flag
A guardrail on your workspace or key refused the request, or the model's host flagged it. Check Guardrails in the ☰ menu for rules you don't want. If it's the host's moderation, it won't take this prompt: try another Wildcard lab.
Rate limit exceeded429 · a rate limit
The host serving the model is busy. PolyCog already asks OpenRouter to fall back to the next host, so this usually means every host is busy for a moment. Wait a minute and try again, or pick another Wildcard model.
OpenRouter or the model's host is down502 · 503 · "Provider returned HTTP 5xx"
It isn't your key or your credit. Try again shortly, or switch the Wildcard to a model from another lab. status.openrouter.ai shows OpenRouter's own incidents.
… is not a valid model ID400 · an old or unknown model
PolyCog only offers current Wildcard models, so you'd see this from an old saved chat or another app. Pick a model from the Wildcard column's menu.
The sign-up link didn't arrive, or has expiredsigning up by email
It comes from OpenRouter <[email protected]> with the subject "Your sign up link", and it works for 10 minutes. Check Spam and Updates, then choose Resend on the Verify your email screen once its countdown ends. Or go back and use GitHub or Google.
Where's my key?closed the box before copying
OpenRouter shows a key only once. On API Keys, choose + New Key, make another one the same way (step 3), and copy it this time. Then delete the lost one from its ⋮ menu. A new key costs nothing.
OpenRouter charged my card againauto top-up
That's Auto Top-Up, which is off until you turn it on. When it's on, OpenRouter buys more credit ($50 pre-filled) every time your balance drops below a threshold ($5 pre-filled), without asking. On ☰ › Credits, open Auto Top-Up and switch Enable auto top up off. Every purchase is listed under Recent Transactions, with a Refund button for 24 hours.
Questions people ask
What is OpenRouter, and why does PolyCog use it?
OpenRouter is one account and one key that reaches hundreds of AI models from many labs. PolyCog's Wildcard seat uses it so you can put Qwen, Kimi, GLM, Mistral, Llama, MiniMax, Venice or Nous at the table without eight separate accounts. You pay OpenRouter at the prices it lists for each model, and PolyCog adds nothing.
Is OpenRouter free?
Making the account and the key is free, but there's no starting credit: in our test (September 2026) a new account had $0.00 and the first request failed until we bought some. OpenRouter also lists some free models (their names end in :free, with a daily cap), but the Wildcard's models are the paid versions.
Why did $5 of credit cost more than $5?
OpenRouter adds a card fee of 5.5% with a $0.80 minimum, so on small purchases it's a flat $0.80. Sales tax or VAT is added on top where it applies, on the credit and the fee: in our US test $5 of credit cost $6.34. Paying with crypto costs 5% instead. The fee is OpenRouter's; PolyCog gets none of it.
Does OpenRouter credit expire? Can I get a refund?
OpenRouter's terms let it expire credit 365 days after you buy it. Unused credit can be refunded within 24 hours of buying it, from the Refund button next to the purchase on the Credits page; the fee isn't refunded, and crypto purchases can't be refunded at all. That's why this guide starts with $5.
Do I also need Qwen, Kimi or Mistral accounts?
No. One OpenRouter key covers every Wildcard model. OpenRouter's BYOK page lets you add keys from those labs if you already have them, but PolyCog doesn't need it.
Can I limit what the key can spend?
Yes. Credit limit caps what one key can spend: $50, $250, $1,000, a custom amount, or No limit. Reset limit every… turns it into a daily, weekly or monthly allowance. You can change both later (API Keys › ⋮ › Edit); the expiry can't be changed. With auto top-up off, your balance is already the most any key can spend.
Who sees my prompts?
OpenRouter passes each request to a host that serves the model: the lab itself or another company that runs it. OpenRouter doesn't keep your prompts unless you opt in (there's a 1% discount for letting it). On a new account, the ☰ › Privacy page already rules out paid hosts that train on your data, and it can also require zero data retention. Stricter settings can leave a model with no host at all (see No endpoints available).
Is it safe to give PolyCog my key?
PolyCog sends it only to OpenRouter, only for requests you start. It's kept in your browser, and encrypted if you turn on key sync. You can delete the key on OpenRouter's API Keys page at any time. With auto top-up off, the balance you bought is the most it can ever cost.
PolyCog puts up to six AI models on the same question, lets them debate, and has the one you pick write the answer. Your keys, provider prices, no markup.
Free tier forever · $10/mo · $250 lifetime · your API keys, your bill
Verified at OpenRouter's help center, developer docs and platform on Sep 27, 2026. OpenRouter moves things around; spotted a change? Send a correction. Screens are simplified drawings, not screenshots. Not affiliated with OpenRouter.All guides → · Models → · Pricing →