Providers

OpenAI

OpenClaw uses one provider id, openai, for both direct API-key auth and ChatGPT/Codex subscription auth. openai/* is the canonical model route. For embedded agent turns with runtime policy unset or auto, OpenAI's route facts decide whether OpenClaw may select the bundled Codex app-server runtime implicitly. The openai/* prefix alone does not select a runtime.

Agent models - openai/* through the runtime selected by explicit agentRuntime config or OpenAI's implicit route policy. Sign in with Codex auth for ChatGPT/Codex subscription use, or configure an API-key auth profile when you want key-based billing.
Non-agent OpenAI APIs - direct OpenAI Platform access, billed per use, through OPENAI_API_KEY or an openai API-key auth profile.
Legacy config - codex/* and openai-codex/* refs are repaired to openai/* plus model-scoped agentRuntime.id: "codex" by openclaw doctor --fix.

OpenAI explicitly supports subscription OAuth usage in external tools and workflows like OpenClaw.

This page is an index. OpenAI is documented on eight pages, one per reader job. Open the page that matches your task.

Page	Read it when
OpenAI setup	You are connecting an account: the API-key and Codex subscription paths, route summaries, OAuth recovery, and the long-context opt-in.
OpenAI models	You are choosing a model ref: the quick-choice table, GPT-6 Astra, and the GPT-5.6 tiers.
OpenAI runtimes and Codex auth	You need to know which runtime runs an `openai/*` turn, and how native Codex resolves its account.
OpenAI coverage and cost	You want the capability matrix, memory embeddings, or how subscription quota and Platform billing are reported.
OpenAI image and video generation	You are generating or editing images and video through the bundled `openai` plugin.
OpenAI voice and speech	You are configuring text-to-speech, transcription, or realtime voice, including per-route auth order.
Azure OpenAI endpoints	You are pointing the bundled `openai` provider at an Azure OpenAI resource.
OpenAI advanced configuration	You are tuning prompt contribution, transport, Fast mode, compaction, strict-agentic mode, or proxy compat.

Where each section moved

Every anchor the single-page version published still resolves here, so an existing link such as /providers/openai#implicit-agent-runtime keeps working. Each entry points at the page that now holds the content.

OpenAI setup