# Connect your OpenRouter key

> Connect your OpenRouter account so your Chirps can answer visitors.

Source: https://www.chirpbuilder.com/help/openrouter/connect-key  
Plans: Essentials, Creator, Business, Academy  
Last checked: 2026-10-26

When you're done, your Chirps answer using the AI account you pay for.

**Who can do this:** the account owner, on any plan (Essentials, Creator, Business or Academy).

**What you'll need:** an OpenRouter account with some credit, and a key from it. If you don't have
one yet, [make your OpenRouter account and key](https://www.chirpbuilder.com/help/openrouter/create-account-and-key) first.

OpenRouter is the service that runs the AI models your Chirps use. Chirp Builder never pays for your
Chirps' conversations: OpenRouter charges your account for each answer, so you choose the models and
control the spending.

## Connect your key

1. In the menu, click **Settings**.
2. Scroll to **AI provider: OpenRouter**.

   ![The Settings page with the "AI provider: OpenRouter" card and an empty "Paste your key" box.](https://mjmtbasmrtksluvlnema.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/help-media/web-optimized/openrouter/connect-key/SS-OR-010-01__settings-card__essentials__desktop__v01.webp?v=627deb0a69)

3. In **Paste your key** (1), paste the key you copied from OpenRouter. It starts with `sk-or-`.
4. Click **Check & save** (2). Chirp Builder checks the key with OpenRouter before saving it.

   ![The "Paste your key" box with a hidden key typed in, and the "Check & save" button.](https://mjmtbasmrtksluvlnema.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/help-media/web-optimized/openrouter/connect-key/SS-OR-010-02__paste-key__essentials__detail__v01.webp?v=b81343d3b1)

## What success looks like

The card shows **Connected** and **Key ending in** the last four characters of your key. If
OpenRouter reports it, you also see your **OpenRouter balance** and how much of the key's own limit
is left.

![The OpenRouter card showing "Connected", the key's last four characters and the account balance.](https://mjmtbasmrtksluvlnema.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/help-media/web-optimized/openrouter/connect-key/SS-OR-010-03__connected__essentials__desktop__v01.webp?v=da4a7c95de)

Your key is encrypted and only ever sent to OpenRouter. It's never shown again, here or on your
Chirps.

## Keep your spending in check

At OpenRouter, open **Keys**, edit this key and set a **credit limit** (for example $20 a month). A
busy Chirp then can't spend more than you plan.

## If it doesn't work

When you first click **Check & save**, a problem shows as a message and the key isn't saved:

- **"OpenRouter doesn't recognize this key. It may have been deleted or typed wrong."** Copy the key
  again, or make a new one, and paste it.
- **"This key has expired. Create a new one at OpenRouter."**
- **"Couldn't reach OpenRouter to check this key. Try again in a minute."**
- **"Key saved, but the OpenRouter account needs credit before your Chirps can answer."** The key is
  fine: add credit at OpenRouter, then click **Check again**.

Once a key is saved, the card shows its status. **Invalid key** means it was deleted or changed at
OpenRouter: make a new one and click **Replace**. **Insufficient credits** means the account needs
credit. **Connection error** means OpenRouter didn't answer: wait a minute and click **Check again**.

## Change or remove the key

- **Check again** asks OpenRouter whether the key still works.
- **Replace** lets you paste a new key (for example after you made a new one at OpenRouter).
- **Remove** deletes the key from Chirp Builder. Your Chirps stop answering until you connect a key
  again (unless their workspace has its own key).