# Openrouter Install Auth

> Execute set up OpenRouter API authentication and configure API keys. Use when starting a new OpenRouter integration or troubleshooting auth issues. Trigger with phrases like 'openrouter setup', 'openrouter api key', 'openrouter authentication', 'configure openrouter'.

- Skill: `micsapp/openrouter-install-auth` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add micsapp/openrouter-install-auth`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/micsapp/openrouter-install-auth/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- License: MIT
- Author: micsapp (https://skillmd.com/u/micsapp)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/micsapp/openrouter-install-auth

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# Openrouter Install Auth

## Overview

This skill guides you through obtaining and configuring OpenRouter API credentials, setting up environment variables, and verifying your authentication is working correctly.

## Prerequisites

- OpenRouter account (free at openrouter.ai)
- Python 3.8+ or Node.js 18+
- OpenAI SDK installed (`pip install openai` or `npm install openai`)

## Instructions

1. **Create an OpenRouter account**: Sign up at [openrouter.ai](https://openrouter.ai) and navigate to the API Keys page
2. **Generate an API key**: Click "Create Key", give it a descriptive name, and copy the `sk-or-...` value immediately (it won't be shown again)
3. **Configure your environment**: Add `OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-...` to your `.env` file or export it in your shell profile
4. **Initialize the OpenAI SDK**: Point the SDK at `base_url="https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"` with your key
5. **Verify authentication**: Run a minimal chat completion request and confirm you get a 200 response with valid output

## Output

- A working OpenAI SDK client configured for OpenRouter
- Environment variable set and loadable from `.env`
- Successful test request confirming authentication works

## Error Handling

| Error | Cause | Fix |
|-------|-------|-----|
| 401 `invalid_api_key` | Key is malformed or revoked | Regenerate at openrouter.ai/keys |
| 401 `missing_api_key` | Authorization header missing | Add `Authorization: Bearer sk-or-...` header |
| 403 `insufficient_credits` | Account has no credits | Add credits at openrouter.ai/credits or use a free model |

See `${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/errors.md` for full error reference.

## Examples

See `${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/examples.md` for runnable code samples.

## Resources

- [OpenRouter Documentation](https://openrouter.ai/docs)
- [OpenRouter Models](https://openrouter.ai/models)
- [OpenRouter API Reference](https://openrouter.ai/docs/api-reference)
- [OpenRouter Status](https://status.openrouter.ai)