OpenClaw Integration

AVELIN API works seamlessly with OpenClaw — an open-source agentic coding platform that orchestrates multiple AI models for complex software engineering workflows.

Why AVELIN + OpenClaw? OpenClaw's multi-agent architecture pairs perfectly with AVELIN's diverse model catalog. Use specialized models for different tasks — coding, reasoning, planning — all through one governed API.

Quick Setup

Step 1: Get your AVELIN API key

Sign up at avelin.ai and generate an API key. It will look like sk-ave...xxxx.

Step 2: Configure OpenClaw

OpenClaw supports both Anthropic and OpenAI API formats. We recommend the Anthropic surface for best compatibility.

Option A: Environment Variables

Set these in your shell profile or OpenClaw's configuration:

export OPENCLAW_API_KEY="sk-a...
export OPENCLAW_BASE_URL="https://api.avelin.ai"

Option B: Configuration File

Edit ~/.openclaw/config.json:

{
  "providers": {
    "avelin": {
      "type": "anthropic",
      "base_url": "https://api.avelin.ai",
      "api_key": "sk-a...
      "models": {
        "coding": "avelin-coding-pro",
        "reasoning": "avelin-ultra",
        "fast": "avelin-fast"
      }
    }
  },
  "default_provider": "avelin"
}

Step 3: Start OpenClaw

openclaw

OpenClaw will use AVELIN as its backend provider.

Multi-Model Workflows

OpenClaw's strength is orchestrating multiple AI agents for complex tasks. AVELIN's diverse model catalog is perfect for this:

{
  "agents": {
    "architect": {
      "model": "avelin-coding-ultra",
      "purpose": "System design, architecture decisions, security reviews"
    },
    "coder": {
      "model": "avelin-coding-pro",
      "purpose": "Code generation, refactoring, debugging"
    },
    "planner": {
      "model": "avelin-ultra",
      "purpose": "Task decomposition, planning, research"
    },
    "reviewer": {
      "model": "avelin-coding-fast",
      "purpose": "Code review, test generation, documentation"
    },
    "assistant": {
      "model": "avelin-fast",
      "purpose": "Quick questions, simple tasks, high-volume operations"
    }
  }
}

Example Workflow

$ openclaw run "Implement user authentication with JWT tokens"

OpenClaw orchestrates:
  → Planner (avelin-ultra): Decomposes task into subtasks
  → Architect (avelin-coding-ultra): Designs auth system architecture
  → Coder (avelin-coding-pro): Implements auth middleware and routes
  → Reviewer (avelin-coding-fast): Reviews code, generates tests
  → Assistant (avelin-fast): Updates README with usage examples

Result: Complete auth system with tests and documentation

Why AVELIN for OpenClaw?

1. Model Diversity

OpenClaw thrives with specialized models for different tasks. AVELIN provides:

  • Coding models (1M context): avelin-coding-fast, avelin-coding-pro, avelin-coding-ultra
  • Reasoning models (256K context): avelin-ultra, avelin-pro
  • Fast models (256K context): avelin-fast
  • Agentic models (256K context): avelin-agentic-pro, avelin-agentic-ultra, avelin-agentic-fast

2. Cost Optimization

Multi-agent workflows can be expensive. AVELIN optimizes costs:

  • Route simple tasks to fast models: Use avelin-fast for high-volume operations
  • Prompt caching: ~80% cost reduction on repeated system prompts
  • Pay-per-token: No subscription lock-in

3. Reliability

  • Automatic failover: If one provider is slow, AVELIN switches to another
  • Retry logic: Transient errors handled automatically
  • High throughput: Support for parallel agent execution

4. 1M Context Windows

OpenClaw agents often work with large codebases. AVELIN's coding models support 1M tokens — no chunking required.

Configuration Examples

Simple Single-Model Setup

For basic OpenClaw usage with one model:

{
  "providers": {
    "avelin": {
      "type": "anthropic",
      "base_url": "https://api.avelin.ai",
      "api_key": "sk-a...
      "models": {
        "default": "avelin-coding-pro"
      }
    }
  }
}

Advanced Multi-Model Setup

For complex workflows with specialized agents:

{
  "providers": {
    "avelin": {
      "type": "anthropic",
      "base_url": "https://api.avelin.ai",
      "api_key": "sk-a...
    }
  },
  "workflows": {
    "feature_development": {
      "agents": [
        {
          "name": "planner",
          "model": "avelin-ultra",
          "max_tokens": 65536,
          "thinking": "enabled"
        },
        {
          "name": "architect",
          "model": "avelin-coding-ultra",
          "max_tokens": 65536,
          "thinking": "enabled"
        },
        {
          "name": "coder",
          "model": "avelin-coding-pro",
          "max_tokens": 65536,
          "thinking": "enabled"
        }
      ]
    },
    "quick_fix": {
      "agents": [
        {
          "name": "fixer",
          "model": "avelin-fast",
          "max_tokens": 8192,
          "thinking": "disabled"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Tool Calling Best Practices

OpenClaw relies heavily on tool calling for file operations, command execution, and API interactions. AVELIN's models excel at this:

Reliable Tool Formats

Both Anthropic and OpenAI tool formats work:

{
  "tools": [
    {
      "name": "read_file",
      "description": "Read file contents",
      "input_schema": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "path": { "type": "string" }
        },
        "required": ["path"]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Streaming with Tools

Enable streaming for real-time feedback:

{
  "stream": true,
  "tools": [...]
}

Troubleshooting

IssueSolution
"Provider not found"Check that OPENCLAW_BASE_URL points to https://api.avelin.ai
"Model not available"Use a valid AVELIN model name from the Model Catalog
Slow multi-agent executionEnsure you're using high-throughput models like avelin-coding-pro
Tool calls failingUse avelin-coding-pro or avelin-coding-fast — these have first-class function calling
Context errorsSet context_length: 1000000 for coding models
Rate limitingAVELIN has generous limits. If hit, OpenClaw's retry logic handles it automatically

Cost Optimization Tips

1. Route by Task Complexity

{
  "routing": {
    "simple_queries": "avelin-fast",
    "code_generation": "avelin-coding-fast",
    "complex_refactors": "avelin-coding-pro",
    "architecture_design": "avelin-coding-ultra"
  }
}

2. Enable Prompt Caching

AVELIN automatically caches repeated system prompts (~80% cost reduction). No configuration needed.

3. Use Thinking Wisely

Enable thinking only for complex tasks:

{
  "agents": {
    "planner": {
      "model": "avelin-ultra",
      "thinking": "enabled"
    },
    "assistant": {
      "model": "avelin-fast",
      "thinking": "disabled"
    }
  }
}

Example Use Cases

Feature Development Workflow

openclaw run "Add user authentication with JWT, including:
- Auth middleware
- Login/register endpoints
- Password hashing
- Comprehensive tests
- API documentation"

OpenClaw orchestrates multiple agents to deliver the complete feature.

Codebase Refactoring

openclaw run "Refactor the database layer to use repository pattern.
Update all services, add tests, and create migration guide."

Large context windows allow agents to understand the entire codebase.

Bug Investigation

openclaw run "Investigate the memory leak in the caching service.
Analyze logs, profile the code, and implement a fix."

Multiple agents collaborate on diagnosis and solution.