Create OpenRouter keys, add credits and provider keys, connect them in AgentSDR and choose the models, with provider pinning and transcription.
OpenRouter is the gateway every AI feature in AgentSDR runs through, using your own provider keys. You need it for reply classification and drafts, AI columns and call transcription. Without it those features cannot run.
An account with at least one model provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and so on) and an API key from it. AgentSDR works only in “bring your own key” (BYOK) mode.
Reply classification and drafts in the CRM, using the default model.
AI columns in Tables, each on one of your allowed models. See AI columns.
Call transcription of WhatsApp recordings, using the transcription model.
Other internal tasks, such as the formula generator, which use the default model.
Costs. AgentSDR adds no markup and shows no prices. Model usage on a BYOK key is billed by the model provider to your own account with them. Anything OpenRouter itself charges is billed by OpenRouter: see its FAQ and BYOK guide for current terms.
This page covers the OpenRouter side and the connection. For what each control in the app does, see AI provider.
Sign up at openrouter.ai. OpenRouter’s FAQ says you add credits before you create keys and start using the API: open Settings → Credits and make a deposit. Your model calls run on your own provider keys (next steps), but the credits page is where your OpenRouter balance lives.
2
Add your provider keys to OpenRouter
In OpenRouter’s BYOK settings, add the API key of each provider you want AgentSDR to use (see OpenRouter’s BYOK guide). Keep them in the prioritized section. A key in the fallback section is shown in AgentSDR but cannot be selected.
3
Set shared capacity to never
On each provider’s page in OpenRouter, set the shared capacity option to never use shared capacity. The wording on OpenRouter’s current page offers “Never use shared capacity for models this key applies to” and “Never use shared capacity for any model on this provider”. AgentSDR’s own checkbox quotes the older phrase Never use shared capacity on this provider. Choose the option that stops shared capacity for every model on the provider, so no request ever spends OpenRouter’s capacity or credits on that provider. OpenRouter does not expose this setting through its API, so you confirm it in AgentSDR later.
4
Create an inference key
Open Settings → Keys, create a key, give it a name and, if you like, a credit limit, and copy it. It starts with sk-or-v1-.
5
Create a management key
Open Settings → Management keys, click Create New Key, give it a name and an expiration date, and copy it. It starts with sk-or-mgmt-. A management key cannot run models. AgentSDR uses it only to read which provider keys you added in BYOK, so it can list them.
6
Connect OpenRouter in AgentSDR
Go to Settings → AI provider. In the OpenRouter account section click Connect OpenRouter and fill in:
Account name (optional). Defaults to “OpenRouter account”.
Inference API key.
Management API key.
Click Verify & connect. AgentSDR checks the inference key, reads your BYOK keys with the management key, and requires at least one active prioritized BYOK key. The keys are stored encrypted. The card then reads Verified and ready to use. You can add a second account with Connect another account and pick the active one.
Three fields, then Verify and connect.
7
Choose providers and models
Under Providers and models, click Refresh providers if you added a key a moment ago. Switch on the providers AgentSDR may use, open each list, and tick the models you allow. Only ticked models appear in AI columns.
8
Set the default model
Under Default model, pick a Provider and model. Only ticked text models that support structured output are listed. Every internal AI task uses it, and new compatible AI columns select it automatically.
9
Choose the transcription model (optional)
Under Call transcription model, pick a model that accepts audio input, for example a Gemini model. Leave it on Off and recordings are not transcribed. See Transcription.
10
Confirm shared capacity and save
Tick Never use shared capacity (under Shared capacity) to confirm step 3, then click Save AI settings. Saving needs a connected account, at least one provider and one model, a default model and the confirmation. Until you confirm it, AgentSDR blocks every model call.
Switching to a different OpenRouter account clears your providers, models, default model, transcription model and the shared capacity confirmation. Set them up again.
For every text request AgentSDR sends OpenRouter provider.only and provider.order set to the one provider of the model you chose, allow_fallbacks: false and require_parameters: true. Image requests use the same single-provider pin with fallbacks off, through OpenRouter’s image endpoint (which does not support require_parameters).Why: with fallbacks on, a failed request could silently move to another provider, or to OpenRouter’s shared capacity, spending OpenRouter’s credits and sending your data to a provider you never approved. With fallbacks off, a failure is a failure. It costs you some resilience and keeps your data and spend on the providers and keys you chose. See OpenRouter’s provider routing reference.OPENROUTER_SITE_URL sets the attribution URL sent to OpenRouter.
The transcription model is off by default. While it is off, recordings are not transcribed, and an attempt fails with “Transcription is off: choose a transcription model in Settings → AI provider”. If you later remove the chosen model or provider from the allowed list, it resets to Off. Gemini models merge the audio channels, so who spoke is inferred rather than labelled.
Enter both the inference API key and management API key.
Both fields are required. The management key is a separate key.
Use an OpenRouter inference key here; management keys cannot run models
You pasted a sk-or-mgmt- key into Inference API key. Use a key from Settings → Keys.
No active prioritized BYOK credentials were found in this OpenRouter workspace
You have not added a provider key in OpenRouter BYOK, or it is disabled or in the fallback section. Add one, then connect again.
OpenRouter request failed (401)
OpenRouter rejected the key: it is wrong, deleted, expired or past its credit limit. Create a new one. Management keys can expire, so set the expiry you want.
Connect OpenRouter in AI Settings
No account is connected. Do step 6.
Choose a default OpenRouter model in AI Settings
No default model is saved. Do steps 7 and 8, then Save AI settings.
OpenRouter BYOK-only routing is not confirmed in AI Settings
Tick Never use shared capacity and save.
Model ... is not enabled for ... in AI Settings
The model or its provider is not ticked. Tick it under Providers and models.
Reconnect OpenRouter in AI Settings
The saved connection is unavailable or no longer verified. Connect again.
Transcription is off: choose a transcription model in Settings → AI provider
Pick a transcription model and save.
No BYOK providers found
Add a key in OpenRouter’s BYOK settings, then click Refresh providers. A provider is greyed out when it has no prioritized key or OpenRouter returned no models for it.
