OpenAI

OpenAI provides developer APIs for GPT models. Codex supports ChatGPT sign-in for subscription access or API key sign-in for usage-based access. Codex cloud requires ChatGPT sign-in, while the Codex CLI supports either sign-in method. The Codex CLI caches login details in ~/.codex/auth.json (or your OS credential store), which OpenClaw can reuse.

Option A: OpenAI API key (OpenAI Platform)

Best for: direct API access and usage-based billing. Get your API key from the OpenAI dashboard.

CLI setup

openclaw onboard --auth-choice openai-api-key
# or non-interactive
openclaw onboard --openai-api-key "$OPENAI_API_KEY"

Config snippet

{
  env: { OPENAI_API_KEY: "sk-..." },
  agents: { defaults: { model: { primary: "openai/gpt-5.2" } } }
}

Option B: OpenAI Code (Codex) subscription

Best for: using ChatGPT/Codex subscription access instead of an API key. Codex cloud requires ChatGPT sign-in, while the Codex CLI supports ChatGPT or API key sign-in.

OpenClaw can reuse your Codex CLI login (~/.codex/auth.json) or run the OAuth flow.

CLI setup

# Reuse existing Codex CLI login
openclaw onboard --auth-choice codex-cli

# Or run Codex OAuth in the wizard
openclaw onboard --auth-choice openai-codex

Config snippet

{
  agents: { defaults: { model: { primary: "openai-codex/gpt-5.2" } } }
}

Notes

• Model refs always use provider/model (see /concepts/models).
• Auth details + reuse rules are in /concepts/oauth.