Deploy OpenRouter - Docker Deployment

Overview

This guide walks you through deploying an AI assistant powered by OpenRouter using Docker Deployment. You'll configure the provider, set up the deployment environment, and get your assistant running.

Requirements

• Docker: Docker Engine 20.10+
• Docker Compose: For multi-container orchestration
• OpenRouter credentials: API key or authentication

Step 1: Configure OpenRouter

OpenRouter API key

1. Create account at openrouter.ai
2. Generate API key
3. Set OPENROUTER_API_KEY environment variable

Step 2: Prepare Docker Deployment Environment

1. Create Dockerfile: Create a Dockerfile for OpenClaw
2. Create docker-compose.yml: Set up Docker Compose configuration
3. Build Image: Build the Docker image

   docker compose build

4. Start Container: Start the container

   docker compose up -d

5. Run Onboarding: Complete setup inside container

   docker compose exec openclaw openclaw onboard

Step 3: Configuration

Create your openclaw.json configuration:

{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "openrouter/anthropic/claude-sonnet-4"
      }
    }
  },
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openrouter": {
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openrouter": {
        "apiKey": "${OPENROUTER_API_KEY}
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Deploy

# docker-compose.yml
version: '3.8'
services:
  openclaw:
    image: node:22-slim
    command: ["sh", "-c", "npm install -g openclaw@latest && openclaw gateway"]
    ports:
      - "18789:18789"
    volumes:
      - openclaw_data:/root/.openclaw
    environment:
      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  openclaw_data:

Step 5: Verify

# Check deployment status
openclaw status

# View logs
openclaw logs --follow

# Test with a message
openclaw test "Hello, are you working?"

Connect to Channels

Now connect your deployed OpenRouter assistant to messaging channels: