Does OpenRouter have a free tier?
Yes: :free-suffixed models cost $0 per token, capped at 50 requests/day and 20/minute on a free account; a one-time $10 credit purchase (never expires) lifts the daily cap to 1,000.
OpenRouter: get an API key and write fiction with it on your phone
Hundreds of models behind one key: switching models means changing a model name, not a key, and 20+ :free-suffixed models cost zero — the least friction when you want to compare providers inside one book. This page is the BYOK quick answer for OpenRouter: key steps, direct console and pricing links, and the app-side notes that matter. Verified 2026-07-18.
Two links up front: get your key at the official console and check rates on the official pricing page. Prices and free quotas move; the official pages are authoritative.
What does it power inside Foreverse?
The factory preset declares 3 modality flags for OpenRouter. The models actually available come from the live catalog fetched in-app — catalogs move fast, and the flag only means the protocol wiring is ready.
| Modality | Used for |
|---|---|
| Text | Continuation · roleplay chat · agent |
| Vision | Image understanding in chat |
| Image | Scene illustration · moment cards · comics |
How do I get a OpenRouter API key?
- Sign up at openrouter.ai with Google or email.
- Click your avatar → Keys → Create Key; each key can carry its own spend limit.
- The key is shown once — copy and store it.
- Free models work on a $0 balance; buy credits later only if you want paid models.
Key in hand: three steps to connect
- Open the app's Settings → AI models & services and find OpenRouter in the list (one of 62 presets, with logo and search).
- Paste the key and tap the connectivity test — it fires one real request to verify key and network, and pulls back the model list while it's at it.
- Enable the models you want, then set per-modality defaults (text, image, speech, and video each get their own); continuation, chat, and listening route through them from then on.
The one universal host pitfall: the API host must include its full version prefix (this provider's exact form is in the notes below) — the app never appends /v1 for you.
OpenRouter-specific notes
The preset host is https://openrouter.ai/api/v1 — note the /api/v1 prefix, not /v1. Model names carry a source prefix (like deepseek/deepseek-v4); the free roster rotates, so openrouter.ai/models is the live source of truth.
FAQ
Where does the key live once I paste it into the app?
It's stored on your device only, under system-level encryption — never uploaded or synced to any Foreverse server. Requests go straight from your phone to the provider's official endpoint with zero markup. To revoke access, delete the key in the provider's console.