Connect OpenRouter to your MonstarX app
In shortOpenRouter gives one key for models from many AI companies. Connect it with your key in Backend → Cloud and ask MonstarX to use it, naming a model if you like. Your app's AI then runs on your OpenRouter credit instead of MonstarX AI, and you can switch back at any time.
Use your own OpenRouter account and any of its models.
- Type
- For your app
- Category
- AI and media
- Connect with
- API key
OpenRouter is one account and one key for AI models from many companies — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Mistral and others. Your MonstarX app already has AI built in (see Add AI features to your app). Connect OpenRouter when you want to choose the exact model a feature uses, compare models, or pay for your app’s AI yourself.
What can you build with it?
Section titled “What can you build with it?”- A chat assistant on the model you trust, like a Claude or Gemini model, by name.
- A cheap, fast model for simple jobs — tagging, sorting, short summaries — and a stronger one for hard questions.
- A model picker that lets your users choose which AI answers them.
- Heavy AI use beyond the built-in 300 requests a day, billed to your own credit.
What changes when I use OpenRouter instead of MonstarX AI?
Section titled “What changes when I use OpenRouter instead of MonstarX AI?”OpenRouter replaces MonstarX AI — the Backend list marks it that way. Connecting it adds your key; the app’s AI features move over when you ask MonstarX to switch them:
| MonstarX AI (built in) | OpenRouter (your account) | |
|---|---|---|
| Models | Chosen by MonstarX, with a backup model | Any model on OpenRouter, named by you |
| Limits | 300 requests and 30 images a day per app | Your OpenRouter credit and key limit |
| Cost | Counts toward your MonstarX plan’s usage | Paid from your OpenRouter credit |
| Where calls are listed | BackendAI | Your OpenRouter activity page |
Features you have not switched keep using MonstarX AI. MonstarX AI also makes pictures, reads text aloud, turns speech into text and searches the web; if you use those, keep AI (and Web Search) switched on, or ask MonstarX to rebuild them another way.
Before you start
Section titled “Before you start”- An OpenRouter account with credit. You buy credit up front and each request is charged at the model’s own price, listed on OpenRouter’s models page.
Get your key
Section titled “Get your key”-
Sign in to OpenRouter and add credit if you have none.
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Open Keys and create a key. Give it a name and, ideally, a credit limit so this app can never spend more than you planned.
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Copy the key (it starts with
sk-or-).
Connect it in MonstarX
Section titled “Connect it in MonstarX”-
Open your project and click Backend in the top bar, then Cloud.
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Under Connectors, click Connect beside OpenRouter.
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Paste the key into API key.
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Click Connect OpenRouter. The row shows Connected, and your preview restarts with the key.
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Ask MonstarX to use it, for example: “Use my OpenRouter key for the help chat, with a Claude model.”
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Optional: once nothing in the app uses MonstarX AI, open BackendCloud and click Turn off on AI.
Ask MonstarX to use it
Section titled “Ask MonstarX to use it”| You type | What happens |
|---|---|
| “Use my OpenRouter key for all of the app’s AI features.” | Every AI feature is rewritten to call OpenRouter. |
| “Use Gemini through OpenRouter for the summaries.” | That feature runs on the model you named. |
| “Let users pick between three models in the chat.” | A model choice beside the chat box. |
| “Use a cheap model for tagging and a strong one for answers.” | Two features, each on its own model. |
How do I switch back to MonstarX AI?
Section titled “How do I switch back to MonstarX AI?”-
In BackendCloud, click Turn on on AI if you switched it off.
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Ask MonstarX: “Use MonstarX AI again for the app’s AI features.”
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Click Disconnect on the OpenRouter row to remove your key from this app.
Security and privacy
Section titled “Security and privacy”- Your key is stored encrypted with this app and used only by its server. People using your app never see it.
- What your app sends goes through OpenRouter to the model’s company, under their terms. OpenRouter’s privacy settings let you rule out providers you do not want.
- Only the project’s owner can connect, update or disconnect OpenRouter.
- To replace the key, create a new one, click Update keys on the OpenRouter row, paste it and click Save keys. Publish again, then delete the old key in OpenRouter.
Good to know
Section titled “Good to know”- There is no automatic backup model unless you ask MonstarX to add one. If your credit runs out, those features show an error until you top up.
- Models change prices and are sometimes retired. If a feature stops working, check that its model is still listed.
- Your own building in MonstarX is not affected. This key is only for the app you build.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”OpenRouter or OpenAI — which should I connect?
OpenAI if you only want GPT models and already pay OpenAI. OpenRouter if you want to choose from many companies' models with one key and one bill.
Does connecting OpenRouter switch my AI features straight away?
No. It adds the key. Ask MonstarX to use it, for all features or just one.
How do I stop my app spending too much?
Set a credit limit on the key in OpenRouter. When it is reached, requests stop until you raise it.
What happens if I turn off AI?
Anything still using MonstarX AI stops answering, including pictures, reading aloud and transcription built on it. Move those features first.