Switch Models

OpenClaw lets you switch between different AI models at any time during your chat session. This guide shows you how to change models on the fly.

Prerequisites

During the deployment flow (Start Deployment), at Step 5-7 you select an AI Provider, choose a Model, and enter your API Key. Repeat this process for additional providers/models.

Why Switch Models

Different models excel at different tasks. You might want to switch models to:

• Use a more powerful model for complex reasoning tasks
• Switch to a faster model for quick questions
• Try different providers for cost optimization
• Test model capabilities for your specific use case

How to Switch Models

In the chat interface, click on the current model name displayed at the top of the chat area (next to the channel name).

INFO

If you only see one model in the dropdown, go back and configure additional API keys for the models you want to use.

Tips

• Model switching only affects new messages—previous conversation history remains unchanged
• You can switch models as many times as needed during a session
• If a model is unavailable, check that the corresponding API key is properly configured in your settings
• The default model setting persists across sessions

Related Guides

• Configure API keys: Register AI API Keys
• Deploy your agent: Start Deployment
• Create custom skills: Pro Ways to Create Skills