LLM Add-on (BYOK vs Managed)

How LLM Works on ClawHosters

Every OpenClaw instance can use a large language model for conversations, tasks, and automations. ClawHosters gives you two ways to connect one: bring your own API key or use a managed pack.

BYOK (Bring Your Own Key)

BYOK lets you use API keys you already have from providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google. ClawHosters does not charge anything for BYOK — you pay your provider directly.

Supported Providers

• Anthropic — Claude Opus, Sonnet, Haiku
• OpenAI — GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, GPT-3.5, o1
• Google AI — Gemini models
• DeepSeek — DeepSeek V3 and others
• Mistral — Mistral models
• Groq — Fast inference models

Setting Up BYOK

1. Open your instance in the ClawHosters dashboard
2. Go to Add-ons > LLM
3. Select Bring Your Own Key
4. Choose your provider from the dropdown
5. Paste your API key
6. Click Verify & Save

The system runs a quick test call against your provider to confirm the key works. If verification succeeds, your instance is ready to use that provider's models.

Info: API keys are encrypted at rest. ClawHosters never stores them in plain text.

Why Choose BYOK

• No extra cost from ClawHosters
• Use any model your provider supports, including the latest releases
• No token limits on the ClawHosters side (your provider's limits apply)
• Good for teams that already have API agreements with a provider

Managed Packs

If you do not have your own API keys or want a simpler setup, managed packs give you a fixed monthly token allowance at a set price. ClawHosters handles the API keys and routing.

Available Tiers

Tier	Model	Best For
Eco	DeepSeek V3	General tasks, best value per token
Standard	Gemini Flash-Lite	Fast responses, reliable performance
Premium	Claude Haiku	Complex reasoning, nuanced conversations

Each tier uses a specific model. You cannot swap models within a tier.

Pricing and Token Allowances

Eco (DeepSeek V3)

Pack	Tokens/Month	Monthly Price
Starter	1,000,000	€3
Standard	5,000,000	€10
Pro	15,000,000	€25

Standard (Gemini Flash-Lite)

Pack	Tokens/Month	Monthly Price
Starter	1,000,000	€5
Standard	5,000,000	€15
Pro	15,000,000	€40

Premium (Claude Haiku)

Pack	Tokens/Month	Monthly Price
Starter	1,000,000	€12
Standard	3,000,000	€30
Pro	8,000,000	€70

Setting Up a Managed Pack

1. Open your instance in the ClawHosters dashboard
2. Go to Add-ons > LLM
3. Select Managed Pack
4. Choose a tier (Eco, Standard, or Premium)
5. Choose a pack size (Starter, Standard, or Pro)
6. Confirm your subscription

The LLM is available immediately after subscribing. Token usage starts counting from the first request.

Token Tracking

Every LLM request is tracked in real time. Both input tokens (what you send) and output tokens (what the model responds) count toward your pack limit.

You can check your current usage on the add-ons page in the dashboard:

• Tokens used — How many tokens you have consumed this period
• Tokens remaining — How many you have left in your pack
• Usage percentage — A visual indicator of consumption

What Happens When You Run Out

If your managed pack runs out of tokens, further LLM requests return an error until:

• Your pack resets at the start of the next billing period
• You upgrade to a larger pack

Your instance keeps running normally — only LLM requests are affected. All other features (messaging, channels, automations) continue working.

Info: BYOK subscriptions do not have token limits on the ClawHosters side. Usage is tracked for your reference but never blocked.

BYOK vs Managed: Quick Comparison

	BYOK	Managed Pack
Cost	Free (you pay your provider)	€3–70/month
Model choice	Any model your key supports	Fixed model per tier
Token limits	None from ClawHosters	Pack-based (1M–15M)
Setup	Add your API key	Subscribe to a pack
Best for	Power users, specific model needs	Simplicity, predictable costs

Provider Failover

For managed packs, if the primary provider experiences downtime, the system automatically routes requests through a backup provider. This happens transparently — you do not need to do anything. Response quality stays the same because the backup uses an equivalent model.

BYOK requests use your key directly and do not have automatic failover.

Troubleshooting

"No LLM configured" error

• Verify you have an active LLM subscription or BYOK credential for this instance
• Check the add-ons page to confirm the subscription status is "Active"

BYOK key verification failed

• Double-check that you copied the full API key without extra spaces
• Make sure the key has not been revoked or expired at your provider
• Confirm the key has the correct permissions (most providers require at least chat/completions access)

"Usage limit exceeded" on managed pack

• Your pack's token allowance for this period is exhausted
• Upgrade to a larger pack or wait for the next billing cycle
• Consider switching to BYOK if you regularly exceed your limit

Slow responses

• Eco tier (DeepSeek) and Standard tier (Gemini) are generally fast
• Premium tier (Claude Haiku) may have slightly higher latency for complex requests
• Network conditions between ClawHosters infrastructure and the provider can affect speed

Related Docs

• Understanding Claws (Credits) — How the credit system works
• Billing Overview — Monthly vs daily billing explained
• Instance Overview — What runs inside your instance