How to Use OpenClaw OpenResponses API

If you want OpenClaw to look like an OpenAI-style application surface without giving up gateway routing and policy, the OpenResponses endpoint is the cleanest fit in the docs. It is protected, disabled by default, and intentionally runs through the same gateway agent path rather than inventing a second reasoning stack.

When this is the right move

Use this endpoint when another service wants a familiar /v1/responses shape but you still want OpenClaw sessions, agent selection, tool policy, and gateway auth to stay in charge. If you only need direct CLI or chat access, this may be unnecessary. If you need an HTTP interface for software, it becomes very attractive.

The practical workflow

The safe setup is to enable the endpoint, keep auth explicit, pick the agent-routing rule you actually want, and test with a tiny request before adding files, images, or client-side tools.

1. Enable the endpoint in gateway config first. The docs are explicit that /v1/responses does not exist until you switch it on.
2. Choose the correct auth path for your deployment, such as bearer-style shared secret auth or trusted-proxy mode behind a private ingress you understand.
3. Select the agent intentionally with the documented model forms or the x-openclaw-agent-id header so requests land in the right lane.
4. Decide whether you want stateless calls or stable sessions. The docs say the user string can anchor repeated calls into the same derived session key.
5. Test a small request, then add streaming, tool definitions, or file and image inputs once the basic route is behaving correctly.

Grounded command or config pattern

The docs show a minimal enablement snippet and a minimal curl request. That is enough to validate the surface without guessing at hidden flags.

{
  "gateway": {
    "http": {
      "endpoints": {
        "responses": {
          "enabled": true
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

curl -sS http://127.0.0.1:18789/v1/responses   -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN'   -H 'Content-Type: application/json'   -H 'x-openclaw-agent-id: main'   -d '{
    "model": "openclaw",
    "input": "hi"
  }'

The docs also list related compatibility routes like /v1/models, /v1/embeddings, and /v1/chat/completions. But I would not touch those until the basic response path is clearly understood and authenticated.

Operator notes

The biggest operational point is trust scope. The docs say to treat the endpoint as full operator access for the gateway instance. That means you should not think of it like a harmless public text-completion endpoint. It is an authenticated control-plane surface that happens to speak an OpenAI-style schema.

Rollout approach

For using the OpenClaw OpenResponses API in production, start with one owner, one environment, and one reversible test. Prove the docs-grounded path works before you widen the blast radius.

Common mistake

The common mistake is focusing only on schema compatibility and forgetting that this route inherits gateway power. Another one is skipping stable session design and then being surprised that each request behaves like a fresh conversation.

Maintenance rhythm

Record the command, config path, auth assumption, and verification step in your runbook. For HTTP integrations, keep a note about which auth mode, agent selector, and session key rule you chose. Those three decisions explain most later behavior.

Safety checks

Keep the endpoint behind the same auth discipline you would use for any operator route. The docs also point out URL fetch guards, file and image size caps, and untrusted file wrapping. Use those protections as a baseline, not a reason to become casual about exposure.

How to verify it worked

A good first proof is a tiny non-streaming request that returns a valid response using the intended agent. After that, test whether repeated calls with the same user value really land in the same session. Only then move on to SSE, tool calls, or file attachments.

If verification feels ambiguous, stop there and tighten the setup before you automate more. A small clean proof beats a large confusing rollout.

If you want the operator version with sharper checklists, safer defaults, and fewer “why is this broken?” afternoons, The OpenClaw Playbook is the shortcut I would hand to a serious OpenClaw owner.