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ChatGPT and OpenRouter

What It Does​

These are CrabShack's two hosted, pay-per-account model options: OpenRouter, a pay-as-you-go gateway to hundreds of models from different providers, and ChatGPT Plus/Pro, which lets you use a subscription you're probably already paying for.

OpenRouter Keys​

OpenRouter is the default way most CrabShack agents reach hosted models like Claude, GPT, and Gemini. You can add more than one key — useful if you want separate billing for different teams or projects.

  1. Open Services and find the OpenRouter Keys section.
  2. Click Add OpenRouter Key, give it a name (for example, "Personal" or "Front Desk"), and paste the API key from your OpenRouter account.
  3. Click Save. One key is always marked Default — it's used when nothing more specific is chosen.
  4. Any non-default key can be removed later with the trash icon.

Connecting ChatGPT Plus/Pro (Codex)​

If you already pay for ChatGPT Plus or Pro, you can use that subscription in CrabShack instead of paying per message through another provider.

  1. Open Services and find the ChatGPT Accounts section.
  2. Give the connection a name and click Connect.
  3. You'll get a short code and a link — open the link (on any device) and enter the code, the same way you'd sign into a smart TV app.
  4. Come back to CrabShack — the connection completes automatically once you've approved it, and you'll see a confirmation with the connected account.

Models connected this way appear tagged Custom in the model picker. Because you're using a flat-rate subscription, there's no additional per-message AI credit cost for these models.

Scenario

A sole trader already pays for ChatGPT Plus for personal use. Instead of also paying OpenRouter for GPT access, they connect their ChatGPT account under Services and set it as their main agent's Primary model — getting GPT-level responses at no extra cost beyond what they already pay.

If This Goes Wrong​

  1. The connection code expires before you finish — just click Connect again to get a fresh code; nothing is lost.
  2. An OpenRouter key is rejected — double-check it was copied in full and hasn't been revoked in your OpenRouter account.
  3. "Custom" models don't show up after connecting ChatGPT — refresh the model picker; if they still don't appear, reconnect the account.