OpenRouter tutorials

Your OpenRouter integration starts here.

Python, JavaScript, or Rust? Use practical code that connects one application to GPT, Claude, and other models through a single API.

Build the first working call today.

Browse tutorials Get code samples
router_example.py 
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
    api_key="YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY"
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet",
    messages=[{"role": "user",
               "content": "Summarise this issue."}]
)

# Change one string to test another model.
print(response.choices[0].message.content)
Choose your route

Learn the parts that matter.

Each guide focuses on a working integration detail, with logging, error handling, and model choices included.

Python
Intermediate · 12 min read

Rate limits and retries that behave

Handle temporary failures without repeating a charge or losing the request context.

Read the guide
JavaScript
Beginner · 9 min read

Build a model-aware chatbot

Keep conversation history clean while routing short prompts and long context to the right model.

Read the guide
Rust
Advanced · 18 min read

High-performance streaming

Send partial responses to the interface while keeping a Rust service responsive under load.

Read the guide
Python
Intermediate · 14 min read

Move an OpenAI client to OpenRouter

Change the base URL, preserve your message format, then add model selection with minimal refactoring.

Read the guide
JavaScript
Intermediate · 11 min read

Keep API keys out of the browser

Place the provider call behind a small server route and return only the data your client needs.

Read the guide
Rust
Advanced · 16 min read

Fallback routing for production calls

Set a clear retry boundary and move to a second model when the first response fails.

Read the guide
Stack comparison

Which SDK fits your stack?

Start with the client your team can test quickly. Move deeper when performance or control calls for it.

Capability Python Recommended start JavaScript Rust
First requestVery easyEasyModerate
ThroughputHighHighVery high
Streaming supportBuilt inBuilt inBuilt in
Community librariesWide rangeWide rangeFocused set
Best first projectScripts and APIsWeb applicationsLow-latency services
Prefer visual tools? Read our no-code integration guide. See the guide
LLM integration examples

See the request pattern.

These small examples show the decisions that change when one codebase speaks to several models.

# One client, one model string.
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="openai/gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)

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Developer notes

Devs are shipping faster.

Good examples remove hesitation at the exact point a build gets stuck.

"The Python retry example saved our launch. We went live with clear logs, a sensible fallback, and confidence in the first production call."
Biory Kassardjian
Backend Lead at OhioTech
Keep building

Want more than code?

Choose the next guide around your product decision, then return when you are ready for another implementation detail.

Chatbot routing patterns

Keep intent detection, model choice, and conversation state in separate layers.

A/B testing infrastructure

Compare model responses with repeatable prompts, useful events, and clean outcome data.

Explore all guides

See how OpenRouter-Blog explains model access, routing choices, and practical adoption.