openrouter-typescript-sdk

openrouter-typescript-sdk

OpenRouter TypeScript SDK

A comprehensive TypeScript SDK for interacting with OpenRouter's unified API, providing access to 300+ AI models through a single, type-safe interface. This skill enables AI agents to leverage the callModel pattern for text generation, tool usage, streaming, and multi-turn conversations.

Installation

npm install @openrouter/sdk

Setup

Get your API key from openrouter.ai/settings/keys, then initialize:

import OpenRouter from '@openrouter/sdk';

const client = new OpenRouter({
  apiKey: process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY
});

Authentication

The SDK supports two authentication methods: API keys for server-side applications and OAuth PKCE flow for user-facing applications.

API Key Authentication

The primary authentication method uses API keys from your OpenRouter account.

Obtaining an API Key

• Visit openrouter.ai/settings/keys

• Create a new API key

• Store securely in an environment variable

Environment Setup

export OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-v1-your-key-here

Client Initialization

import OpenRouter from '@openrouter/sdk';

const client = new OpenRouter({
  apiKey: process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY
});

The client automatically uses this key for all subsequent requests:

// API key is automatically included
const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Hello!'
});

Get Current Key Metadata

Retrieve information about the currently configured API key:

const keyInfo = await client.apiKeys.getCurrentKeyMetadata();
console.log('Key name:', keyInfo.name);
console.log('Created:', keyInfo.createdAt);

API Key Management

Programmatically manage API keys:

// List all keys
const keys = await client.apiKeys.list();

// Create a new key
const newKey = await client.apiKeys.create({
  name: 'Production API Key'
});

// Get a specific key by hash
const key = await client.apiKeys.get({
  hash: 'sk-or-v1-...'
});

// Update a key
await client.apiKeys.update({
  hash: 'sk-or-v1-...',
  requestBody: {
    name: 'Updated Key Name'
  }
});

// Delete a key
await client.apiKeys.delete({
  hash: 'sk-or-v1-...'
});

OAuth Authentication (PKCE Flow)

For user-facing applications where users should control their own API keys, OpenRouter supports OAuth with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange). This flow allows users to generate API keys through a browser authorization flow without your application handling their credentials.

createAuthCode

Generate an authorization code and URL to start the OAuth flow:

const authResponse = await client.oAuth.createAuthCode({
  callbackUrl: 'https://myapp.com/auth/callback'
});

// authResponse contains:
// - authorizationUrl: URL to redirect the user to
// - code: The authorization code for later exchange

console.log('Redirect user to:', authResponse.authorizationUrl);

Parameters:

Parameter Type Required Description

callbackUrl string Yes Your application's callback URL after user authorization

Browser Redirect:

// In a browser environment
window.location.href = authResponse.authorizationUrl;

// Or in a server-rendered app, return a redirect response
res.redirect(authResponse.authorizationUrl);

exchangeAuthCodeForAPIKey

After the user authorizes your application, they are redirected back to your callback URL with an authorization code. Exchange this code for an API key:

// In your callback handler
const code = req.query.code;  // From the redirect URL

const apiKeyResponse = await client.oAuth.exchangeAuthCodeForAPIKey({
  code: code
});

// apiKeyResponse contains:
// - key: The user's API key
// - Additional metadata about the key

const userApiKey = apiKeyResponse.key;

// Store securely for this user's future requests
await saveUserApiKey(userId, userApiKey);

Parameters:

Parameter Type Required Description

code string Yes The authorization code from the OAuth redirect

Complete OAuth Flow Example

import OpenRouter from '@openrouter/sdk';
import express from 'express';

const app = express();
const client = new OpenRouter({
  apiKey: process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY  // Your app's key for OAuth operations
});

// Step 1: Initiate OAuth flow
app.get('/auth/start', async (req, res) => {
  const authResponse = await client.oAuth.createAuthCode({
    callbackUrl: 'https://myapp.com/auth/callback'
  });

  // Store any state needed for the callback
  req.session.oauthState = { /* ... */ };

  // Redirect user to OpenRouter authorization page
  res.redirect(authResponse.authorizationUrl);
});

// Step 2: Handle callback and exchange code
app.get('/auth/callback', async (req, res) => {
  const { code } = req.query;

  if (!code) {
    return res.status(400).send('Authorization code missing');
  }

  try {
    const apiKeyResponse = await client.oAuth.exchangeAuthCodeForAPIKey({
      code: code as string
    });

    // Store the user's API key securely
    await saveUserApiKey(req.session.userId, apiKeyResponse.key);

    res.redirect('/dashboard?auth=success');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('OAuth exchange failed:', error);
    res.redirect('/auth/error');
  }
});

// Step 3: Use the user's API key for their requests
app.post('/api/chat', async (req, res) => {
  const userApiKey = await getUserApiKey(req.session.userId);

  // Create a client with the user's key
  const userClient = new OpenRouter({
    apiKey: userApiKey
  });

  const result = userClient.callModel({
    model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
    input: req.body.message
  });

  const text = await result.getText();
  res.json({ response: text });
});

Security Best Practices

• Environment Variables: Store API keys in environment variables, never in code

• Key Rotation: Rotate keys periodically using the key management API

• Environment Separation: Use different keys for development, staging, and production

• OAuth for Users: Use the OAuth PKCE flow for user-facing apps to avoid handling user credentials

• Secure Storage: Store user API keys encrypted in your database

• Minimal Scope: Create keys with only the permissions needed

Core Concepts: callModel

The callModel function is the primary interface for text generation. It provides a unified, type-safe way to interact with any supported model.

Basic Usage

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Explain quantum computing in one sentence.',
});

const text = await result.getText();

Key Benefits

• Type-safe parameters with full IDE autocomplete

• Auto-generated from OpenAPI specs - automatically updates with new models

• Multiple consumption patterns - text, streaming, structured data

• Automatic tool execution with multi-turn support

Input Formats

The SDK accepts flexible input types for the input parameter:

String Input

A simple string becomes a user message:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Hello, how are you?'
});

Message Arrays

For multi-turn conversations:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: [
    { role: 'user', content: 'What is the capital of France?' },
    { role: 'assistant', content: 'The capital of France is Paris.' },
    { role: 'user', content: 'What is its population?' }
  ]
});

Multimodal Content

Including images and text:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: [
    {
      role: 'user',
      content: [
        { type: 'text', text: 'What is in this image?' },
        { type: 'image_url', image_url: { url: 'https://example.com/image.png' } }
      ]
    }
  ]
});

System Instructions

Use the instructions parameter for system-level guidance:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  instructions: 'You are a helpful coding assistant. Be concise.',
  input: 'How do I reverse a string in Python?'
});

Response Methods

The result object provides multiple methods for consuming the response:

Method Purpose

getText() Get complete text after all tools complete

getResponse() Full response object with token usage

getTextStream() Stream text deltas as they arrive

getReasoningStream() Stream reasoning tokens (for o1/reasoning models)

getToolCallsStream() Stream tool calls as they complete

getText()

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Write a haiku about coding'
});

const text = await result.getText();
console.log(text);

getResponse()

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Hello!'
});

const response = await result.getResponse();
console.log('Text:', response.text);
console.log('Token usage:', response.usage);

getTextStream()

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Write a short story'
});

for await (const delta of result.getTextStream()) {
  process.stdout.write(delta);
}

Tool System

Create strongly-typed tools using Zod schemas for automatic validation and type inference.

Defining Tools

import { tool } from '@openrouter/sdk';
import { z } from 'zod';

const weatherTool = tool({
  name: 'get_weather',
  description: 'Get current weather for a location',
  inputSchema: z.object({
    location: z.string().describe('City name'),
    units: z.enum(['celsius', 'fahrenheit']).optional().default('celsius')
  }),
  outputSchema: z.object({
    temperature: z.number(),
    conditions: z.string(),
    humidity: z.number()
  }),
  execute: async (params) => {
    // Implement weather fetching logic
    return {
      temperature: 22,
      conditions: 'Sunny',
      humidity: 45
    };
  }
});

Using Tools with callModel

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'What is the weather in Paris?',
  tools: [weatherTool]
});

const text = await result.getText();
// The SDK automatically executes the tool and continues the conversation

Tool Types

Regular Tools

Standard execute functions that return a result:

const calculatorTool = tool({
  name: 'calculate',
  description: 'Perform mathematical calculations',
  inputSchema: z.object({
    expression: z.string()
  }),
  execute: async ({ expression }) => {
    return { result: eval(expression) };
  }
});

Generator Tools

Yield progress events using eventSchema:

const searchTool = tool({
  name: 'web_search',
  description: 'Search the web',
  inputSchema: z.object({ query: z.string() }),
  eventSchema: z.object({
    type: z.literal('progress'),
    message: z.string()
  }),
  outputSchema: z.object({ results: z.array(z.string()) }),
  execute: async function* ({ query }) {
    yield { type: 'progress', message: 'Searching...' };
    yield { type: 'progress', message: 'Processing results...' };
    return { results: ['Result 1', 'Result 2'] };
  }
});

Manual Tools

Set execute: false to handle tool calls yourself:

const manualTool = tool({
  name: 'user_confirmation',
  description: 'Request user confirmation',
  inputSchema: z.object({ message: z.string() }),
  execute: false
});

Multi-Turn Conversations with Stop Conditions

Control automatic tool execution with stop conditions:

import { stepCountIs, maxCost, hasToolCall } from '@openrouter/sdk';

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5.2',
  input: 'Research this topic thoroughly',
  tools: [searchTool, analyzeTool],
  stopWhen: [
    stepCountIs(10),      // Stop after 10 turns
    maxCost(1.00),        // Stop if cost exceeds $1.00
    hasToolCall('finish') // Stop when 'finish' tool is called
  ]
});

Available Stop Conditions

Condition Description

stepCountIs(n) Stop after n turns

maxCost(amount) Stop when cost exceeds amount

hasToolCall(name) Stop when specific tool is called

Custom Stop Conditions

const customStop = (context) => {
  return context.messages.length > 20;
};

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Complex task',
  tools: [myTool],
  stopWhen: customStop
});

Dynamic Parameters

Compute parameters based on conversation context:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: (ctx) => ctx.numberOfTurns > 3 ? 'openai/gpt-4' : 'openai/gpt-4o-mini',
  temperature: (ctx) => ctx.numberOfTurns > 1 ? 0.3 : 0.7,
  input: 'Hello!'
});

Context Object Properties

Property Type Description

numberOfTurns number Current turn count

messages array All messages so far

instructions string Current system instructions

totalCost number Accumulated cost

nextTurnParams: Context Injection

Tools can modify parameters for subsequent turns, enabling skills and context-aware behavior:

const skillTool = tool({
  name: 'load_skill',
  description: 'Load a specialized skill',
  inputSchema: z.object({
    skill: z.string().describe('Name of the skill to load')
  }),
  nextTurnParams: {
    instructions: (params, context) => {
      const skillInstructions = loadSkillInstructions(params.skill);
      return `${context.instructions}\n\n${skillInstructions}`;
    }
  },
  execute: async ({ skill }) => {
    return { loaded: skill };
  }
});

Use Cases for nextTurnParams

• Skill Systems: Dynamically load specialized capabilities

• Context Accumulation: Build up context over multiple turns

• Mode Switching: Change model behavior mid-conversation

• Memory Injection: Add retrieved context to instructions

Generation Parameters

Control model behavior with these parameters:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Write a creative story',
  temperature: 0.7,        // Creativity (0-2, default varies by model)
  maxOutputTokens: 1000,   // Maximum tokens to generate
  topP: 0.9,               // Nucleus sampling parameter
  frequencyPenalty: 0.5,   // Reduce repetition
  presencePenalty: 0.5,    // Encourage new topics
  stop: ['\n\n']           // Stop sequences
});

Streaming

All streaming methods support concurrent consumers from a single result object:

const result = client.callModel({
  model: 'openai/gpt-5-nano',
  input: 'Write a detailed explanation'
});

// Consumer 1: Stream text to console
const textPromise = (async () => {
  for await (const delta of result.getTextStream()) {
    process.stdout.write(delta);
  }
})();

// Consumer 2: Get full response simultaneously
const responsePromise = result.getResponse();

// Both run concurrently
const [, response] = await Promise.all([textPromise, responsePromise]);
console.log('\n\nTotal tokens:', response.usage.totalTokens);

Streaming Tool Calls

const result = client.callModel({


...