openclaw-switch
Manage multi-provider model switching and fallback chains in OpenClaw. "OpenClaw Switch" helps users set up automatic model failover (e.g. 429 rate-limit → fallback), switch primary models, view current fallback chains, and configure heartbeat/subagent routing. Works with any provider (Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic, NVIDIA, Ollama, etc.).
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/openclaw-switch/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How openclaw-switch Compares
| Feature / Agent | openclaw-switch | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | multi | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Manage multi-provider model switching and fallback chains in OpenClaw. "OpenClaw Switch" helps users set up automatic model failover (e.g. 429 rate-limit → fallback), switch primary models, view current fallback chains, and configure heartbeat/subagent routing. Works with any provider (Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic, NVIDIA, Ollama, etc.).
Which AI agents support this skill?
This skill is compatible with multi.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# OpenClaw Switch
The missing model manager for OpenClaw. Switch models, visualize fallback chains, and manage multi-provider setups.
## Quick start
```bash
# Show current model, fallback chain, heartbeat & subagent config
bash {baseDir}/scripts/openclaw-switch.sh status
# List all available models across all providers
bash {baseDir}/scripts/openclaw-switch.sh list
# Switch primary model (by number from list)
bash {baseDir}/scripts/openclaw-switch.sh switch 2
# Show fallback chain only
bash {baseDir}/scripts/openclaw-switch.sh fallback
```
## How it works
OpenClaw natively supports `model.fallbacks` — when the primary model returns an error (429, 500, etc.), the next model in the chain is tried automatically. OpenClaw Switch helps users **configure, visualize, and toggle** this chain.
### Typical setup
Register multiple providers in `openclaw.json`, each with its own API key:
```json
{
"models": {
"providers": {
"provider-a": { "apiKey": "...", "models": [{ "id": "model-1" }] },
"provider-b": { "apiKey": "...", "models": [{ "id": "model-2" }] }
}
},
"agents": {
"defaults": {
"model": {
"primary": "provider-a/model-1",
"fallbacks": ["provider-b/model-2"]
}
}
}
}
```
### Use cases
- **Same provider, two API keys** (e.g. paid + free Gemini) — register as separate providers
- **Cross-provider failover** (e.g. Gemini → OpenAI → local Ollama)
- **Cost optimization** — route heartbeat/subagents to cheaper or free models
## Security
The bundled script:
- **Never transmits** API keys or config data over the network
- **Never logs** full API keys (masks all but first 8 chars)
- Uses only `bash` + `python3` stdlib — **zero external dependencies**
- Source is < 150 lines — **fully auditable in 2 minutes**