# How to use OpenClaw with Subconscious

> To use OpenClaw with Subconscious, add a `subconscious` provider under `models.providers` in `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` with base URL `https://api.subconscious.dev/v1` and `api: "openai-completions"`, then set the primary model to `subconscious/subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon`. OpenClaw reloads the config and runs on Subconscious.

Canonical page: https://www.subconscious.dev/agents/agent-harnesses/openclaw
Category: [Agent harnesses](https://www.subconscious.dev/agents/agent-harnesses)
Last verified: 2026-09-30
OpenClaw: https://openclaw.ai
Source: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw

## Before you start

- macOS, Linux or Windows (WSL)
- A Subconscious account and API key

## Set up OpenClaw

### 1. Install OpenClaw

The installer sets up the CLI and the local Gateway daemon.

```bash
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
```

### 2. Create a Subconscious API key

Sign in at https://platform.subconscious.dev, create an API key, and export it so the tool can read it.

```bash
export SUBCONSCIOUS_API_KEY="your_key"
```

### 3. Add Subconscious as a provider

The config is JSON5 and hot-reloaded. Model references split on the first slash, so the primary model needs the provider name in front of the full Subconscious model ID.

```json5
{
  agents: {
    defaults: { model: { primary: "subconscious/subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon" } },
  },
  models: {
    mode: "merge",
    providers: {
      subconscious: {
        baseUrl: "https://api.subconscious.dev/v1",
        apiKey: "${SUBCONSCIOUS_API_KEY}",
        api: "openai-completions",
        models: [{ id: "subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon", name: "GLM-5.3 Marathon" }],
      },
    },
  },
}
```

### 4. Check the setup

openclaw doctor validates the config. You can also edit it from the Control UI at http://127.0.0.1:18789.

```bash
openclaw doctor
```

## Connection details

- OpenAI-compatible base URL: https://api.subconscious.dev/v1
- Anthropic-compatible base URL: https://api.subconscious.dev
- API key: From subc login or the Subconscious dashboard
- Model: subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon
- Multimodal, high-throughput model: subconscious/deepseek-v4.1-flash-marathon

Full API reference: https://docs.subconscious.dev

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does the OpenClaw model reference repeat "subconscious"?

OpenClaw reads everything before the first slash as the provider name. The first subconscious is your provider entry; the rest, subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon, is the model ID sent to the API.

### Which Subconscious model should I use with OpenClaw?

Start with subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon, an open frontier coding model built for long agent runs. subconscious/deepseek-v4.1-flash-marathon is a cheaper, high-throughput alternative that also takes image input. Use the full model ID, including the subconscious/ prefix.

### Is OpenClaw on Subconscious OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible?

This guide connects OpenClaw through the OpenAI-compatible Subconscious API. Subconscious serves both formats: OpenAI Chat Completions at https://api.subconscious.dev/v1 and Anthropic Messages at https://api.subconscious.dev.

### How is OpenClaw usage on Subconscious billed?

Per token by default, with no commitment. Heavy users can switch to a monthly token plan: a fixed price for a large daily token allowance shared across your team.