Step 7 of 9
Optimize Your Spending
OpenClaw can be very cheap or surprisingly expensive depending on how you use it. Let's set up smart defaults so you get maximum value without surprise bills.
Understanding AI API Costs
How Pricing Works
AI APIs charge by the token. Think of tokens as pieces of words:
- • ~100 tokens ≈ 75 words
- • You pay for input tokens (what you send)
- • You pay for output tokens (what the AI responds)
- • Longer conversations = more tokens = higher cost
Cost-Saving Strategies
1. Use Cheaper Models for Simple Tasks
Set different models for different tasks. Use GPT-4o mini for heartbeats and routine checks:
openclaw config set agents.defaults.heartbeat.model 'openai/gpt-4o-mini' 2. Monitor Your Usage
Check your status regularly to see costs:
openclaw status 3. Use Local Models When Possible
If you have a good GPU, run local models via Ollama. Zero API costs, complete privacy. Trade-off: less capable but improving fast.
4. Be Selective with Web Search
Brave gives 2,000 free searches/month. Use them wisely. Don't search when you already have the context in memory.
Typical Monthly Costs
What's Next?
Your costs are now optimized! Next, let's collect some helpful prompts that work well with OpenClaw so you don't have to figure them out from scratch.