OpenClaw Cost Optimization: The Complete Guide
OpenClaw sends every request to Claude Opus by default — even file reads and simple questions. That's like taking a helicopter to the corner store. Here's how to fix it.
The Problem: Opus for Everything
A typical OpenClaw session runs 50-200 API calls. At Opus pricing ($15/MTok input, $75/MTok output), a single coding session can cost $5-20. But 60-80% of those calls are simple tasks that a cheaper model handles identically.
Strategy 1: Intelligent Model Routing
RelayPlane's Relay Network analyzes each request and routes simple tasks to cheaper models automatically. No code changes needed.
# Install the proxy npm install -g @relayplane/proxy # Initialize (first-time setup) relayplane init # Point your tools at it export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=http://localhost:4100 export OPENAI_BASE_URL=http://localhost:4100 # Start the proxy relayplane start
40-60%
Cost reduction
0 lines
Code changes
Real-time
Cost dashboard
Strategy 2: Response Caching
OpenClaw often re-reads the same files multiple times in a session. RelayPlane caches identical requests, serving instant responses at zero cost for repeated queries.
# In ~/.relayplane/config.json, add:
{
"cache": {
"enabled": true,
"ttl": 300
}
}Strategy 3: Budget Controls
Set daily, weekly, or per-session spending limits. Get alerts before you hit them. Never wake up to a surprise bill again.
# In ~/.relayplane/config.json, add:
{
"budget": {
"daily": 10.00,
"alertAt": 0.8,
"action": "warn"
}
}Start Saving Today
Free tier includes 1,000 requests/day. No credit card required.