If your Claude account has been suspended or you want to avoid Anthropic suspending your account, we have the solution: You can connect ChatGPT to Open Claw – officially permitted by OpenAI and significantly cheaper than the Claude API.
As of February 18, 2026, Anthropic has officially clarified that using Claude subscriptions with Open Claw is prohibited and will result in account suspension. OpenAI expressly allows it, and you can save up to $33,600/year.
Update October 2026: Since April 4, 2026, Anthropic has enforced the rule technically as well. Claude Pro and Max can no longer be used directly in OpenClaw; Claude is only available there via an API key with usage-based billing. The ChatGPT login still works officially, but the commands have changed. The guide below has been updated. For context: OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger has worked at OpenAI since February 2026. For the full picture on version 2.0, costs and security, see our article OpenClaw explained: costs, risks & setup.
Why Anthropic suspends Claude accounts when Open Claw is used
The official statement from Anthropic
Anthropic has made it unmistakably clear in a legal and compliance document:
The use of Claude subscriptions with tools such as Open Claw is not permitted for:
- Claude Free ($0/month)
- Claude Pro ($20/month)
- Claude Max (from $100/month)
- Claude Team (from $25 per user/month)
Consequence: Account suspension without warning.
A clear AI strategy and its implementation are crucial, especially for productive AI setups.
The background story: Anthropic vs. Open Claw
Peter Steinberger, the founder of Open Claw, has already made it public several times that Anthropic's communication with him is exclusively through legal threats.
What has happened so far:
- Anthropic forced Peter to give up the name “Clawdbot.”
- They prevented the forwarding of the old domain.
- Users had a harder time finding the renamed project
- Now: Complete ban on subscription use
In his Lex Fridman interview, Peter said, “The only messages from Anthropic are legal love letters.”
The real problem: Exploding API costs
The reason so many users wanted to use their Claude subscription with Open Claw: Official API usage is extremely expensive.
Real costs from the community:
Light users:
- ~$20/day
- = $600/month
- = $7,200/year
Heavy users:
- ~$100/day
- = $3,000/month
- = $36,000/year
For a tool that is still so new that most people are just testing it, these costs are absurdly high.
The solution: Connect ChatGPT with Open Claw (officially permitted)
OpenAI expressly permits this
When Peter Steinberger posted the Anthropic ban on Twitter, OpenAI responded promptly: Sam Altman gave the green light.
You may connect your ChatGPT subscription with Open Claw – officially and legally.
The difference to Anthropic:
Anthropic:
- Prohibits subscription use
- Threatens to block accounts
- No communication, only lawyers
-
OpenAI:
- Explicitly allows subscription use
- Clear, public communication
- Developer-friendly
-
Which ChatGPT subscription do you need?
There are two options available:
ChatGPT Plus:
- $20/month
- Sufficient for most Open Claw users
- Standard token limits
-
ChatGPT Pro:
- $200/month
- For heavy users
- Higher token limits
- More requests per hour
Instructions: Connect ChatGPT to Open Claw
Quick CLI method (5 minutes)
Step 1: Select OpenAI as your provider
openclaw onboard --auth-choice openai
Step 2: Log in to your browser
A browser window will open automatically:
- Sign in to ChatGPT
- Confirm “Sign into Codex with ChatGPT”
- Wait for “Authentication successful”
Step 3: Set the default model
openclaw models set openai/gpt-6-astra
Step 4: Restart the gateway
openclaw gateway restart
Step 5: Test
openclaw models status --plain
Expected output: openai/gpt-6-astra
✓ Done! You are now using ChatGPT instead of Claude.
Set up back in February? Older setups still use entries such as openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex. These are now considered legacy. This command migrates them automatically:
openclaw doctor --fix
Detailed instructions for beginners
Step 1: Open terminal
- Mac: Spotlight (Cmd + Space) → “Terminal”
- Windows: Windows key + R → “wsl”
- Linux/VPS: SSH connection
Step 2: Start onboarding
openclaw onboard --auth-choice openai
Follow the prompts:
- “Do you understand this is risky?” →
yes - “Onboarding mode?” →
quick start - “Config handling?” →
use existing values
Step 3: OAuth login
Browser opens → Log in to ChatGPT → Confirm
Step 4-5: Complete configuration
openclaw models set openai/gpt-6-astraopenclaw gateway restart
Step 6: Verify
Open Claw opens and asks: “Can you confirm we are now able to use my OpenAI subscription?”
Cost comparison: This is what you really save
Before: Claude API
- Light user: $600/month = $7,200/year
- Heavy user: $3,000/month = $36,000/year
-
After: ChatGPT subscription
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/month = $240/year
- ChatGPT Pro: $200/month = $2,400/year
-
Savings:
- Light user with Plus: $6,960/year
- Heavy user with Pro: $33,600/year
-
The migration pays off from day one.
Important pro tip
NEVER make configuration changes directly in Open Claw itself.
Instead, use:
- Terminal (for CLI commands)
- VS Code (for config files)
Why? Otherwise, Open Claw may lock itself out and the gateway will need to be restarted.
Common problems and solutions
Problem: “Authentication failed”
Solution
- Log in manually at chatgpt.com
- Try the command again
- Allow pop-ups for localhost
Problem: “Gateway not responding”
Solution
openclaw gateway restart
Problem: “Token limit exceeded”
Solution Wait a few hours or upgrade to ChatGPT Pro
What should you do now?
Option 1: Switch completely to OpenAI
- Sign up for ChatGPT Plus or Pro
- Switch Open Claw to OpenAI (instructions above)
- Cancel your Claude account
Savings: ~$580/month (light user)
Option 2: Hybrid approach
- OpenAI subscription for Open Claw
- Claude API for specific tasks (where Claude is better)
Best performance, predictable costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to use ChatGPT subscriptions?
Yes, OpenAI has publicly confirmed this via Peter Steinberger.
What happens if I continue to use Claude?
Via the subscription, that no longer works since April 4, 2026. With an API key you can keep using Claude in OpenClaw, but you pay per use.
Do I have to rebuild my automations?
No, everything will remain the same. Open Claw works with OpenAI just as it does with Claude.
Which model should I use?
We recommend: openai/gpt-6-astra
Plus or Pro?
- Plus ($20/month): Sufficient for most users
- Pro ($200/month): For heavy users with many requests
How long does the migration take?
- Experienced users: 5 minutes
- Beginners: 15-30 minutes
bakedwith supports migration
We help companies switch from Claude to OpenAI:
- Complete setup of OpenAI + Open Claw
- Migration of existing workflows
- Security audits
- Integration with n8n/Make
- Team training
Summary
The problem
- Anthropic locks Claude accounts with Open Claw
- API costs up to $3,000/month
The solution
- OpenAI allows ChatGPT subscriptions
- Migration takes 5-30 minutes
- Saves up to $33,600/year
-
The commands
openclaw onboard --auth-choice openaiopenclaw models set openai/gpt-6-astraopenclaw gateway restart
Next Steps:
- Sign up for ChatGPT Plus or Pro
- Perform migration
- Cancel Claude account (optional)
Disclaimer: Originally published on February 18, 2026, updated in October 2026. Always check the current Terms of Service. bakedwith assumes no liability for account suspensions.
Note: There are affiliate links in this article. If you make a purchase using these links, we'll earn a small commission. Of course, the price won't change for you.
Posted by:
Jens is the co-founder of bakedwith, a boutique consultancy firm specialising in smart automation and AI. He helps medium-sized companies and corporations to optimise processes, reduce manual work and achieve growth through efficient workflows. Previously, he was Growth Lead at OMR and worked as a freelancer, helping numerous companies optimise their CRM and automation systems. Jens is passionate about combining growth and efficiency to enable teams to focus on what matters most.
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