# One OpenAI credential between n8n and every model

> Markdown mirror of https://router.one/integrations/n8n for AI assistants and crawlers. Router One is an OpenAI-compatible LLM API gateway.
> Last updated: 2026-08-16

n8n is the workflow automation platform where AI steps meet real business processes — and every AI Agent or OpenAI node bills through whatever credential you plug in. n8n's OpenAI credential ships with a Base URL field that accepts any OpenAI-compatible endpoint: point it at Router One and one credential covers GPT, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek family models. n8n orchestrates the workflow; the gateway meters it — every step's model call lands in one ledger, and a per-key maxSpend cap keeps a scheduled workflow from silently overrunning its budget.

## Configure n8n to use the Router One base URL

In n8n, open Credentials → Add credential → OpenAI (or create one from the credential dropdown on any OpenAI or AI Agent node) and override the Base URL field — it defaults to api.openai.com and accepts any OpenAI-compatible endpoint:

`n8n-openai-credential`

```bash
# n8n → Credentials → Add credential → OpenAI
API Key:   sk-your-router-one-key
Base URL:  https://api.router.one/v1
# Organization ID: leave blank
# In the node: select this credential, set Model to <model-id-from-/models>
```

## Which model ID should n8n send?

Copy the exact model ID from the /models page — IDs are case-sensitive, and the page lists each model's context window, capabilities, and current per-token rates. Create a dedicated API key per tool with its own maxSpend cap, so one runaway tool can't affect other workloads.

## Verify the n8n call in your request trace

After your first request, open Dashboard → Logs to see its full trace: model, tokens, cost, latency, and status code. From here every n8n call has a ledger and a trail instead of being a black box.

## FAQ

### Which n8n nodes pick up this credential?

Every node that authenticates with n8n's OpenAI credential type — the OpenAI node and the OpenAI Chat Model behind AI Agent and LLM Chain nodes. Set the Base URL once in the credential; every workflow that selects it routes through the gateway, with no per-node changes.

### Which models can n8n use through the gateway?

Any chat-capable model in the catalog — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, GLM, and Kimi families. The /models page is the source of truth for model IDs and per-token rates.

### Does this work from Mainland China?

Yes. The gateway is reachable from Mainland China without a VPN, and the configuration is identical to the global setup.

### How do I debug a 401/403/429?

Open Dashboard → Logs first to see whether requests reached the gateway and with what status, then walk the error-codes reference to check env vars, key status, and limits.

## See also

- All integration guides: https://router.one/integrations
- Debug 401/403/429 in n8n: https://router.one/llm-api-error-codes
- Immersive Translate setup: https://router.one/integrations/immersive-translate
- Cline setup: https://router.one/integrations/cline
- What the gateway layer does: https://router.one/llm-api-gateway
- OpenAI-compatible API: https://router.one/openai-compatible-api
- API docs: https://router.one/docs
- Canonical page: https://router.one/integrations/n8n
- Models and per-model token rates: https://router.one/models (markdown: https://router.one/models.md)
- Pricing: https://router.one/pricing
- API docs (markdown): https://router.one/docs.md
- Company facts: https://router.one/facts/company.md