Zhixun Chen | 陈峙寻

Preface: My Pitfall Experience

Hi everyone, I'm zhixun.

Recently I switched OpenClaw's MiniMax API from overseas version to domestic version, and it took me two whole days! The error messages were varied: first `LLM request timed out`, then `HTTP 404: 404 page not found`, and even encountered invalid configuration errors...

I believe many of you have encountered similar issues. Today I'm sharing the complete configuration solution to ensure you can successfully connect after reading this!

Why Choose Domestic MiniMax?

**Direct Network Connection**: No proxy needed, faster and more stable responses

**Compliant & Legal**: Use large model services through official channels

**Competitive Pricing**: More affordable compared to overseas version

Where Are the Config Files?

This is the first pitfall! OpenClaw has **two** config files that need modification, 99% of people only change the first one:

| Config File | Path | Purpose |

|------------|------|---------|

| Main Config | `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` | Global config |

| Agent Config | `~/.openclaw/agents/main/agent/models.json` | Current Agent config |

**Key Point**: Change both! Only changing one will cause config to not take effect.

Core Config Modification Steps

Step 1: Modify Main Config File

Open `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`, find `models.providers.minimax` node, modify the following:

```json

"minimax": {

"baseUrl": "https://api.minimaxi.com/v1",

"apiKey": "your domestic API Key",

"api": "openai-completions",

"authHeader": true,

"models": [...]

}

```

Step 2: Modify Agent Config File

Similarly open `~/.openclaw/agents/main/agent/models.json` and make similar changes.

Key Point: Why Use openai-completions?

This is the biggest pitfall! I initially configured `openai` and kept getting 404 errors.

Reason Analysis

OpenClaw supports limited API formats, it does **not** support `openai`, only:

`openai-completions` ✅

`openai-responses`

`anthropic-messages`

etc.

So domestic MiniMax must use `openai-completions`!

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue 1: HTTP 404 Error

**Solution**: Confirm `api` is set to `openai-completions` and `baseUrl` is `https://api.minimaxi.com/v1`

Issue 2: LLM request timed out

**Solution**: Disable proxy when starting Gateway:

```bash

export no_proxy="*"

export http_proxy=""

export https_proxy=""

~/.nvm/versions/node/v22.22.0/bin/openclaw gateway

```

Summary

Key points for configuring OpenClaw with MiniMax domestic API:

1. Change both config files

2. API endpoint: `https://api.minimaxi.com/v1`

3. API format: must use `openai-completions`

4. Disable proxy to avoid network issues

5. Restart Gateway after config changes

Hope this helps! Feel free to leave comments if you encounter other issues.

---

Welcome to leave comments if you have questions!

OpenClaw MiniMax API Configuration Guide