Supercharge Your HighLevel Workflows with OpenRouter AI Models

If you’ve ever wished your workflows could think before sending a message, you’re going to love what’s new in HighLevel. With the new OpenRouter integration, you can now plug in 300+ advanced AI models like GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and many more directly into your automations.

From generating personalized messages to summarizing form responses, OpenRouter gives HighLevel users a flexible way to automate smarter, faster, and more creatively.

Quick Takeaways

⚙️ Connect 300+ AI models (GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, etc.) to your workflows
🧠 Generate responses in real-time using prompt-based AI actions
💬 Automate SMS, WhatsApp, and emails with personalized content
🧪 Test actions live before publishing them
📝 Use workflow variables for fully tailored output
💲 Premium pricing applies for OpenRouter actions and AI usage
🔐 Requires your own OpenRouter API key

What is OpenRouter and Why Is It a Big Deal?

OpenRouter is a universal gateway to dozens of AI providers. Think of it as an “AI marketplace” where you can access top-tier models from OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), Cohere, Mistral, and more—all from a single API.

By integrating OpenRouter into HighLevel Workflows, users can:

Use AI-generated content inside automation sequences
Replace repetitive writing tasks with dynamic responses
Instantly create, summarize, or personalize messages at scale

Why does this change the game?

Before this integration, AI content in HighLevel was limited to predefined features like Content AI or Conversation AI. Now, you control the prompts, outputs, and flow—which is huge for marketers, agencies, and SaaS builders.

Real-World Examples of OpenRouter in Workflows

Let’s break it down with examples you can actually use:

1. Personalized SMS Follow-Ups

“Hey {{contact.first_name}}, thanks for booking a call! Here’s what to expect during your {{service.name}} consultation.”

Prompt Used:

“Write a friendly SMS follow-up message using {{contact.first_name}} and {{service.name}}. Keep it under 160 characters.”

2. Summarize Form Submissions

You get a detailed form and want to summarize it for your CRM notes.

Prompt Used:

“Summarize this form data in 3 bullets.”

3. Auto-Reply to Inbound Messages

Trigger a response when someone sends a WhatsApp or SMS.

Prompt:

“Act as a support agent. Respond kindly and professionally to this message: {{inbound_message}}.”

4. Dynamic Email Campaigns

“{{contact.first_name}}, here’s your tailored plan for {{goal}}.”

Prompt:

“Create a short marketing email explaining a 3-step solution to {{goal}}, written in a friendly, confident tone.”

Step-by-Step Guide to Using OpenRouter in HighLevel Workflows

You don’t need to be a developer to set this up. Here’s how to get started:

1. Go to Workflows

Navigate to Automations > Workflows
Select a workflow or create a new one

2. Add the OpenRouter Action

Click + Add Action
Search for OpenRouter and click it
If it’s your first time, click Connect Now and enter your OpenRouter API Key

3. Fill Out Action Settings

Model Selection: Choose a model like GPT-4, Claude, or Gemini
System Prompt (Optional): This sets the AI’s behavior
Example: “You are a helpful and concise customer support agent.”
Prompt (Required): This is your instruction, using static and dynamic text
Example: “Generate a follow-up message for {{contact.first_name}} based on their recent appointment about {{service.name}}.”

4. Test the Action

Click Test Action to preview the AI’s response. If it looks good, save it.

5. Use the Output

You can now insert the AI’s response into:

SMS
Emails
Custom fields
Conditional steps
Webhooks or other actions

Pricing Breakdown for OpenRouter in HighLevel

OpenRouter is a premium integration, so let’s clarify how pricing works.

🧾 HighLevel Charges

OpenRouter actions are Premium Workflow Actions, meaning:

You’ll be billed for automation usage, based on your plan’s limits or any overages.

💰 OpenRouter Usage Costs

OpenRouter charges per model/token usage, depending on what you choose. Here’s a snapshot:

Model	Cost (per 1K tokens)	Best For
GPT-3.5 Turbo	~$0.002	Fast, affordable basic responses
GPT-4 Turbo	~$0.01	Advanced understanding & creativity
Claude Instant	~$0.004	Balanced performance and speed
Claude 2.1	~$0.008 – $0.012	Deep context, long conversations
Gemini 1.5 Flash	~$0.0035	Fast, efficient tasks
Cohere Command R+	~$0.0015	Super cheap, good for structured tasks

💡 Tip: Always check OpenRouter’s pricing dashboard for the most accurate live rates.

Best Practices for OpenRouter Prompts in Workflows

To get high-quality results, your prompts matter. Here are expert tips:

✅ Use a clear and direct prompt

❌ “Write something good.”
✅ “Create a friendly SMS thanking {{contact.name}} for booking a demo.”

✅ Use the System Prompt to control tone or role

“You are a creative marketing assistant who writes catchy Instagram captions.”

✅ Keep prompts concise
Too much input = confusion. Stick to 1–2 clear goals per prompt.

✅ Use variables
Add personalization by inserting fields like

✅ Test multiple models
Some are better for speed, others for nuanced or long-form content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use workflow variables in prompts?

Yes. You can personalize content using supported variables like {{contact.first_name}}.

What’s the difference between Prompt and System Prompt?

Prompt: What you want the AI to do
System Prompt: The tone, role, or behavior of the AI

Is OpenRouter included in HighLevel plans?

No. OpenRouter usage is billed separately. You must bring your own API key and fund your usage directly through OpenRouter.

Do I need coding skills to use it?

Not at all. Everything is done inside the visual workflow builder.

Can I reuse the AI response later?

Yes. Save it to a custom field, or use it in follow-up steps or conditional branches.

Is this better than Conversation AI?

Different use case. Conversation AI is for chatbots and FAQs. OpenRouter is for dynamic content creation inside your workflow logic.

Final Thoughts

The OpenRouter + HighLevel integration is a major leap forward for automation and AI-powered marketing. Whether you’re creating smart replies, automating follow-ups, or building personalized workflows at scale, this feature helps you do it all—without leaving your dashboard or writing a single line of code.

It’s flexible, powerful, and open-ended—perfect for agencies, SaaS builders, coaches, and local businesses who want to leverage the best AI tools without being locked into one provider.

So if you’ve been waiting for a way to bring real AI muscle into your workflow automations…

👉 Head into your HighLevel Workflow Builder and search for “OpenRouter.”

Then let the AI do the heavy lifting—while you focus on growing.

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