ClawRouter continues consuming credits despite primary model set to Codex

[crazy2705]

ClawRouter continues consuming credits despite primary model set to Codex

Problem Description

After configuring openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex as the primary model in the configuration file, ClawRouter continues to intercept and consume credits for every request, completely ignoring the model setting.

Documented Credit Loss

Time | Remaining Credit | Loss -- | -- | -- 11:42 | $5.45 | - 11:56 | $4.02 | -$1.43 12:01 | $3.78 | -$0.24 12:07 | $3.19 | -$0.59 Total |   | -$2.26+

Current Configuration (agents.defaults.model)

{
  "primary": "codex",
  "fallbacks": ["auto", "openrouter/auto", "gemini-2.5-flash"]
}

Expected Behavior

• Requests should use OpenAI Codex (OAuth authentication, included in subscription)
• No ClawRouter credit consumption for normal chat requests

Actual Behavior

• [ClawRouter] Received model: "auto" in logs despite primary: "codex"
• Usage of paid models (xai/grok-4-fast-reasoning, moonshot/kimi-k2.5)
• Cost per call: ~$0.0033
• Current session shows model: "auto" instead of "codex"

Relevant Logs

[ClawRouter] Received model: "auto" -> normalized: "auto", isAuto: true
[ClawRouter] Tools detected (23), forcing agentic mode
[ClawRouter] Trying model 1/2: moonshot/kimi-k2.5
[ClawRouter] Success with model: moonshot/kimi-k2.5
[plugins] [REASONING] moonshot/kimi-k2.5 $0.0033 (saved 99%)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Configure primary: "codex" in agents.defaults.model
2. Restart OpenClaw (SIGUSR1)
3. Verify session_status shows model: "openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex"
4. Execute any request
5. Observe logs still show [ClawRouter] Received model: "auto"

Attempted Solutions

• Changed primary from blockrun/auto to codex
• Removed auto from fallbacks
• Set session_status with model: "codex" for current session
• Restarted OpenClaw multiple times
• Completely disabled ClawRouter plugin - not attempted for fear of losing functionality

Environment

• OpenClaw Version: 2026.2.9 (33c75cb)
• OS: Linux 6.12.63+deb13-amd64 (x64)
• Node: v22.22.0

Additional Context

The issue appears to be that even when the session status shows the correct model (openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex), the underlying tool calls or agent processing still routes through ClawRouter with model: "auto". This suggests the model override is not being properly propagated to all subsystems, particularly when tools are involved ("Tools detected (23), forcing agentic mode").

Possible Root Causes

1. Tool calls force agentic mode which overrides user model preference
2. Session model override doesn't propagate to ClawRouter plugin
3. auto alias in fallbacks causes ClawRouter to activate despite primary being set
4. Configuration patch applies to defaults but active sessions retain cached model

Request

Please investigate why ClawRouter continues to intercept requests when a specific non-ClawRouter primary model is configured. The expected behavior is that explicit model selection should bypass ClawRouter entirely unless explicitly requested via /model auto.

[michaellinhq]

Hi, I reviewed 'ClawRouter continues consuming credits despite primary model set to Codex' and can start immediately. I can deliver a first usable version quickly and iterate based on your feedback. If this scope still matches your priority, I can proceed right away.

[crazy2705]

I cannot confirm the analysis because the selected model was working and it's reported in various official soures
https://docs.openclaw.ai/providers/openai
{
agents: { defaults: { model: { primary: "openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex" } } },
}

My wallet is 0xdC10bb5B851D46A42AddF2dDC8bc02BC95fDc315
I spent 65$ in less than 4 days.

Thanks for your support, in case let me know.