First Step After Install: Choose Your Provider Path (No Screenshots)

If you just installed NextClaw and are not sure what to do first, this page solves one thing: connect your first working model path.

What you will finish

1. Choose a provider path in 30 seconds (Qwen Portal or API key).
2. Complete one working setup with clear steps.
3. Send one test message to verify end-to-end success.

Prerequisites

• NextClaw is installed.
• You can open http://127.0.0.1:55667 locally.
• For API key path, you have a vendor account.

30-second decision

Path	Manual API key required	Setup speed	Possible limits	Best for
Qwen Portal	No	Fastest	May have quota/rate limits	First successful run quickly
Vendor API key (MiniMax example)	Yes	Slightly slower	Depends on your vendor plan	Stable long-term usage

Path A: Qwen Portal (no manual API key)

1. Start service:

   nextclaw start

2. Open http://127.0.0.1:55667.
3. Go to Providers and select Qwen Portal.
4. Click Authorize in Browser, then finish login/authorization.
5. Return to NextClaw, choose a model, and send:

   Please reply exactly: QWEN-OK

Expected result: QWEN-OK (or an equivalent short response).

Full walkthrough: Qwen Portal Setup Tutorial (Beginner-Friendly)

Path B: Vendor API key (MiniMax as example)

Note: MiniMax is only an example, not a lock-in path. You can use OpenAI / OpenRouter / DeepSeek and others.

Step 1. Open MiniMax console

Pick by account region:

• Global: https://platform.minimax.io
• Mainland China: https://platform.minimaxi.com

Step 2. Login and create API key

After login, go to Interface Key page:

• Global direct link: https://platform.minimax.io/user-center/basic-information/interface-key
• CN direct link: https://platform.minimaxi.com/user-center/basic-information/interface-key

Create a key (often shown as Create new secret key), then copy and store it securely.

Step 3. Top up and confirm available balance (critical)

In the same console, open Billing / Wallet / Balance, complete top-up or plan activation, and confirm balance is greater than 0.

Recommendations:

1. Refresh once after top-up to ensure balance status is updated.
2. For new accounts, run a minimal usage check first to avoid later balance-related failures.

Step 4. In the already-open NextClaw page, navigate to MiniMax

Assume NextClaw UI is already open at http://127.0.0.1:55667.

Use this path: Settings -> Providers -> All Providers -> MiniMax.

Step 5. Fill MiniMax fields

• API Key: paste the key you created
• API Base: set by region
  • CN: https://api.minimaxi.com/v1
  • Global: https://api.minimax.io/v1

Step 6. Test connection and save

1. Click Test Connection.
2. If successful, click Save.

Step 7. Set default model

1. Go to Model.
2. Select minimax/MiniMax-M2.5.
3. Save.

Step 8. Send verification message

In chat, send:

Please reply exactly: PROVIDER-OK

Expected result: PROVIDER-OK (or an equivalent short response).

Success checklist

You are done when all three are true:

1. Provider test passes.
2. Model save succeeds and default model is active.
3. Chat returns expected test response.

Common errors

• 401 / 403: wrong/expired key, or region mismatch with API Base.
• 429: upstream rate limit, retry later or switch model.
• 402 / insufficient_balance: no available balance or plan not activated; top up first.
• 404 (provider test endpoint): local NextClaw version is outdated.
• 5xx: upstream service issue, retry and check logs.

Next

1. What To Do After Setup
2. Model Selection Guide
3. Channels