GPT-6 Astra on OpenClaw and Hermes: Setup, Pricing, and Rollout

What OpenAI launched

OpenAI positions GPT-6 Astra as its most capable model for complex reasoning, coding, computer use, research, and document creation. The official model page lists a 1,050,000-token context window, up to 128,000 output tokens, and an April 30, 2026 knowledge cutoff. It accepts text and images and produces text; audio and video are not supported model inputs.

The rollout starts with Trusted Access enterprise customers on September 3, followed by API, Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise access in the coming days. That distinction matters: publication of the model does not guarantee that every API organization can call it on day one.

GPT-6 Astra specifications and price

The headline context limit needs a cost warning. Once an input exceeds 272,000 tokens, OpenAI applies 2× input and cache pricing and 1.5× output pricing to the full request. Batch and Flex processing are 50% of standard rates; Fast processing is 2×. Start with a modest context budget and only pay for the million-token window when the task genuinely needs it.

Use GPT-6 Astra on OpenClaw Launch

The verified managed path at publication time is Hermes Agent. Add your OpenAI key as a user credential, then use Hermes's custom model field. The key is not shared with other customers.

1. Open API Keys and add your OpenAI API key.
2. Open the model picker for your running Hermes Agent instance.
3. In the custom model fields, choose platform openai and enter model ID gpt-6-astra.
4. Apply the change. For Hermes Agent, begin a new session so the new default is used.

Managed OpenClaw is not ready for this custom selection yet. OpenClaw Launch declares each direct OpenAI model in the instance provider catalog, and Astra is not in that catalog at publication time. Do not type the ID into a managed OpenClaw instance and assume it is supported; wait until Astra appears in the OpenAI section of the model picker.

If OpenAI returns a model-not-found, permission, or organization-access error, do not keep changing the spelling. Confirm Astra is visible to the same API organization that issued the key. During rollout, waiting for account enablement may be the only fix.

Self-hosted OpenClaw setup

OpenClaw uses provider-prefixed model references. Its built-in OpenAI provider reads OPENAI_API_KEY and uses OpenAI's Responses API, so the Astra reference is openai/gpt-6-astra.

export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-..."
openclaw onboard --auth-choice openai-api-key
openclaw models list --provider openai
openclaw models set openai/gpt-6-astra

The equivalent default in openclaw.json is:

{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "openai/gpt-6-astra"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run the model-list command before switching. OpenClaw's published catalog may trail a same-day OpenAI release, and your OpenAI organization must have access even when the local client accepts the model string.

Self-hosted Hermes Agent setup

Hermes Agent uses a provider name and a bare model name in separate fields. Put the key in ~/.hermes/.env:

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

Then set the model in ~/.hermes/config.yaml:

model:
  provider: "openai-api"
  default: "gpt-6-astra"

You can also run hermes model to configure the direct OpenAI provider. The old LLM_MODEL environment variable is no longer the source of truth. Existing chats keep their current model, so start a new Hermes session after the change.

Model IDs: do not mix the two formats

Agent features and migration caveats

Astra supports streaming, function calling, and structured outputs. OpenAI's model guidance says agent tools are available through the Responses API, including web and file search, code interpreter, hosted shell, computer use, MCP, skills, and tool search. A Chat Completions request may generate text, but tool use requires Responses.

• There is no none reasoning mode. Migrate none or minimal workloads to low.
• Remove sampling parameters when reasoning is enabled. OpenAI tells migrating clients to remove temperature, top_p, and top_logprobs; Chat Completions clients should also remove logprobs.
• Review skills and agent instructions. Astra follows repository and skill instructions closely and can operate powerful tools. Keep permissions narrow, use approval gates for consequential actions, and test workflows before granting unattended access.
• Expect mid-run interaction. Astra adds asynchronous tool calling, mid-turn steering, configuration updates, and monitoring. Older wrappers may need an update before they expose all of those capabilities.

Troubleshooting the launch window

• Model not found or access denied: verify the API key's organization and wait for OpenAI's rollout. The spelling is gpt-6-astra.
• Model absent from a framework picker: update the framework, inspect its provider model list, or use the custom model field when available.
• Tools do not run: make sure the integration uses the Responses API. Tool support is not available through Astra's Chat Completions path.
• OpenRouter route fails: no public Astra slug was listed there at publication time. Use the direct OpenAI provider instead of guessing a route.
• Unexpectedly high bill: inspect input size. Crossing 272,000 tokens reprices the whole request at the long-context multipliers.

Primary sources

• OpenAI GPT-6 Astra model reference
• OpenAI GPT-6 Astra usage and migration guide
• OpenAI GPT-6 Astra safety overview
• OpenClaw model provider documentation
• Hermes Agent provider documentation

GPT-6 Astra FAQ

Related model guides

• OpenAI models on OpenClaw
• Bring your own API key to OpenClaw
• Bring your own API key to Hermes Agent
• GPT-5.6 on OpenClaw
• Compare agent models