OpenRouter empty final response: agent completes work but conductor receives no output, exit code 1

What this error means

conductor: OpenRouter exec produced empty final response — agent completed work but returned no final message is a OpenRouter failure pattern reported for developers trying to debug why openrouter returns empty final response after agent completes task successfully in conductor orchestrator. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

conductor exec —with openrouter returned exit code 1 with ‘OpenRouter exec produced empty final response’. The agent’s work in the worktree was complete but no final message was returned. Not an iter-cap or stall issue.

Common causes

• OpenRouter occasionally produces empty final responses even when the agent has completed its work. The conductor fails with exit code 1, losing all completed work context. Distinct from timeout or iteration-cap errors.
• conductor exec —with openrouter returned exit code 1 with ‘OpenRouter exec produced empty final response’. The agent’s work in the worktree was complete but no final message was returned. Not an iter-cap or stall issue.

Quick fixes

1. Confirm the exact error signature matches conductor: OpenRouter exec produced empty final response — agent completed work but returned no final message.
2. Check the OpenRouter account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
3. Compare the failing environment with a known working setup, then change one configuration value at a time.

Platform/tool-specific checks

• Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
• Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
• Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

1. Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
2. Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
3. Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
4. Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
5. Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.

How to prevent it

• Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
• Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
• Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.

Sources checked

• https://github.com/autumngarage/conductor/issues/426

Evidence note: conductor exec —with openrouter returned exit code 1 with ‘OpenRouter exec produced empty final response’. The agent’s work in the worktree was complete but no final message was returned. Not an iter-cap or stall issue.

Related errors

• OpenRouter empty response
• OpenRouter agent completion no output
• Conductor OpenRouter exit code 1

FAQ

What should I check first?

Start with the exact conductor: OpenRouter exec produced empty final response — agent completed work but returned no final message text and the smallest action that reproduces it.

Can I ignore this error?

No. Treat it as a failed OpenRouter workflow until the root cause is understood.

Is this guaranteed to have one fix?

No. The imported evidence supports the troubleshooting path above, but tool behavior can vary by account, plan, version, provider, and local configuration.

How do I know the fix worked?

Rerun the same command, editor action, or request. The fix is working when that action completes without conductor: OpenRouter exec produced empty final response — agent completed work but returned no final message.