OpenRouter Authentication Error — Stuck on Anthropic Provider

What this error means

OpenRouter throwing error as Anthropic despite logout and re-login is a OpenRouter failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix openrouter authentication error where system continues using anthropic instead of openrouter. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

User logged out of Anthropic and authenticated with OpenRouter, but the system continues throwing Anthropic errors. Screenshots show OpenRouter configured but error messages reference Anthropic. Affects Rust-based agent applications using OpenRouter as LLM provider.

Common causes

• Developers who switched from Anthropic direct API to OpenRouter as their LLM provider find that their applications continue throwing Anthropic-specific errors despite logging out of Anthropic and re-authenticating with OpenRouter. The provider switch fails silently.
• User logged out of Anthropic and authenticated with OpenRouter, but the system continues throwing Anthropic errors. Screenshots show OpenRouter configured but error messages reference Anthropic. Affects Rust-based agent applications using OpenRouter as LLM provider.

Quick fixes

1. Confirm the exact error signature matches OpenRouter throwing error as Anthropic despite logout and re-login.
2. Check the OpenRouter account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
3. Verify the account session, API key, provider settings, and environment where the failing tool is running.

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/Dicklesworthstone/pi_agent_rust/issues/81

Evidence note: User logged out of Anthropic and authenticated with OpenRouter, but the system continues throwing Anthropic errors. Screenshots show OpenRouter configured but error messages reference Anthropic. Affects Rust-based agent applications using OpenRouter as LLM provider.

Related errors

• OpenRouter API key not working
• OpenRouter model not found error
• OpenRouter rate limit exceeded

FAQ

What should I check first?

Start with the exact OpenRouter throwing error as Anthropic despite logout and re-login 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 OpenRouter throwing error as Anthropic despite logout and re-login.