What is API Gateway?
API gateways manage API traffic with routing, rate limiting, and auth. Learn how they compare to AI-specific proxies like claw.zip for OpenClaw users.
Definition
API Gateway
An API gateway is a server that acts as a single entry point for API calls, providing cross-cutting features like authentication, rate limiting, load balancing, request transformation, and monitoring. Popular API gateways include Kong, Apigee, and AWS API Gateway.
Why It Matters
Why You Should Care
API gateways are essential for managing API traffic at scale. However, general-purpose gateways lack AI-specific optimizations like prompt compression and model routing. For OpenClaw users who need to reduce token costs, a specialized proxy like claw.zip does what generic gateways cannot.
How It Works
Under the Hood
API gateways sit between clients and backend APIs. They receive all API requests, apply policies (auth, rate limiting, transformation), route to the appropriate backend, and return responses. While they can handle AI API traffic, they treat it as generic HTTP traffic without understanding tokens, prompts, or model capabilities.
Related Terms
Keep Learning
API Proxy
An API proxy sits between your application and an API, adding features like compression and routing. Learn how proxies optimize OpenClaw API usage.
API Rate Limiting
Rate limiting controls how many API requests you can make. Learn about rate limits on OpenClaw and strategies for managing them.
AI Model Routing
AI model routing automatically selects the cheapest capable model for each query. Learn how it reduces OpenClaw costs without sacrificing quality.
AI Cost Reduction
Comprehensive overview of strategies to reduce OpenClaw API costs: compression, routing, caching, prompt engineering, and more.
See API Gateway in Action
Try claw.zip free and experience the difference for yourself.