Integrate Narev with OpenRouter for LLM Cost Optimization

The Problem with OpenRouter Alone

OpenRouter is an excellent LLM gateway—it makes switching between models as simple as changing a configuration. But that simplicity creates a new challenge: decision paralysis.

With 400+ models to choose from, teams often:

• Stick with expensive defaults (GPT-4) because switching feels risky
• Test models manually by deploying to production and hoping for the best
• Guess at which model offers the best cost-quality-latency tradeoff
• Miss optimization opportunities because testing is time-consuming

The result? Most teams overspend on LLMs by 10-100x because they lack systematic testing.

How Narev + OpenRouter Work Together

Narev and OpenRouter complement each other perfectly:

The workflow:

1. Export production traces from OpenRouter
2. Test alternative configurations in Narev with A/B experiments
3. Deploy winners to OpenRouter with confidence
4. Monitor results and repeat continuously

Integration Guide

Step 1: Export Your OpenRouter Usage Data

Narev works with your existing OpenRouter logs to create realistic test scenarios. You can use your recent prompts, model selections, and response patterns to build experiments that reflect your actual production workload.

Step 2: Create Your First Experiment

Let's say you're currently using openai/gpt-4o-mini through OpenRouter and want to explore if Claude 3.5 Haiku offers better performance.

Create an experiment in Narev testing:

Narev will test both variants on the same prompts and measure:

• Cost per request and per million tokens
• Latency (time to first token, total response time)
• Quality (accuracy, completeness, tone)

Step 3: Analyze Results with Confidence

Narev provides clear data on which model performs best:

Step 4: Update Your OpenRouter Configuration

With data-backed confidence, update your OpenRouter integration:

// Before: Using GPT-4o-Mini
const client = new OpenAI({
  baseURL: "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
  apiKey: process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY,
});
 
const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: "openai/gpt-4o-mini", // ← Old default
  messages: [...],
});
 
// After: Switch to Claude 3.5 Haiku based on Narev results
const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: "anthropic/claude-3-5-haiku-20241022", // ← Tested winner
  messages: [...],
});

Step 5: Monitor and Iterate

OpenRouter's analytics will show you the real-world performance. Use Narev to:

• Test new models as they're added to OpenRouter
• Experiment with prompt variations
• Validate routing strategies before deploying them
• A/B test temperature and parameter changes

Why Test Before Deploying to OpenRouter?

OpenRouter Features Narev Helps You Optimize

1. Model Selection

OpenRouter gives you: 400+ model options
Narev tells you: Which one actually works best for your use case

2. Provider Choice

OpenRouter gives you: Same model from multiple providers
Narev tells you: Which provider offers better latency or uptime for your region

3. Fallback Configuration

OpenRouter gives you: Automatic fallback routing
Narev tells you: Which fallback models maintain quality without breaking budget

4. Cost Management

OpenRouter gives you: Per-request cost tracking
Narev tells you: How to reduce those costs by 50-99% without sacrificing quality

Common OpenRouter + Narev Use Cases

Pricing: Narev + OpenRouter

OpenRouter pricing: Pay-per-use based on model chosen (no markup)
Narev pricing: Free for experimentation, no fees on top of your OpenRouter costs

Combined value: Test $1 worth of prompts in Narev to validate a configuration that saves $10,000/month in OpenRouter production costs.

Getting Started

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Optimizing Your OpenRouter Costs Today

Stop guessing which models to use. Start testing systematically.