Manifest Integration with The Grid | Custom Backend Setup

Connect Manifest to The Grid as a custom OpenAI-compatible backend. Add Grid models, map them to routing tiers, and automate selection.

Manifest is a smart LLM router for OpenClaw. It scores each request across multiple dimensions, picks a complexity tier (simple, standard, complex, reasoning), and routes to the cheapest qualifying model from your connected suppliers. The Grid plugs in as a backend supplier: you connect it through Manifest's dashboard, and Manifest routes qualifying requests to Grid instruments at market prices.

This works in both local mode (self-hosted plugin, no account needed) and cloud mode (app.manifest.build).

Prerequisites

• Manifest installed and running. Either local (openclaw plugins install manifest followed by openclaw gateway restart) or cloud (app.manifest.build account).
• A Grid account at app.thegrid.ai.
• Credits in your account. The Grid is prepaid.
• A Grid consumption API key from Settings → API Keys → Create Consumption Key.

Setup

1. Open the Manifest dashboard

Local mode: http://127.0.0.1:2099 after the plugin install. Cloud mode: app.manifest.build.

2. Add The Grid as a custom provider

In the Routing or Providers section, add a new custom provider:

• Provider name: thegrid
• Base URL: https://api.thegrid.ai/v1
• API key: your Grid consumption key
• API type: OpenAI-compatible

3. Add Grid instruments as models

In the provider configuration, add the Grid instruments you want Manifest to route to. Pull the live IDs from the current instruments list.

4. Map instruments to Manifest tiers

Manifest's tier system aligns naturally with Grid tiers. A practical setup for a coding agent:

Manifest tier	Primary	Fallback
Simple	thegrid/code-standard	thegrid/text-standard
Standard	thegrid/code-prime	thegrid/text-prime
Complex	thegrid/code-max	thegrid/agent-max
Reasoning	thegrid/code-max	thegrid/text-max

For agentic workloads (multi-step tool use), swap agent-prime and agent-max into the Standard and Complex tiers.

5. Activate manifest/auto in OpenClaw

openclaw models set manifest/auto

Verification

Run a task in OpenClaw and check the Manifest dashboard. It shows which model handled each request, the tier classification, and the cost. If Grid instruments appear in the routing log, the integration is live.

Troubleshooting

401 from The Grid through Manifest. The key in Manifest's provider config is a Grid trading key, not a consumption key. Generate a new consumption key and update the provider.

402 Payment Required. Your credits are at zero. Top up at app.thegrid.ai.

Manifest routes to other suppliers instead of The Grid. Manifest picks the cheapest qualifying model per tier. If a non-Grid supplier is cheaper for the tier you assigned, Manifest will prefer it. Adjust the tier assignment if you want to force Grid instruments.

Cost numbers don't match the Grid dashboard. Cost tracking in Manifest depends on the per-model pricing you set. The Grid uses market-based pricing per fill, so Manifest's tracked costs will not match exactly. The Grid dashboard is the source of truth.

Using The Grid as the only Manifest backend. Connect just The Grid, assign instruments to all four tiers, and Manifest will route every request through it.