diff --git a/docs/PROVIDERS.md b/docs/PROVIDERS.md
index 237f7dab3dc..4b6cd395ea1 100644
--- a/docs/PROVIDERS.md
+++ b/docs/PROVIDERS.md
@@ -87,6 +87,10 @@ Custom pricing overlays are exact-match overrides used only where the local spen
 
 OpenCode-held OpenAI/Codex OAuth can be reused for **remote Codex account quota** only when the Codex provider's `External OAuth sources` setting is explicitly enabled. Native Codex credentials still take precedence, an explicit `CODEX_HOME` stays isolated, and external credentials remain read-only. This does **not** import ordinary OpenCode sessions into Codex token or spend totals. OpenCode Go's local SQLite reader remains scoped to its own `opencode-go` assistant records; OpenAI API-platform usage is a separate provider.
 
+### OpenRouter keys
+
+The **API key** field (or `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`) is required and accepts either a regular API key or a Management API key. A Management key entered there also enables account Activity on the official OpenRouter API. The separate **Management API key** field (or `OPENROUTER_MANAGEMENT_API_KEY`) is an optional additional key for account Activity, only needed to use a Management key different from the one in the required field. Filling only the Management field does not select an account for quota or balance; with no primary key, the provider reports the missing-key message instead.
+
 ### z.ai Coding Plan quotas
 
 z.ai Coding Plans accept both `TOKENS_LIMIT` and `CREDIT_LIMIT` rows. The shortest known Coding Plan window becomes primary and the longest becomes secondary; `TIME_LIMIT` is the separate MCP lane. When absolute usage/remaining counts are available they determine the used percentage, otherwise the provider percentage is used, always clamped to 0–100%. This behavior is shared by the tray, provider detail, CLI, and other Windows surfaces.
diff --git a/rust/src/locale/en-US.ftl b/rust/src/locale/en-US.ftl
index fb96ecd4b8b..94f3235e750 100644
--- a/rust/src/locale/en-US.ftl
+++ b/rust/src/locale/en-US.ftl
@@ -842,7 +842,7 @@ ProviderAutoResumeAfterQuotaResetHelper = Reopen the exact local Codex or Claude
 
 OpenRouterManagementKeyTitle = OpenRouter spend history
 OpenRouterManagementKeyLabel = Management API key
-OpenRouterManagementKeyHelp = Optional. Used only for exact 30-day Activity spend from openrouter.ai. The primary OpenRouter API key remains separate. You can also set OPENROUTER_MANAGEMENT_API_KEY.
+OpenRouterManagementKeyHelp = Optional additional key for account Activity. Only needed to use a separate Management API key from the one in the required API key field above. You can also set OPENROUTER_MANAGEMENT_API_KEY.
 OpenRouterManagementKeyConfigured = Management key configured
 ClaudeAccountsTitle = Claude Code accounts
 ClaudeAccountsHint = Close Claude Code before switching, then reopen it. Claude Desktop uses a separate login.
diff --git a/rust/src/providers/openrouter/mod.rs b/rust/src/providers/openrouter/mod.rs
index 1c15164c823..b9e244db0e2 100755
--- a/rust/src/providers/openrouter/mod.rs
+++ b/rust/src/providers/openrouter/mod.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ const OPENROUTER_TIMEOUT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(3
 const OPENROUTER_KEY_TIMEOUT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(1);
 const OPENROUTER_ACTIVITY_URL: &str = "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/activity";
 const OPENROUTER_MANAGEMENT_ENV: &str = "OPENROUTER_MANAGEMENT_API_KEY";
+/// Shown when no primary key resolves. The optional Management key field never
+/// substitutes for the primary key when selecting an account for quota/balance.
+const MISSING_API_KEY_MESSAGE: &str = "Enter a regular API key or a Management API key in the API key field, or set OPENROUTER_API_KEY. In Settings, the optional Management API key field does not replace it.";
 
 /// Windows Credential Manager target for OpenRouter API token
 const OPENROUTER_CREDENTIAL_TARGET: &str = "codexbar-openrouter";
@@ -169,21 +172,11 @@ impl OpenRouterProvider {
             return Ok(key.to_string());
         }
 
-        match keyring::Entry::new(OPENROUTER_CREDENTIAL_TARGET, "api_token") {
-            Ok(entry) => match entry.get_password() {
-                Ok(token) => Ok(token),
-                Err(_) => std::env::var("OPENROUTER_API_KEY").map_err(|_| {
-                    ProviderError::NotInstalled(
-                        "OpenRouter API key not found. Set in Preferences → Providers or OPENROUTER_API_KEY environment variable.".to_string(),
-                    )
-                }),
-            },
-            Err(_) => std::env::var("OPENROUTER_API_KEY").map_err(|_| {
-                ProviderError::NotInstalled(
-                    "OpenRouter API key not found. Set in Preferences → Providers or OPENROUTER_API_KEY environment variable.".to_string(),
-                )
-            }),
-        }
+        keyring::Entry::new(OPENROUTER_CREDENTIAL_TARGET, "api_token")
+            .ok()
+            .and_then(|entry| entry.get_password().ok())
+            .or_else(|| std::env::var("OPENROUTER_API_KEY").ok())
+            .ok_or_else(|| ProviderError::NotInstalled(MISSING_API_KEY_MESSAGE.to_string()))
     }
 
     fn configured_management_key() -> Option<String> {
diff --git a/rust/src/providers/openrouter/tests.rs b/rust/src/providers/openrouter/tests.rs
index a7728bde20c..3a1db064311 100644
--- a/rust/src/providers/openrouter/tests.rs
+++ b/rust/src/providers/openrouter/tests.rs
@@ -387,3 +387,13 @@ fn parsed_key_wire_fields_decode() {
     assert_eq!(parsed.data.limit_remaining, Some(12.5));
     assert_eq!(parsed.data.limit_reset.as_deref(), Some("monthly"));
 }
+
+// Upstream 0.67.0 `OpenRouterSettingsError.missingToken` copy: a Management key
+// is a valid primary key, and the optional Management field never replaces it.
+#[test]
+fn missing_key_message_explains_primary_and_management_fields() {
+    assert_eq!(
+        MISSING_API_KEY_MESSAGE,
+        "Enter a regular API key or a Management API key in the API key field, or set OPENROUTER_API_KEY. In Settings, the optional Management API key field does not replace it."
+    );
+}
diff --git a/rust/src/settings/api_keys.rs b/rust/src/settings/api_keys.rs
index c2adf3565cf..7ee76399359 100644
--- a/rust/src/settings/api_keys.rs
+++ b/rust/src/settings/api_keys.rs
@@ -264,7 +264,9 @@ pub fn get_api_key_providers() -> Vec<ProviderConfigInfo> {
             name: "OpenRouter",
             requires_api_key: true,
             api_key_env_var: Some("OPENROUTER_API_KEY"),
-            api_key_help: Some("Get your API key from openrouter.ai/settings/keys"),
+            api_key_help: Some(
+                "Required. Enter a regular API key or a Management API key here. Management keys also enable account Activity on the official OpenRouter API.",
+            ),
             config_file_path: None,
             dashboard_url: Some("https://openrouter.ai/settings/credits"),
         },
diff --git a/rust/src/settings/tests.rs b/rust/src/settings/tests.rs
index a6db4aa05b2..d78b52b36fa 100644
--- a/rust/src/settings/tests.rs
+++ b/rust/src/settings/tests.rs
@@ -548,6 +548,20 @@ fn test_api_key_provider_catalog_includes_token_providers() {
     }
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn openrouter_api_key_help_explains_management_keys() {
+    let info = get_api_key_providers()
+        .into_iter()
+        .find(|info| info.id == ProviderId::OpenRouter)
+        .expect("OpenRouter api key metadata");
+    assert_eq!(
+        info.api_key_help,
+        Some(
+            "Required. Enter a regular API key or a Management API key here. Management keys also enable account Activity on the official OpenRouter API."
+        )
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn test_t3_chat_is_cookie_configured_not_api_key_configured() {
     let providers = get_api_key_providers();