Complete Guide to OpenClaw Installation and Configuration

OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant platform designed to run on your own devices. It integrates seamlessly with your favorite chat channels (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, etc.), providing a unified and “always-on” AI experience. This guide will walk you through the complete installation and configuration process.

Prerequisites

Before installing OpenClaw, please ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Node.js: Node 24 is highly recommended. Node 22.16+ is also supported.
Operating System: macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL2 is strongly recommended for stability).
Model API Keys: You need API keys from providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google.
Network: A stable internet connection for downloading packages and communicating with AI models.

Installation Methods

OpenClaw offers multiple installation methods. Choose the one that best fits your technical preference.

1. Recommended: Installation Script (Fastest)

The installation script automatically detects your OS, installs Node if necessary, and guides you through the initialization.

macOS / Linux / WSL2

openclaw

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curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

openclaw-cn

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curl -fsSL https://open-claw.org.cn/install-cn.sh | bash

Windows (PowerShell)

openclaw

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iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex

openclaw-cn (Ensure Git is installed):

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iwr -useb https://open-claw.org.cn/install-cn.ps1 | iex

2. Manual Installation via npm or pnpm

If you prefer managing your Node environment manually, you can install the OpenClaw CLI globally.

Using npm

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npm install -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Using pnpm

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pnpm add -g openclaw@latest
pnpm approve-builds -g
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

3. Source Installation (For Developers)

If you want to contribute or run from the local codebase:

openclaw

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git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
pnpm install && pnpm ui:build && pnpm build
pnpm link --global
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

openclaw-cn (using Gitee and npmmirror):

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git clone https://gitee.com/OpenClaw-CN/openclaw-cn.git
cd openclaw-cn
pnpm config set registry https://registry.npmmirror.com/ # Set registry mirror
pnpm install && pnpm ui:build && pnpm build
pnpm link --global
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Initialization and Configuration (Onboarding)

After installation, the most important step is running the onboarding wizard. It will configure your workspace, gateway, and initial AI models.

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openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The wizard will prompt you to:

Select Model Provider: Choose between Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, etc.
Enter API Key: Provide the API key for your chosen provider.
Install Daemon: Install OpenClaw as a system service (recommended) to keep it running in the background.

Verifying Installation

To ensure everything is running correctly, use the following commands:

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openclaw doctor         # Check for configuration issues
openclaw status         # Check Gateway status
openclaw dashboard      # Open the browser UI