/// INSTALLATION GUIDE
Updated June 7, 2026
How to Install
OpenClaw
Get your personal AI assistant running in 15 minutes. OpenClaw runs on your machine and connects to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord and more.
Short answer
Quick Start (One-Liner)
Check the current OpenClaw installation docs before running installer commands. The examples below match the official install paths reviewed on 2026-06-07, but installers, supported Node versions, and onboarding flags can change.
// macOS / Linux / WSL2
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash// Windows PowerShell
iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iexPrerequisites
Treat prerequisites as version-sensitive. The official installer may manage Node, Git, package managers, and gateway setup differently by operating system. If you are installing into a work machine, server, or shared environment, use the least privileged account that can run the test and avoid connecting private accounts until the gateway is healthy.
Node.js 22+
One-liner handles this
pnpm (optional)
For building from source
WSL2 for Windows
Ubuntu recommended
Brave Search API Key
Optional, for web search
Installation Steps
Install the CLI
Use the one-liner above, or install via npm/pnpm:
npm install -g openclaw@latestor: pnpm add -g openclaw@latest
Run the Onboarding Wizard
openclaw onboard --install-daemonThe wizard configures:
- - Local vs Remote gateway
- - Authentication (API keys or Claude OAuth)
- - Chat providers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord)
- - Background service (launchd/systemd)
Start the Gateway
If installed as daemon, it starts automatically. Check status:
openclaw gateway statusManual: openclaw gateway --port 18789 --verbose
Dashboard: http://127.0.0.1:18789/
Connect a Chat App
WhatsApp (QR Login)
openclaw channels loginScan via WhatsApp - Settings - Linked Devices
Telegram / Discord
Configure bot tokens during the onboarding wizard, or manually in config. Looking for an enterprise setup? Read our OpenClaw Discord Bot Integration Guide.
Pairing: Unknown DMs require approval. If no reply, run:openclaw pairing list whatsapp then openclaw pairing approve whatsapp <code>
Verify Installation
openclaw status
openclaw health
openclaw security audit --deepDone! Start chatting with your AI via your connected chat app or the web dashboard.
/// REVIEW FRAMEWORK
How to evaluate OpenClaw installation before you rely on it
Use this page as an orientation layer, then verify the current product details from the source that owns the tool or project. Installation is the moment when an agent moves from research into local access, so verify installer source, operating-system support, gateway status, and secrets handling before expanding use. A good evaluation starts with one concrete workflow, not a broad promise that an agent can handle everything. The first workflow should be small enough to review by hand and realistic enough to expose the setup, permission, and output issues that matter in daily use.
The strongest OpenClaw-related tools make the operating boundary visible. A reader should be able to tell what data the tool reads, what system it can write to, how a person approves risky actions, and what evidence remains after the run. If a tool cannot explain those basics, keep it in a sandbox, use public or disposable data, and avoid connecting sensitive accounts until the behavior is clear.
| Area | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow boundary | Write down the trigger, inputs, allowed actions, output, and human approval point before testing a tool. | A narrow boundary makes the first run easier to judge and reduces the chance of granting broad access too early. |
| Permissions | Check which files, browser sessions, inboxes, APIs, credentials, calendars, or messaging channels the workflow needs. | Agent workflows become risky when access grows faster than review, logging, and rollback practices. |
| Evidence | Prefer runs that leave a transcript, trace, screenshot, citation list, pull request, ticket, or structured output. | Evidence lets a user inspect what happened, repeat useful work, and diagnose failures without guessing. |
| Failure handling | Test incomplete inputs, changed pages, missing permissions, rate limits, and ambiguous instructions. | Reliable tools show partial results or ask for help instead of pretending the task succeeded. |
| Official source check | Confirm install commands, supported channels, security defaults, pricing, and current availability from official docs. | OpenClaw and adjacent agent tools change quickly, so evergreen directory copy should not replace source documentation. |
Local install
Test this scenario with limited access first. Record the setup time, output quality, review effort, and failure mode before deciding whether the workflow deserves a larger role.
Gateway verification
Test this scenario with limited access first. Record the setup time, output quality, review effort, and failure mode before deciding whether the workflow deserves a larger role.
Chat app connection
Test this scenario with limited access first. Record the setup time, output quality, review effort, and failure mode before deciding whether the workflow deserves a larger role.
Compare tools by the work they complete, not by the most impressive demo. One option may be better for local control, another for browser automation, another for messaging, and another for team review. The right choice is the one that completes the target job with the least risky access and the clearest path for a person to approve or correct the result.
ClawSites helps turn broad OpenClaw research into a shortlist. Use the directory to discover related tools, then keep source links, current docs, and real test outputs in the decision record. That habit keeps the evaluation useful even when a project changes its installer, supported integrations, security defaults, or pricing model.
When the page describes commands, channels, or implementation details, treat them as a starting point that should be checked before installation. For production use, prefer a separate test account, a non-production workspace, scoped credentials, and a review step before sending messages, spending money, modifying files, deploying code, or connecting private data.
The review should also include a maintenance question: who will notice when the tool, model provider, API, browser flow, or messaging platform changes? Many agent projects work well during a first demo but become fragile when upstream documentation, authentication, selectors, rate limits, or pricing policies shift. A dependable OpenClaw workflow needs a responsible reviewer, a retest interval, and a fallback path that keeps the job moving when automation is paused.
That fallback can be simple: a manual checklist, a direct API call, a script, or a documented handoff to a teammate. Naming it in advance keeps the workflow usable when automation is unavailable and prevents a directory recommendation from becoming a single point of failure.
What to record after the first run
A short decision record makes agent evaluation repeatable. Record the date, the tool version or source page checked, the account used, the input provided, the output received, and the exact point where a person approved or stopped the workflow. This does not need to be formal documentation; a simple note is enough to prevent the team from relying on memory or a one-off demo.
Include the failure mode even when the test looks successful. For example, note whether the tool needed extra context, skipped a step, produced unsupported claims, required broad permissions, or returned a result that had to be rewritten. Those details are often more useful than the final answer because they show how much review effort the workflow will need after the first week.
Revisit the decision when the workflow, team, or tool changes. A setup that is acceptable for one user with sample data may need stronger permissions, logging, or approval controls before it fits a team process. A tool that is not ready for autonomous execution may still be useful for drafting, research, monitoring, or preparing artifacts for a human reviewer.
Keep
Use the tool again when it saves time, produces reviewable evidence, and needs only the access the task requires.
Limit
Restrict the workflow when output quality is useful but permissions, failure handling, or review cost still need work.
Skip
Avoid the tool for this job when a script, direct API, checklist, or manual review path is simpler and safer.
If the test involves another person, document the handoff as well as the agent output. The reviewer should know what the tool attempted, which source or account it used, what remains uncertain, and what action is still waiting for approval. That handoff is where many agent workflows either become dependable or create hidden work for the next person.
A good final decision is specific: keep the tool for one named workflow, limit it to assisted drafting or research, or skip it until the product exposes better controls. Avoid vague outcomes such as "promising" or "interesting" unless they are paired with the next test to run. Specific decisions make the directory useful for future readers because they connect discovery to a repeatable adoption path.
For higher-risk work, add one more line to the record: what must stay manual. That might be sending the final message, approving a purchase, merging code, changing customer data, or connecting a private account. Naming the manual step keeps the workflow honest and makes it clear where the agent is assisting rather than operating without review.
If the manual step feels hard to define, the workflow is probably not ready for broader access yet. Keep the tool in discovery mode until that boundary is clear.
Building from Source (Developers)
If you want to hack on OpenClaw itself:
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
pnpm install
pnpm ui:build
pnpm build
openclaw onboard --install-daemonFrequently Asked Questions
What are the system requirements for OpenClaw?
OpenClaw requires Node.js 22+ and runs on macOS, Windows (via WSL2), or Linux. You also need an API key from Anthropic or OpenAI.
Is OpenClaw free to install?
Yes, OpenClaw is open source and free. You only pay for AI model API usage (Anthropic Claude or OpenAI) based on consumption.
Can I install OpenClaw on Windows?
Yes, but WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) with Ubuntu is strongly recommended. Native Windows is untested.
Which chat apps does OpenClaw support?
WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, and Mattermost. You can connect multiple apps simultaneously.
How long does installation take?
About 5-15 minutes. The one-liner handles Node.js and dependencies automatically.
Ready to Get Started?
Use the official docs for the current installer, then browse ClawSites for tools and workflows to test after setup.