Beginner’s Complete OpenClaw Installation Guide: Get Started in 10 Minutes

OpenClaw Overview

OpenClaw is a locally‑run AI personal assistant that can be messaged from chat applications (Feishu, Discord, WhatsApp, etc.) and can execute tasks such as sending email, writing files, setting reminders, and controlling a browser. All data stays on the user’s machine.

1. Verify Node.js Environment

OpenClaw requires Node.js 22 or newer. Run node --version. If the output is v22.x.x or higher, continue; otherwise install or upgrade Node.js.

macOS (Homebrew):

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
brew install node

Ubuntu/Debian:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Other Linux: download installer from nodejs.org.

2. One‑Click Installation and Initialization Wizard

Run the appropriate command for the platform:

macOS / Linux:

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

Windows (PowerShell): iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex The script downloads the installer from the official site, performs the installation (≈1–2 minutes), and then launches the wizard.

Wizard steps

Risk confirmation – acknowledge elevated privileges.

Configuration mode – select QuickStart (default) for first‑time users.

AI model and API key – choose a model provider (e.g., Zhipu GLM) and paste the API key. Optionally select “Use secret reference” to store only an environment‑variable name such as ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.

Chat channel – can be skipped and configured later.

Skills – install built‑in skill libraries (email handling, web browsing, etc.) or skip for now.

Hooks – optional automatic actions. Available hooks:

boot‑md : on gateway start, inject the contents of BOOT.md as system context.

bootstrap‑extra‑files : inject files matching a glob pattern as context.

command‑logger : record every command executed by OpenClaw.

session‑memory : persist conversation context after a session ends.

3. Starting a Conversation

After the wizard, OpenClaw can be accessed via either interface:

Web Dashboard – run openclaw dashboard and open the printed URL in a browser. The URL contains a token=xxxxx parameter that should be kept private.

TUI (terminal UI) – run openclaw tui. Works locally and over SSH on remote servers.

Both interfaces can be used simultaneously.

4. First Dialogue

Send a greeting such as:

你好！请做个自我介绍，告诉我你能做什么。

The assistant replies with an introduction; the user can then assign a name or ask about capabilities.

5. Verify Running Status

In a new terminal run: openclaw gateway status If the output shows running , the backend service is healthy.

6. Common Commands

openclaw dashboard

– open the web control panel. openclaw tui – open the terminal UI. openclaw gateway status – show whether the backend service is running. openclaw gateway restart – restart the backend service. openclaw gateway stop – stop the backend service. openclaw onboard – rerun the full initialization wizard. openclaw configure – modify partial configuration (model, channels, etc.). openclaw skills list – list installed skills. openclaw --version – show the OpenClaw version. openclaw help – display all available commands.

7. Updating or Re‑configuring

# Update to the latest version (same command as installation)
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash   # macOS/Linux
iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex   # Windows
# Rerun the full wizard
openclaw onboard
# Modify only part of the configuration
openclaw configure