OpenClaw Getting Started Guide — Set Up Your AI Assistant in Minutes

To get started with OpenClaw, install it globally with npm install -g openclaw@latest and run openclaw onboard to configure your instance. The onboarding wizard walks you through setting up your AI model, connecting messaging channels like WhatsApp or Telegram, and configuring your workspace. Alternatively, MyClaw.ai offers managed hosting where your instance is ready immediately with no setup.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) is an open-source personal AI assistant that runs on your own machine. Unlike cloud-only AI tools, OpenClaw gives you full control — your data stays local, and you interact with it through the messaging apps you already use: WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Signal, iMessage, and more.

Getting Started with OpenClaw

There are two ways to get started:

1. Self-host — Install on your own machine (this guide)
2. Managed hosting — Let MyClaw.ai handle everything for you

Prerequisites for Self-Hosting

Before you install OpenClaw, make sure you have:

• Node.js — Version 22 or later (download here)
• Operating system — macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL2 strongly recommended)

Step 1: Install OpenClaw

The fastest way to get started is a global install:

npm install -g openclaw@latest

Step 2: Run the Onboarding Wizard

The onboarding wizard guides you through the full setup:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The wizard walks you through:

• Model setup — Choose your AI model (Claude, GPT, or local models) and configure API authentication
• Channel connections — Link your messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, etc.)
• Workspace initialization — Set up your local workspace at ~/.openclaw/workspace
• Skills configuration — Browse and install skills from ClawHub
• Daemon installation — Sets up a background service (launchd on macOS, systemd on Linux) so OpenClaw runs persistently

Step 3: Verify Your Setup

Run the built-in diagnostic tool to make sure everything is configured correctly:

openclaw doctor

Step 4: Send Your First Message

Once a channel is connected, send a message to OpenClaw through your messaging app — just like texting a friend. For example, message it on WhatsApp or Telegram:

"What can you help me with?"

You can also interact directly from the command line:

openclaw agent --message "What can you help me with?"

OpenClaw will respond through the same channel. From here, you can ask it to manage emails, check your calendar, browse the web, write code, or run any of its installed skills.

Useful Commands

Once OpenClaw is running, these commands help you manage it:

| Command | What it does | |---------|-------------| | /status | Check current session status | | /new or /reset | Reset the conversation session | | /think <level> | Control reasoning depth | | openclaw doctor | Diagnose configuration issues | | openclaw update --channel stable | Update to latest version |

Common Setup Issues

Port conflicts

If you see a "port already in use" error, specify a different port:

openclaw gateway --port 18790

Node version not supported

OpenClaw requires Node.js 22 or later. Check your version:

node --version

If it's older, update from nodejs.org or use nvm:

nvm install 22
nvm use 22

macOS permission errors

OpenClaw may need accessibility permissions for certain features. Go to:

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility

Add your terminal application to the allowed list.

The Easier Alternative: Managed Hosting

Self-hosting gives you full control, but it also means managing updates, uptime, and configuration yourself. If you'd rather skip all of that, MyClaw.ai runs OpenClaw for you in the cloud:

• Zero setup — No installing, no configuring, no debugging
• Always online — Your instance runs 24/7 without keeping your computer on
• Auto-updates — Always running the latest version of OpenClaw

Whether you self-host or go managed, the most important thing is to start using OpenClaw and discover what it can do for your workflow.

Next Steps

Once you have OpenClaw running:

• Explore the skills marketplace (ClawHub) for community-built integrations
• Try connecting additional messaging channels
• Join the OpenClaw community Discord for tips and support
• Check out What is OpenClaw? for a deeper dive into features
• Read the full installation guide if you want to build from source