OpenClaw Getting Started Guide – Your Complete Setup Blueprint

Updated: April 2026 | Reading time: 8 min | Difficulty: Beginner

OpenClaw is your personal AI assistant that runs locally on your devices. Unlike cloud-based AI chatbots, OpenClaw gives you full control—your data stays on your machine, and you can connect it to the messaging platforms you already use.

In this guide, I'll walk you through setting up OpenClaw from scratch, even if you've never used a terminal before.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is a local-first AI assistant that works across multiple platforms. Here's what makes it special:

• Multi-channel inbox – Connect WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, iMessage, and 20+ other platforms
• Voice support – Talk to your assistant on macOS, iOS, and Android
• Live Canvas – Agent-driven visual workspace
• Skills system – Extend functionality with community-built plugins

Think of it as having a personal AI that's always running, always available, and fully under your control.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

To check if you have Node.js installed, open your terminal and run:

node --version

If you see a version number (v22.x.x or higher), you're good to go. If not, download Node.js here.

Step 1 – Install OpenClaw

Open your terminal and run one of these commands:

# Using npm (recommended)
npm install -g openclaw@latest

# Or using pnpm
pnpm add -g openclaw@latest

# Or using bun
bun add -g openclaw@latest

The @latest tag ensures you get the newest stable version. If you want beta features, you can use @beta instead.

Verify the installation:

openclaw --version

You should see a version number like v2026.4.11 or similar.

Step 2 – Run the Onboard Wizard

This is the easiest way to set up OpenClaw. The onboard wizard walks you through:

1. Gateway setup – The control plane that manages sessions and channels
2. Workspace creation – Your personal working directory
3. Channel connection – Adding your messaging platforms
4. Skills installation – Essential plugins for productivity

Run this command:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The wizard will prompt you through each step. Here's what to expect:

• Gateway port – Default is 18789 (you can change this)
• Workspace location – Defaults to ~/.openclaw/workspace
• Channel setup – Choose which platforms to connect

The --install-daemon flag sets up OpenClaw as a background service so it stays running even after you close the terminal.

Step 3 – Connect Your First Channel

Let's use Discord as an example (the process is similar for other platforms):

1. Create a Discord bot at discord.com/developers
2. Get your bot token from the Bot section
3. Invite the bot to your server with appropriate permissions

In your OpenClaw workspace, create or edit the config:

openclaw config edit

Add your Discord credentials:

{
  "channels": {
    "discord": {
      "token": "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN",
      "dmPolicy": "pairing"
    }
  }
}

Save and restart the gateway:

openclaw gateway restart

Your Discord bot should now be online! Send it a DM to start chatting.

Step 4 – Pair Your Devices

OpenClaw supports multiple ways to interact:

Mobile (iOS/Android)

1. Download the OpenClaw node app
2. Scan the pairing QR code from openclaw config show
3. Start chatting via your phone

Desktop

The macOS menu bar app provides:

• Quick access to conversations
• Voice command access
• Canvas workspace

First Conversation

Now for the fun part! Try these commands:

# Basic chat
openclaw agent --message "Hello"

# With high reasoning
openclaw agent --message "Explain what OpenClaw can do" --thinking high

# Send to a specific channel
openclaw message send --to +1234567890 --message "Hello from OpenClaw"

You can also just message your bot directly on any connected platform. It responds to:

• Direct questions – Ask anything
• Commands – Tasks like "summarize this article" or "create a checklist"
• File analysis – Attach documents for the AI to review

Common Setup Issues & Fixes

"Command not found" after installation

Fix: Add npm's global bin directory to your PATH. Add this to your .bashrc or .zshrc:

export PATH="$PATH:$(npm root -g)/openclaw"

Gateway won't start on port 18789

Fix: Check if another process is using that port:

lsof -i :18789

Then either kill that process or change your gateway port in config.

Discord bot goes offline immediately

Fix: Ensure your bot has the "Message Content Intent" enabled in the Discord Developer Portal.

Pairing code not working

Fix: Make sure your gateway is running (openclaw gateway status) and your device is on the same network.

What's Next?

Now that you have OpenClaw running, explore these areas:

1. Voice Commands

Set up wake words and talk mode for hands-free interaction:

openclaw voicewake enable
openclaw talk enable

2. Install Skills

Extend functionality with community skills:

openclaw skills install weather
openclaw skills install github

3. Explore the Canvas

The Live Canvas gives your AI a visual workspace. Try:

"Create a project board for my startup"

4. Join the Community

• Discord – Get help, share setups
• LobsterDome – Browse community configurations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is a local-first personal AI assistant that runs on your own devices. Unlike cloud-based chatbots, it keeps your data private and can connect to messaging platforms like Discord, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Slack.

How do I install OpenClaw?

Run npm install -g openclaw@latest in your terminal, then run openclaw onboard --install-daemon to set up the gateway and connect your first channel.

What do I need to use OpenClaw?

You need Node.js version 24 (recommended) or 22.16+, a package manager (npm, pnpm, or bun), and at least one messaging app account (Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).

Is OpenClaw free?

Yes, OpenClaw is open source and free to use. You only pay for the AI model API calls (like OpenAI or Anthropic) that you choose to connect.

Can I use OpenClaw on Windows?

Yes, but OpenClaw works best on macOS or Linux. For Windows, use WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) for the best experience.

Quick Reference Card

Need help? Join the OpenClaw Discord community or browse setups from other users.

This guide was last updated for OpenClaw v2026.4. If you spot anything outdated, let us know.