Install OpenClaw in about 10 minutes. Pick your system below and get the exact commands, what the installer does, how to finish onboarding and how to fix the most common install errors.
Each card has the fastest method. Follow the link for a full, illustrated guide.
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashOr download the macOS app, which adds a menu bar icon and bundles the gateway. A Mac is also the only way to use iMessage.
Mac install guide →iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iexOr download the Windows app. Already use WSL2? The Mac/Linux installer script works inside it too.
Windows install guide →curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashDesktop users can also get the AppImage or .deb. On a server, see our VPS guide.
Linux install guide →git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
export OPENCLAW_IMAGE="ghcr.io/openclaw/openclaw:latest"
./scripts/docker/setup.shKeeps OpenClaw in containers, separate from the rest of your system. Great for servers and sandboxed setups.
Docker install guide →--allow-scripts flagopenclaw command from the official npm package~/.openclaw for your config, memory and workspaceWant to read the script first? Download it with curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh -o install.sh, check it, then run bash install.sh.
For developers and advanced setups. All from the official docs.
npm install -g openclaw@latest --allow-scripts=openclaw
openclaw onboard --install-daemonOn npm 11.15 or older, leave out --allow-scripts=openclaw.
pnpm add -g --allow-build=openclaw openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemonbun add -g --trust openclaw@latest
bun run --bun openclaw onboard --install-daemon --daemon-runtime buncurl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install-cli.sh | bashInstalls OpenClaw and its own Node.js under ~/.openclaw, leaving your system Node alone.
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method gitUses the installer, but builds from a Git checkout instead of the npm package.
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
corepack enable
pnpm install && pnpm build && pnpm ui:build
pnpm add --global "openclaw@link:$PWD"
openclaw onboard --install-daemonSkip the onboarding wizard with --no-onboard (bash) or -NoOnboard (PowerShell). Also supported: Nix, Podman, Ansible, Kubernetes and Raspberry Pi, covered in the official docs.
The onboarding wizard usually does steps 2 and 3 for you.
openclaw --version
openclaw doctoropenclaw models statusopenclaw pairing approve telegram <code>http://127.0.0.1:18789 and send your first message.Next: build a real automation with our first workflow tutorial.
openclaw: command not foundThe install folder isn't on your PATH yet. Close and reopen your terminal. If it still fails, run npm prefix -g and add its bin folder to your PATH.
Unsupported Node.js versionOpenClaw needs Node 24.16+ or 26.1+. Update Node, or use the installer script or local-prefix installer, which bring their own.
EACCES: permission deniednpm is trying to write to a system folder. Don't use sudo npm. Use the installer script, or a Node version manager so global packages install in your home folder.
Unknown option --allow-scriptsYour npm is older than 11.16. Update npm, or run the install command without --allow-scripts=openclaw.
Control UI won't openThe gateway may not be running. Run openclaw gateway status, then openclaw gateway start. Check nothing else is using port 18789.
Stops when I close the terminalInstall the background service with openclaw onboard --install-daemon. On Linux servers, also run loginctl enable-linger.
Still stuck? Run openclaw doctor and see our troubleshooting guide.
openclaw uninstallIt asks what to remove. Move any workspace you want to keep out of ~/.openclaw first.
On macOS or Linux, run curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash. On Windows, run iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex in PowerShell. You can also download the desktop app, install with npm, or use Docker.
The install itself takes a few minutes. Allow 10 to 30 minutes in total to finish onboarding, add a model API key and connect your first chat app.
OpenClaw runs on Node.js 24.16+ or 26.1+, but you don't need to install it yourself if you use the installer script, the local-prefix installer, the desktop app or Docker.
Yes. Use the PowerShell installer or the Windows desktop app. WSL2 is optional, and the Mac/Linux script works inside it if you prefer.
Install only from official sources: openclaw.ai, github.com/openclaw and the npm package named openclaw. After installing, keep sender pairing on and review our security guide before connecting personal accounts.
Run openclaw update to update, and openclaw uninstall to remove it. Back up your ~/.openclaw folder before either.