How to Install OpenClaw on Linux

Linux is the most flexible place to run OpenClaw, from a desktop to a headless server or a Raspberry Pi. This guide covers the installer script, the desktop app (AppImage and .deb) and Raspberry Pi. It also shows how to keep OpenClaw running with systemd and fix common distro problems.

Quick answer

Run curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash, finish the setup wizard, then run loginctl enable-linger so OpenClaw keeps running after you log out.

Updated · Based on the official OpenClaw Linux documentation.

Distro helper

What's the best install for your Linux?

Your system
Ubuntu / Debian

See the full steps →
Before you start

Linux requirements for OpenClaw

Installer scriptDesktop app
Architecturex64 and ARM64x64 (AMD64) only
DistrosMost modern distributionsglibc 2.35+, such as Ubuntu 22.04+ and Debian 12+
Node.jsInstalled for you in a private runtimeNot needed
Desktop neededNo, works headlessYes

Check your glibc version with:

Terminal
ldd --version

RHEL 9 and Rocky Linux 9 ship glibc 2.34, so the desktop AppImage won't run there. Use the installer script instead.

1
Method 1 · Recommended

Install with the installer script

Works on any distro and architecture, with or without a desktop. It installs the OpenClaw CLI and its own Node.js in a private managed runtime, so it won't clash with other Node versions on your system.

  1. Make sure curl is installed (most distros have it). On Debian or Ubuntu: sudo apt install -y curl
  2. Run the official installer:
    Terminal
    curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
  3. Complete onboarding. Choose your AI model, paste your API key and connect a chat app. If you skipped it:
    Terminal
    openclaw onboard --install-daemon
  4. Keep it running after logout (important):
    Terminal
    loginctl enable-linger
  5. Open the Control UI at http://127.0.0.1:18789.
2
Method 2

Install the Linux desktop app

The Linux companion app adds a tray icon, Quick Chat and a window for your assistant. It can run a local gateway or connect to a remote one, and it finds gateways on your network automatically. Choose one format:

Updated by your package manager. OpenClaw doesn't add an APT repository, so download new versions when they're released.

Terminal
curl -LO https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/download/v2026.9.5/OpenClaw-2026.9.5-amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./OpenClaw-2026.9.5-amd64.deb

v2026.9.5 was the latest Linux release on September 29, 2026. Check GitHub releases or our download page for newer versions.

3
Method 3

Install OpenClaw on a Raspberry Pi

A Raspberry Pi makes a cheap, always-on OpenClaw server. The Pi only runs the gateway and your AI model runs in the cloud, so it copes well.

Pi 5Fastest, recommended
Pi 4 · 4 GBThe sweet spot
Pi 4 · 2 GBMinimum
Pi 3B+ / Zero 2 WSlow / not recommended
  1. Flash Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit) with Raspberry Pi Imager and enable SSH in its settings. 32-bit systems won't work. Use a USB SSD instead of an SD card if you can, because it's much faster and lasts longer.
  2. Update the system and log in over SSH:
    Pi
    sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y
  3. Add 2 GB of swap, which matters most on 2 GB models:
    Pi
    sudo fallocate -l 2G /swapfile
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile
echo '/swapfile none swap sw 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab
  4. Speed up startup on modest hardware:
    Pi
    echo 'export NODE_COMPILE_CACHE=/var/tmp/openclaw-compile-cache' >> ~/.bashrc
echo 'export OPENCLAW_NO_RESPAWN=1' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
  5. Install OpenClaw and run onboarding:
    Pi
    curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --no-onboard
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
loginctl enable-linger
Don't run local AI models on a Pi

The official docs are clear: use cloud API models on a Raspberry Pi. For local models, use a more powerful machine. See local models.

Other methods

Docker and npm on Linux

Docker

Best for servers and isolated setups. Needs Compose v2 and 6 GB RAM for image builds.

Docker install guide →

npm

Terminal
npm install -g openclaw@latest --allow-scripts=openclaw
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Needs Node.js 24.16+ or 26.1+.

Keep it running

Run OpenClaw as a systemd service

On Linux the gateway runs as a systemd user service called openclaw-gateway.service. User services stop when you log out unless you enable lingering, which also starts OpenClaw at boot.

Terminal
loginctl enable-linger
openclaw gateway status
openclaw health
openclaw gateway restartRestart after config changes
journalctl --user -u openclaw-gateway.service -fFollow live logs
systemctl --user edit openclaw-gateway.serviceAdd overrides, like environment variables
openclaw doctorDiagnose and repair
Servers

Running OpenClaw on a headless Linux server

  • Keep the gateway on loopback. Reach the Control UI through an SSH tunnel or Tailscale, and never open port 18789 to the internet.
  • Install Chromium for the browser tool. OpenClaw's browser automation needs Chromium on headless servers. Install it from your distro's packages.
  • Use a normal user, not root, and allow only SSH in your firewall.

The full walkthrough, from creating the server to backups, is in our VPS hosting guide.

Desktop tips

Linux desktop notes

X11 vs Wayland

Global keyboard shortcuts work on X11. On Wayland, open Quick Chat from the tray icon instead.

Voice (Talk mode)

The app's built-in window can't use the microphone. Open the Control UI in a regular browser for Talk mode.

Finding gateways

The desktop app discovers OpenClaw gateways on your local network automatically.

Troubleshooting

Fix common Linux install problems

GLIBC_2.35 not found

Your distro is too old for the desktop app (for example RHEL or Rocky 9). Use the installer script, which works on these systems.

AppImage won't open

Make it executable with chmod +x, and install FUSE 2 (libfuse2 or libfuse2t64).

openclaw: command not found

Open a new terminal or run source ~/.bashrc so your shell picks up the new PATH.

Stops when I log out

Run loginctl enable-linger so the systemd user service keeps running.

Browser tool fails on a server

Install Chromium. Headless servers don't include a browser by default.

Slow on Raspberry Pi

Use a USB SSD, add swap, set NODE_COMPILE_CACHE and OPENCLAW_NO_RESPAWN=1, and use cloud models.

More fixes: troubleshooting guide.

Maintenance

Update or uninstall OpenClaw on Linux

Update

Terminal
openclaw update
openclaw gateway restart

The AppImage updates itself. For the .deb, install the newer package over the old one.

Uninstall

Terminal
openclaw uninstall

Remove the .deb with sudo apt remove openclaw if you installed it. Check the package name with dpkg -l | grep -i openclaw.

Back up ~/.openclaw first. See the update and backup guide.

FAQ

OpenClaw on Linux: questions

Which Linux distros does OpenClaw support?

The installer script works on most modern distributions on x64 and ARM64. The desktop app is x64 only and needs glibc 2.35 or newer, which includes Ubuntu 22.04+ and Debian 12+. RHEL 9 and Rocky Linux 9 should use the installer script.

How do I keep OpenClaw running on Linux?

OpenClaw runs as a systemd user service called openclaw-gateway.service. Run loginctl enable-linger so it keeps running after you log out and starts automatically at boot.

Can I run OpenClaw on a Raspberry Pi?

Yes. Use a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with a 64-bit OS, at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended) and ideally a USB SSD. Use cloud AI models rather than local models on a Pi.

Do I need to install Node.js on Linux?

No. The installer script sets up Node.js in a private managed runtime. You only need your own Node.js 24.16+ or 26.1+ if you install with npm.

Does OpenClaw work on ARM64 Linux?

Yes, with the installer script, including Raspberry Pi and ARM servers. The desktop AppImage and .deb packages are currently x64 only.

Does OpenClaw work on Wayland?

Yes. Global shortcuts only work on X11, so on Wayland open Quick Chat from the tray icon instead.

Other install guides

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