Install OpenClaw in 5 Minutes (macOS, Windows, Linux)

Introduction: Getting OpenClaw Running on Your Machine

This tutorial will walk you through installing OpenClaw from scratch, no matter which operating system you use. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have OpenClaw installed, configured with an AI model, and ready to start automating tasks from your favorite chat app. We'll cover macOS, Windows, and Linux, and explain what happens at each step so you understand what's being installed.

OpenClaw has a one-liner install that handles Node.js, Python, and the CLI automatically. This tutorial shows you exactly how to get running in about 5 minutes.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A machine running macOS, Windows, or Linux. OpenClaw supports modern versions of all three. If you're unsure which OS you have, look for System Preferences (macOS), Settings > System (Windows), or open a terminal and type uname (Linux).
• An API key for an AI model. You'll need one of:
  • Claude API key (from Anthropic). Get one free at console.anthropic.com. You'll need a pay-as-you-go account; it costs nothing until you use it.
  • OpenAI API key (for ChatGPT). Get one at platform.openai.com.
  • Ollama (optional, for running models locally). No API key needed if you go this route.
• Node.js 22 or later. The OpenClaw installer can install this for you automatically, so don't worry if you don't have it yet.

If you're wondering what Node.js is: it's a platform that lets JavaScript run on your computer (not just in a browser). OpenClaw needs it to function, but you don't need to understand JavaScript to use OpenClaw.

macOS and Linux Installation: One-Liner Setup

Open your terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal on macOS; press Ctrl+Alt+T on Linux) and paste this command:

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

What to expect: You'll see text scrolling in the terminal. It's downloading and installing Node.js, Python, and OpenClaw. This takes 1-3 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Why this matters: This single command does what would normally require you to manually download files from multiple sources and run multiple installers. It's checking your OS version, installing compatible versions of each dependency, and setting up your PATH (a system variable that tells your computer where to find programs).

What might go wrong: If you see "permission denied," you may need to run it with sudo: curl -sSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | sudo bash. Your computer will ask for your password to confirm.

The command supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and most other common Linux distributions.

Windows Installation: PowerShell Setup

On Windows, open PowerShell (search for "PowerShell" in Start menu) and paste this command:

& ([scriptblock]::Create((iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1))) -Tag beta

What to expect: Similar to macOS/Linux—text scrolling, installation progress. This takes 2-5 minutes. Windows may ask if you want to allow the script to run; click "Yes."

Why this matters: PowerShell is Windows's command-line tool. This command downloads and executes a PowerShell script that handles all the setup for you.

What might go wrong: If you see "not digitally signed," you can set your execution policy temporarily with Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process. Run this first, then try the install command again.

Windows 10 and 11 are both supported. If you prefer Linux, you can use Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) instead.

Verify Installation: Check It Worked

After installation completes, verify it worked. Open a new terminal and type:

openclaw --version

You're done when: You see a version number like "2026.2.22" printed. This confirms OpenClaw is installed and accessible from your command line.

If you see "command not found," the installation may have failed. Try closing and reopening your terminal window; sometimes PATH changes don't take effect until you start a fresh terminal session.

First Run: The Onboarding Wizard

Now run the onboarding wizard:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

What to expect: OpenClaw will ask you a series of questions in your terminal. Don't be nervous—this is just configuration.

The wizard will ask you:

1. Which LLM do you want to use? (Claude, ChatGPT, or Ollama) — Choose the one where you have an API key. If you have multiple, you can set up more later.
2. Enter your API key. — Paste your key from the provider's console. It won't be displayed as you type (for security).
3. Which chat platforms do you want to connect? — You can choose multiple: WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage. Start with one; you can add more later.
4. Install recommended skills? — Skills extend OpenClaw (like email integration, file system access). Say "yes" unless you know what you're doing.

After configuration, the daemon (a background process) installs and starts. You should see "Daemon installed and running."

Why this matters: The daemon is what keeps OpenClaw running in the background, listening for messages from your chat apps.

Verification: Send Your First Message

Now send a test message to your configured chat app:

"Hey OpenClaw, what's 2+2?"

You're done when: OpenClaw responds with "4" (or similar). This confirms the entire chain works: your message reached OpenClaw, it processed it, sent it to the LLM, got a response, and sent it back.

If you don't get a response after 30 seconds, check:

• Is OpenClaw mentioned in the message (if it's a group chat)?
• Did onboarding complete successfully?
• Are you sending to the right chat platform (the one you configured)?

Next Steps: Start Automating

Now that OpenClaw is running, you have several paths:

1. Add more chat platforms. Run openclaw onboard --chat to configure additional platforms.
2. Install more skills. Run openclaw skills list to see available skills, then openclaw skills install [skill-name] to add email, browser, shell access, and more.
3. Try your first automation. See the "Your First OpenClaw Automation" tutorial to clear your inbox or manage files.
4. Join the community. Discord.com/invite/clawd for help, examples, and to share what you build.

Troubleshooting

"Command not found" after installation: Close your terminal and open a new one. Your PATH environment variable needs to refresh.

Daemon won't start: Check that Node.js and Python both installed correctly. Run node --version and python --version to verify. If either fails, the installer may not have completed.

Chat messages aren't reaching OpenClaw: Verify you're using the correct chat platform and that the bot is properly invited to your group (if it's a group chat).

Want to see what OpenClaw is doing? Run openclaw logs to watch real-time activity and debug issues.