OpenClaw Setup Guide: From Zero to AI Agent in 5 Minutes

This is the fastest path to a working OpenClaw setup. No fluff, just commands.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 22+ — check with node --version
• An AI model subscription (Anthropic Pro/Max recommended)

The 3-Command Setup

# 1. Install OpenClaw
npm install -g openclaw

# 2. Run the onboarding wizard
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

# 3. Open the dashboard
openclaw dashboard

That's it. You now have a personal AI assistant running on your machine.

Alternative: Install Script

On macOS/Linux:

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

What the Wizard Does

The openclaw onboard wizard handles:

• Auth configuration — connects to your AI model provider
• Gateway settings — port, bind address, security defaults
• Channel setup — optionally connect WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord
• Daemon installation — installs as a system service

Verify It's Working

# Check Gateway status
openclaw gateway status

# Run diagnostics
openclaw doctor

Next Steps

• Connect Telegram — easiest channel to set up
• Install skills — browse 5,700+ on ClawHub
• Customize your agent — personality, memory, workspace
• Multi-agent routing — different agents for different channels