The Claw Report

How to Install OpenClaw

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OpenClaw runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Choose your method below.

Prerequisites

  • Node.js 18+ — Download Node.js
  • npm 9+ (included with Node.js)
  • Git (optional, for cloning from source)
  • Docker (optional, for containerized setup)

Check your versions:

node --version    # Should show v18.x or higher
npm --version     # Should show 9.x or higher

Option 1: Install via npm (Recommended)

The fastest way to get OpenClaw running.

# Install globally
npm install -g openclaw

# Verify installation
openclaw --version

# Start the agent
openclaw start

That's it. OpenClaw will launch its Control UI in your default browser.

Option 2: Install via Docker

Docker provides sandboxed isolation — a safer option for experimenting.

# Pull the official image
docker pull openclaw/openclaw:latest

# Run with default settings
docker run -d --name openclaw \
  -p 3000:3000 \
  openclaw/openclaw:latest

# Access the Control UI at http://localhost:3000

For production or persistent setups, see the DigitalOcean 1-Click deployment guide which includes TLS, reverse proxying, and non-root user configuration.

Option 3: Build from Source

For developers who want to customize or contribute.

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build
npm run build

# Start
npm start

After Installation

  • First run: OpenClaw will walk you through onboarding — connecting permissions, choosing default skills, and setting security preferences.
  • Install skills: Browse ClawHub for community-contributed skills. Always verify skill sources before installing.
  • Stay updated: Run npm update -g openclaw regularly — security patches land weekly.

Having trouble? Check the troubleshooting guide. New to OpenClaw? Start with usage & tutorials.