Complete OpenClaw Setup Guide

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an AI gateway that lets you run autonomous agents across messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack), with access to tools, cron scheduling, memory, and more. Think of it as the infrastructure layer for personal AI assistants that actually do things.

Prerequisites

• macOS (14.0+) or Linux (x64/arm64)
• Node.js 20+ (recommended: install via nvm)
• An API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, or other supported provider

Installation

# Install OpenClaw globally
npm install -g openclaw

# Verify installation
openclaw --version

# Run initial setup (creates config at ~/.openclaw/)
openclaw setup

Configuration Basics

The main config file lives at ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json. Here's a minimal example:

{
  "model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4",
  "providers": {
    "anthropic": {
      "apiKey": "sk-ant-..."
    }
  },
  "workspace": "~/.openclaw/workspace"
}

Adding a Channel (WhatsApp Example)

Channels connect OpenClaw to messaging platforms. Here's how to add WhatsApp:

{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowlist": ["+1234567890"]
    }
  }
}

After adding the config, restart OpenClaw and scan the QR code with your phone to link.

Installing Skills

Skills extend what OpenClaw can do. Use ClawHub to discover and install them:

# Search available skills
npx clawhub search "email"

# Install a skill
npx clawhub install himalaya

# List installed skills
openclaw skills list

Common Issues

Gateway won't start

Check logs at ~/.openclaw/logs/gateway.log. Common causes:

• Invalid JSON in config file (syntax error)
• Missing API key or wrong provider name
• Port already in use (default: 3030)

WhatsApp QR code not appearing

Run openclaw doctor to check status. If the gateway is running but no QR, try clearing the session data at ~/.openclaw/whatsapp/.

Skills not loading

Ensure the skill path is correct in your workspace. Skills should have a SKILL.md file at their root.

Next Steps

• Set up cron jobs for scheduled tasks
• Configure memory files for persistent context
• Add more channels (Telegram, Discord, Slack)
• Build custom skills for your specific workflows