Install OpenClaw
The AI that actually does things: clear your inbox, send emails, manage your calendar, check in for flights—all from WhatsApp, Telegram, or any chat app you already use.
Works on macOS, Linux, and Windows (via WSL2). Your data stays on your machine by default.
Choose your platform
Option 1: One-liner (recommended)
The script installs Node.js and dependencies for you. Works for most users.
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Option 2: npm
If you already have Node.js installed:
npm i -g openclaw
Option 3: From source (hackable)
For developers who want to read or modify the code:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
Or manually: git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git && cd openclaw && pnpm install && pnpm run build, then run pnpm run openclaw onboard.
After installing
Run this to meet your lobster and complete onboarding:
openclaw onboard
macOS users can also download the Companion App (Beta, requires macOS 14+) for menubar access.
Option 1: One-liner (recommended)
Works on most Linux distros. The script installs Node.js and dependencies.
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Option 2: npm
If you already have Node.js:
npm i -g openclaw
Option 3: From source
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
After installing
openclaw onboard
On Windows, OpenClaw is best run via WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) for full compatibility and features.
Step 1: Enable WSL2 and install Ubuntu
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
wsl --install
Restart when prompted, then complete Ubuntu’s initial setup (username and password).
Step 2: Install OpenClaw inside WSL/Ubuntu
Open Ubuntu (or Windows Terminal with WSL) and run the official one-liner:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Step 3: Complete onboarding
openclaw onboard
(Optional) 24/7 background service
To run OpenClaw as a background service, enable systemd in WSL and run:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
To enable systemd in WSL: add [boot] systemd=true to /etc/wsl.conf, then run wsl --shutdown and reopen WSL.
Requirements: Windows 10/11 (build 19041+), 8GB+ RAM recommended, virtualization enabled in BIOS.