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OpenClaw Setup Guide

Complete guide to configuring OpenClaw, connecting channels, and getting your AI agent running.

Quick Start (3 Steps)

1.
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Run the setup wizard

2.
openclaw dashboard

Open Control UI and start chatting

3.
openclaw channels login telegram

Connect a chat channel

New to OpenClaw? First-time installation? → See Installation Guide

Run the Setup Wizard

The wizard guides you through auth setup, gateway config, and optional channels:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

This installs OpenClaw as a service that auto-starts on boot.

What the Wizard Asks

Here's what each prompt means and suggested answers:

1. Auth Choice

Choose how to authenticate with AI providers:

  • API Key - Paste your key directly (easiest)
  • Environment Variable - Use existing $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY etc.
  • OAuth - Sign in through provider (some providers)

2. Model Selection

Which AI model to use. Recommended for beginners:

  • claude-sonnet-4-20250514 - Best balance of speed/cost
  • claude-opus-4-20250514 - Most capable, slower
  • gpt-4o - Good OpenAI alternative

3. Gateway Mode

How the gateway connects:

  • local - Same machine (recommended for beginners)
  • remote - Connect to gateway on another machine

4. Channel Setup (Optional)

Connect chat platforms now or later:

  • Telegram - Requires @BotFather token
  • Discord - Requires bot token from Developer Portal
  • WhatsApp - Requires QR code scan
  • Skip - Use dashboard only for now

Dashboard Overview

Open openclaw dashboard to access these areas:

💬 Chat

Your main conversation area. Type messages and get AI responses. Works without any channel setup.

📊 Agents

Configure AI agents. Each agent has its own personality, model, and tools.

🔌 Channels

Manage connected chat platforms. See status, send test messages, configure policies.

🧠 Memory

What the AI remembers across conversations. Can be searched and edited.

⚙️ Settings

Model configuration, system prompts, and advanced options.

📝 Logs

Debug what's happening. Useful when something goes wrong.

Your First Conversation

Tips for testing OpenClaw is working:

✅ Test Messages

Try these to verify it's working:

  • "Hello, are you there?"
  • "What's 2 + 2?"
  • "Tell me a joke."
  • "What can you help me with?"

🔧 Useful Commands

While chatting, you can also:

  • /help - See available commands
  • /clear - Start a fresh conversation
  • /status - Check system status

🧠 Teaching the Agent

OpenClaw remembers your conversations. To teach it about you:

  • Tell it your name and what you do
  • Explain what kind of help you need
  • Share preferences (formal/casual, timezone, etc.)

Common Gotchas

Things that trip up new users:

🔴 Gateway Not Running

Most common issue. If you can't connect, check: openclaw gateway status

Fix: openclaw gateway start

🟡 API Key Not Set

If responses say "no model configured" or similar, your API key isn't set.

Fix: Run openclaw onboard again to set it

🟡 Messages Get No Response

Check channel pairing/approval. If using Telegram/Discord in "pairing" mode, you need to approve the sender.

Fix: openclaw pairing list to see pending

🟡 Bot Not Mentioned (Groups)

In group chats, the bot may ignore messages unless mentioned with @username.

Fix: Mention the bot (@YourBotName) or change requireMention setting

🔵 Dashboard vs Channel

The dashboard works immediately. Chat channels (Telegram, Discord) need additional setup.

Don't need channels? Just use the dashboard!

Start Chatting Immediately

The Control UI lets you chat immediately — no channel setup needed:

openclaw dashboard

Opens in your browser at http://127.0.0.1:18789

Connect a Chat Channel

Add Telegram, Discord, or WhatsApp to message from your phone:

Telegram
BotFather
Discord
Bot token
WhatsApp
QR code

Common Commands

Gateway

openclaw gateway
openclaw gateway status
openclaw gateway restart

Configuration

openclaw onboard
openclaw configure
openclaw models set

Debugging

openclaw logs --follow
openclaw doctor
openclaw status

Channels

openclaw channels status
openclaw channels login

Environment Variables

Useful for custom config locations:

# Config file location
export OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH=~/.config/openclaw.json
# State directory
export OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR=~/.openclaw
# API key
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

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