OpenClaw Setup Guide

Step 1: Install OpenClaw

# Install via npm
npm install -g openclaw

# Or via Homebrew
brew install openclaw

# Verify installation
openclaw --version

Step 2: Initialize OpenClaw

# Run the setup wizard
openclaw init

# This will:
# - Create ~/.openclaw directory
# - Generate openclaw.json config
# - Set up memory backend
# - Configure default models

Configure API Keys:

Edit ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "anthropic": {
        "apiKey": "your-anthropic-key"
      },
      "openai": {
        "apiKey": "your-openai-key"
      },
      "ollama": {
        "baseUrl": "http://localhost:11434/v1"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Essential Commands

Start Gateway:

# Start the OpenClaw gateway
openclaw gateway start

# Check status
openclaw gateway status

# Restart after config changes
openclaw gateway restart

Update OpenClaw (Important!):

# Update to latest version
openclaw update

# Then restart gateway
openclaw gateway restart

Note: After updating, your Mac mini UI app will use protocol v4. Gateway restart ensures compatibility.

Claude Code Commands (via OpenClaw):

# Resume background session
/resume

# Change model for current session only
/model claude-sonnet-4

# Set default model for new sessions (press 'd' in model picker)

# Check usage credits
/usage-credits

# List plugins with last-updated timestamps
/plugin browse
/plugin discover

Step 4: Connect Messaging Platforms

Telegram:

# Add Telegram bot
openclaw telegram add --token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN

# Bot token from @BotFather on Telegram

Discord:

# Add Discord bot
openclaw discord add --token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN

# Bot token from Discord Developer Portal

Pair Mobile Device:

# Show QR code for pairing
openclaw nodes pair

# Scan QR with OpenClaw mobile app (iOS/Android)

🔧 Troubleshooting