Installer Script

One-command install via curl. Handles Node detection, installation, and onboarding wizard automatically.

The Installer Script is the officially recommended way to get OpenClaw running for the first time. It's a single curl command that detects your operating system, checks whether Node.js is already installed (and installs it if not), installs OpenClaw globally via npm, and launches the interactive onboarding wizard — all without requiring any prior technical knowledge. The script supports macOS, Linux, and Windows (via WSL2 or native PowerShell). On macOS and Linux, it uses the standard bash pipe pattern. On Windows, a separate PowerShell script handles the same flow. You can also pass flags like `--no-onboard` to skip the wizard for CI/automation scenarios, or use it in headless environments where interactive prompts aren't available. After installation, the onboarding wizard walks you through selecting a model provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.), setting up your first messaging channel (Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord), and installing the gateway as a system daemon so it survives reboots. The entire process typically takes under 5 minutes from zero to a working AI assistant. This is the path that the OpenClaw team recommends for anyone who isn't already managing their own Node.js environment or doesn't need containerized isolation. It's the lowest-friction entry point to the entire ecosystem, and the one most community guides and YouTube tutorials reference as the starting point.

Tags: installer, one-command, beginner, recommended

Use Cases

  • First-time OpenClaw users who want the fastest path to a working AI assistant
  • Personal productivity setup on a Mac or Linux desktop
  • Quick evaluation or demo of OpenClaw capabilities before committing to a production deployment
  • Setting up OpenClaw on a friend's or colleague's machine with minimal friction
  • CI/CD pipelines that need OpenClaw installed as part of a larger automation workflow

Tips

  • Run openclaw doctor after install to catch any configuration issues before they become problems
  • Use --no-onboard flag for scripted/CI installs where interactive prompts aren't available
  • Set API provider spending caps immediately after setup — runaway agent loops can burn through credits
  • Start with a cheap model (Haiku or GPT-4.1-mini) for daily tasks, upgrade to heavier models for complex work
  • Write detailed SOUL.md and memory instructions early — generic defaults stay generic for weeks
  • The installer automatically installs the daemon — your agent survives terminal closures and reboots
  • Run openclaw gateway status anytime to verify the gateway is running properly

Known Issues & Gotchas

  • The script pipes curl output to bash — review the script first if you're security-conscious: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | less
  • On some Linux distros, the npm global bin directory isn't in PATH — you may need to add $(npm prefix -g)/bin to your shell config
  • If you have a globally installed libvips, the sharp dependency may fail — set SHARP_IGNORE_GLOBAL_LIBVIPS=1 before running
  • The installer requires Node 22.16+ or Node 24 — older Node versions will cause silent failures in some features
  • On corporate networks with proxy/firewall, the curl download may fail silently — check connectivity first
  • Windows native PowerShell install works but WSL2 is more stable for long-term use

Alternatives

  • npm / pnpm
  • Docker
  • Managed hosting (Clawdi, xCloud)
  • From Source

Community Feedback

The official install assumes you know docker, reverse proxies, SSL, terminal commands, all of it. The curl installer is the one that actually works for normal people.

— Reddit r/AI_Agents

I ran the one-liner on my Mac and had Telegram responding in under 5 minutes. The onboarding wizard is genuinely well-designed.

— Reddit r/selfhosted

Set a spending cap at your API provider before anything else. Automated task loops have cost people real money.

— Reddit r/selfhosted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to pipe curl to bash?

It's a common pattern used by many tools (Homebrew, Rust, Deno). If you're concerned, download the script first with curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh -o install.sh, inspect it, then run bash install.sh. The script is open source and auditable.

What if I already have Node.js installed?

The installer detects your existing Node version. If it's Node 22.16+ or Node 24+, it skips the Node installation step and goes straight to installing OpenClaw via npm. No conflicts with your existing setup.

Does the installer work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes, the installer fully supports ARM64 (Apple Silicon) Macs running macOS Ventura or later. Node.js has native ARM64 binaries, so there's no Rosetta overhead.

Can I run the installer without the onboarding wizard?

Yes, pass the --no-onboard flag: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --no-onboard. This installs OpenClaw but skips the interactive setup, useful for scripted or CI environments.

How do I update OpenClaw after installing with the script?

Run npm install -g openclaw@latest to update to the latest version, then restart the gateway with openclaw gateway restart. The installer itself doesn't need to be re-run.

What happens if the install fails halfway through?

The installer is idempotent — you can safely re-run it. It will detect what's already installed and pick up where it left off. Run openclaw doctor to diagnose any issues.