Install ClawdBot
Complete setup guide for macOS, Windows, Linux, VPS & Docker. Get your personal AI assistant (OpenClaw / Clawd Bot) running in under 5 minutes.
ClawdBot Prerequisites
Node.js 22+
Required runtime. The one-liner installer handles this automatically.
Download Node.js →AI Provider Key
Anthropic API key, Claude Pro subscription, or any OpenAI-compatible provider.
Get Anthropic Key →Messaging App
WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, or iMessage. You need at least one.
Hardware
Minimum 1GB RAM, 500MB disk. Works on Mac Mini, Raspberry Pi, old laptop, or $5/mo VPS.
⚡ One-liner Install
Works on macOS & Linux. Installs Node.js and everything else automatically.
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash$ npm install -g openclaw@latest
# or: pnpm add -g openclaw@latest🍎 Install on macOS
Works on both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4). Mac Mini is a popular choice for 24/7 operation.
Install via one-liner (recommended)
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashOr install via npm/pnpm (if Node.js 22+ already installed)
$ npm install -g openclaw@latestRun onboarding wizard
The wizard sets up your model/auth, workspace, channels, and installs the daemon (LaunchAgent) so OpenClaw runs 24/7.
$ openclaw onboard🪟 Install on Windows
Windows requires WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2). Native Windows is not supported — WSL2 is strongly recommended by the OpenClaw team.
Enable WSL2 (run in PowerShell as Administrator)
PS> wsl --installRestart your computer after WSL2 installs.
Inside WSL2, run the Linux installer
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashRun onboarding wizard
$ openclaw onboard🐧 Install on Linux
Works on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and most other distros. Minimum 1GB RAM.
Run the installer
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashRun onboarding
$ openclaw onboardRun as systemd service (for 24/7 operation)
The onboarding wizard installs the systemd user service automatically. To install it manually:
$ openclaw gateway install🐳 Install with Docker
Best for containerized environments. Requires Docker and Docker Compose.
Clone the repository
$ git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
$ cd openclawRun the Docker setup script
$ ./docker-setup.shStart with Docker Compose (auto-restart enabled)
$ docker compose up -dThe --restart unless-stopped flag is included by default, so ClawdBot restarts automatically after reboots.
☁️ Deploy on VPS
Run ClawdBot 24/7 on a cloud server. A $5/month VPS is enough for most users.
SSH into your VPS and run the installer
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashRun onboarding
$ openclaw onboardEnable service for auto-restart
The onboarding wizard installs the systemd user service automatically. To install it manually:
$ openclaw gateway install🍓 Install on Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 works great as a low-power, always-on ClawdBot server. Raspberry Pi 3 is the minimum.
Flash Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) and SSH in
Use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash the OS. Enable SSH in the imager settings.
Run the installer
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashRun onboarding and enable service
The onboarding wizard installs the systemd user service automatically.
$ openclaw onboard💬 Connect ClawdBot to Your Messaging App
After installation, connect at least one messaging platform. WhatsApp and Telegram are the most popular.
Scan a QR code via Linked Devices — same as WhatsApp Web. Configure via the onboarding wizard or add to your config file.
$ openclaw onboardTelegram
Create a bot via @BotFather, get the token, and add it to your config. Fastest setup — takes 2 minutes.
$ openclaw onboardDiscord
Create a Discord application and bot token in the Developer Portal, then configure via the wizard.
$ openclaw onboardSlack
Create a Slack app, install it to your workspace, and add the bot/app tokens to your config.
$ openclaw onboardClawdBot FAQ — Common Install Questions
What's the difference between ClawdBot, Clawd Bot, Moltbot, and OpenClaw?
They're all the same project. It launched as Clawd Bot (also written ClawdBot) in early 2025, was briefly renamed to Moltbot after a trademark request from Anthropic, then settled on OpenClaw. The CLI command is now `openclaw`. This site covers all names since many users still search for the original ones.
Do I need a Mac Mini to run ClawdBot?
No. ClawdBot runs on any machine with 1GB RAM and Node.js 22+. A Mac Mini is popular for 24/7 home use, but a $5/month VPS, Raspberry Pi 4, or any old laptop works just as well.
Is ClawdBot free?
Yes, ClawdBot (OpenClaw) is 100% free and open source (MIT license). You only pay for your AI provider — Anthropic API usage, or reuse your existing Claude Pro/Max subscription via OAuth.
Is it safe to run on my main computer?
ClawdBot has system access (files, shell commands, browser). For security, it's recommended to run it on a dedicated machine, VPS, or Raspberry Pi rather than your primary computer.
What AI models does it support?
Claude (Anthropic), GPT-4 / GPT-4o (OpenAI), and any OpenAI-compatible API including local models via LM Studio or Ollama.
How do I update ClawdBot?
Re-run the website installer — it detects existing installs and upgrades in place:
$ curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashOr update via npm/pnpm directly:
$ pnpm add -g openclaw@latestReady to get started?
Join thousands of users running their own personal AI assistant.
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