INSTALL GUIDE • OPENCLAW
Install OpenClaw with Windows, macOS, and Linux paths
Exact install paths, prerequisite checks, expected output, and failure recovery.
Where to download first
Open your browser and go to https://nodejs.org/en/download for Node.js LTS and https://git-scm.com/downloads for Git. On Windows, you can also use winget commands below.
Windows install path (PowerShell)
Click Start, type PowerShell, click Windows PowerShell, then paste this block.
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
winget install Git.Git
node -v
npm -v
git --version
npm install -g openclaw
openclaw help
openclaw gateway start
openclaw gateway statusExpected result: Version numbers print, then help text prints, then gateway status shows running.
npm cache verify, then run npm install -g openclaw again.macOS install path (Terminal)
Open Safari, go to Node.js download, install LTS package. Then open Terminal and run:
node -v
npm -v
git --version
npm install -g openclaw
openclaw help
openclaw gateway start
openclaw gateway statusExpected result: Same as Windows: versions, help screen, running gateway status.
which node and which npm. If empty, restart Mac and reopen Terminal.Linux install path (Ubuntu/Debian style)
Open Terminal and run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nodejs npm git
node -v
npm -v
git --version
sudo npm install -g openclaw
openclaw help
openclaw gateway start
openclaw gateway statusExpected result: Commands are found and gateway shows running.
sudo npm cache verify and retry install. If openclaw is not found, open a new terminal window.Verification commands
openclaw help
openclaw gateway status
openclaw gateway restart
openclaw gateway statusExpected result: Help works, restart works, status stays healthy.
OpenClaw usage guide
After install, complete the use guide for real day-to-day tasks.
Open usage guide →Guides hub
See the full Install → Use → Combine path.
Open guides hub →