Getting Started with OpenClaw

OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI gateway that connects messaging apps to AI agents.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Node.js 22 or higher
• An API key (Anthropic recommended)
• Basic command line knowledge
• A code editor (VS Code recommended)

Quick Start

1. Install OpenClaw

The easiest way to install OpenClaw is using npm:

npm install -g openclaw-gateway

This will install the gateway globally on your system.

2. Initialize Configuration

Create a new directory for your OpenClaw setup:

mkdir my-openclaw-gateway
cd my-openclaw-gateway
openclaw init

This will create a basic configuration file.

3. Configure Your API Key

Edit the generated .openclaw/openclaw.json file:

{
  "model": {
    "provider": "anthropic",
    "apiKey": "your-api-key-here"
  }
}

Replace your-api-key-here with your actual API key.

4. Start the Gateway

Start your OpenClaw gateway:

openclaw gateway start

Your gateway is now running on http://localhost:18789

What's Next?

Congratulations! You've successfully set up your first OpenClaw gateway. Here are some things you can do next:

• Connect your first messaging channel (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord)
• Create your first AI skill
• Explore the browser control UI at http://localhost:18789/
• Read more tutorials to learn advanced features