Installation

Get OpenClaw (Moltbot) running on your machine in minutes

Requirements

Node.js 18+

OpenClaw (Moltbot) requires Node.js version 18 or higher. Download from nodejs.org

Operating System

Works on Windows 10+, macOS 12+, or any modern Linux distribution.

AI Provider API Key

An API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, or a local model setup.

Installation Steps

1

Install via npm

Open your terminal and run:

npm install -g clawdbot

This installs OpenClaw (Moltbot) globally on your system.

2

Run the onboarding

Start the interactive setup wizard:

clawd onboard

This will guide you through:

  • Choosing your AI model provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, or local)
  • Entering your API key
  • Connecting your chat platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
  • Setting up persistent memory
3

Start OpenClaw (Moltbot)

Launch the bot:

clawd

OpenClaw (Moltbot) is now running! Send a message from your connected chat app to test it.

Alternative Installation Methods

Using Docker

docker pull openclaw/openclaw
docker run -it openclaw/openclaw

Great for isolated environments.

From Source

git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
cd openclaw
npm install
npm run build

For developers who want to contribute.

Configuration

OpenClaw (Moltbot) stores its configuration in ~/.config/openclaw/config.json. You can edit this file directly or use:

clawd config

Common configuration options:

  • model — The AI model to use (e.g., "claude-3-sonnet")
  • channels — Connected chat platforms
  • memory — Persistent memory settings
  • sandbox — Security sandbox mode (true/false)

Verify Installation

Check that OpenClaw (Moltbot) is installed correctly:

clawd --version

You should see the version number displayed. If you encounter issues, check the troubleshooting guide.

Next Steps: Now that OpenClaw (Moltbot) is installed, learn about its features or set up integrations with your favorite apps.