How to start OpenClaw?

To start OpenClaw, you install it from its public GitHub repository, configure your API keys for a language model provider, and then run the local service so it can connect to your preferred messaging platform. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes for someone comfortable with the command line, though there are also managed hosting options that eliminate the setup entirely.

Self-Hosted Installation

Running OpenClaw on your own machine gives you full control over the agent, your data, and its configuration. Here is the general process:

• Clone the repository -- pull the OpenClaw source code from GitHub using <code>git clone</code>. The project is open source under the MIT license, so there are no access restrictions.
• Install dependencies -- OpenClaw requires Node.js (version 18 or later) and a few npm packages. Run the install command from the project directory to pull everything in.
• Create a configuration file -- copy the example configuration template and fill in your settings. This is where you specify your LLM provider, API keys, and agent behavior preferences.
• Start the agent runtime -- launch OpenClaw with the start command. The agent will initialize, connect to your chosen language model, and begin listening for messages.

Community-maintained tutorials provide copy-paste commands for popular operating systems including macOS, Ubuntu, and Windows via WSL. Most users report a smooth setup experience when following the official documentation step by step.

Configuration Essentials

The configuration file is the heart of your OpenClaw setup. It determines how the agent behaves, what it can access, and which services it connects to. Key settings include:

• Model provider credentials -- your API key for Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), or another supported LLM provider. This is required for OpenClaw to function, as the agent sends your requests to the model for processing.
• Permission levels -- define what OpenClaw is allowed to do on your system. You can restrict it to read-only file access, limit which directories it can reach, or give it broader permissions for full automation capabilities.
• Security boundaries -- configure sandboxing options, network access rules, and credential management. Security experts recommend starting with minimal permissions and expanding only as needed.
• Agent personality and behavior -- customize how OpenClaw responds, its verbosity level, default language, and whether it should ask for confirmation before taking actions.

Many users maintain separate configuration profiles for different use cases -- a restrictive setup for daily tasks and a more permissive one for supervised development work, for example.

Connecting to Messaging Platforms

Once OpenClaw is running, you need to link it to a messaging platform so you can interact with it conversationally. Each platform has its own connection process:

• Telegram -- create a bot through BotFather, obtain a bot token, and add it to your OpenClaw configuration. This is the most popular and well-documented integration.
• WhatsApp -- connect through the WhatsApp Business API or a community bridge. OpenClaw then appears as a regular contact in your WhatsApp chat list.
• Slack -- set up a Slack app in your workspace, generate the necessary OAuth tokens, and configure OpenClaw to listen for messages in specific channels or direct messages.
• Discord -- create a Discord bot application, add it to your server, and provide the bot token in your OpenClaw configuration file.
• Signal -- link OpenClaw to a Signal account for end-to-end encrypted agent communication, using the Signal CLI bridge.

After connecting, send your first message to OpenClaw through the chosen platform. If everything is configured correctly, the agent will respond and you can begin assigning tasks immediately.

The Easier Alternative: Managed Hosting

If you would rather skip the installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance, OpenClaw.Direct offers a managed hosting service that handles everything for you. For $19 per month, you get:

• Instant setup -- your OpenClaw instance is provisioned and ready to use within minutes, with no terminal commands or configuration files required
• Automatic updates -- new OpenClaw releases are deployed to your instance automatically, so you always have the latest features and security patches
• Infrastructure management -- server uptime, backups, monitoring, and maintenance are all handled for you
• Pre-configured integrations -- connect to Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and other platforms through a simple web dashboard rather than editing configuration files
• Support -- access to documentation and assistance if you run into issues or want help customizing your agent

Managed hosting is especially popular with teams and non-technical users who want the benefits of an autonomous AI agent without the overhead of system administration. You still supply your own LLM API key, so you maintain control over model choice and usage costs.