OpenClaw Installation Guide: Three Ways to Install on Any Platform

OpenClaw installs in under five minutes on most machines, but the method you choose determines how much maintenance you sign up for later. The curl script is fastest. Docker gives you isolation and reproducible updates. Hostinger’s one-click installer removes the terminal entirely. This guide covers all three methods across macOS, Linux, and Windows WSL2 so you can pick the right one for your situation and get a running agent on the first attempt.

This article focuses exclusively on installation. Once OpenClaw is running, head to our 10-step setup guide for workspace configuration, memory optimization, model selection, and Telegram integration.

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Before You Install: Pre-Flight Checklist

Run these checks before touching the installer. Skipping prerequisites is the top reason installations fail.

Hardware Minimums

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 cores (x86_64 or ARM64)	4 cores
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
Storage	10 GB free	20 GB (SSD)

For detailed specs by deployment scenario, see our OpenClaw hardware requirements guide.

Software Prerequisites

Node.js 22 or higher is required for the curl script and bare-metal installs. Check your version:

node --version

If the output shows anything below v22.0.0, update Node.js from nodejs.org before proceeding. On macOS, brew install node pulls the latest LTS. On Ubuntu/Debian:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Git is required for the Docker method. Confirm it is installed:

git --version

Pre-Flight Verification Script

Copy and run this script to check all prerequisites at once:

echo "=== OpenClaw Pre-Flight Check ==="
echo ""
echo "OS: $(uname -s) $(uname -r)"
echo "Arch: $(uname -m)"
echo ""

# Node.js check
if command -v node &> /dev/null; then
  NODE_VER=$(node --version)
  NODE_MAJOR=$(echo $NODE_VER | cut -d. -f1 | tr -d 'v')
  if [ "$NODE_MAJOR" -ge 22 ]; then
    echo "[PASS] Node.js $NODE_VER"
  else
    echo "[FAIL] Node.js $NODE_VER — need v22+"
  fi
else
  echo "[FAIL] Node.js not found"
fi

# Disk space check
FREE_GB=$(df -BG . 2>/dev/null | tail -1 | awk '{print $4}' | tr -d 'G' || echo "?")
echo "[INFO] Free disk space: ${FREE_GB}GB"

# Git check
if command -v git &> /dev/null; then
  echo "[PASS] Git $(git --version | awk '{print $3}')"
else
  echo "[WARN] Git not found (needed for Docker method)"
fi

# Docker check
if command -v docker &> /dev/null; then
  echo "[PASS] Docker $(docker --version | awk '{print $3}' | tr -d ',')"
else
  echo "[INFO] Docker not installed (only needed for Docker method)"
fi

echo ""
echo "=== Pre-flight complete ==="

If every line shows PASS or INFO, you are ready to install.

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Method 1: Curl Script (macOS and Linux)

This is the fastest path to a running agent. The official install script downloads OpenClaw, installs dependencies, and walks you through an interactive onboarding wizard.

macOS

Open Terminal and run:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

The script will prompt you to:

1. Choose a model provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or a local model)
2. Enter your API key for the chosen provider
3. Configure the local Gateway (the process that routes API calls)

Follow the prompts. The entire process takes about two minutes on a typical connection.

Ubuntu / Debian Linux

The same curl command works on Linux:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Two common gotchas on Linux:

• Permission errors: If the script fails with EACCES, you likely need to fix npm’s default directory. Run mkdir ~/.npm-global && npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global' and add export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH to your ~/.bashrc, then retry.
• Missing build tools: Some Node.js native modules require a C compiler. Install them with sudo apt-get install -y build-essential before running the install script.

Verify the Installation

After the installer finishes, confirm OpenClaw is available:

openclaw --version

You should see a version number like 1.x.x. If the command is not found, your shell may need a restart:

source ~/.bashrc   # Linux
source ~/.zshrc    # macOS (zsh)

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Method 2: Install on Windows with WSL2

OpenClaw does not run natively on Windows. It requires the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2), which gives you a real Linux environment inside Windows.

Step 1: Enable WSL2

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

This installs WSL2 with Ubuntu as the default distribution. Restart your computer when prompted.

After reboot, WSL will launch automatically and ask you to create a Linux username and password. These are separate from your Windows credentials.

Step 2: Install Node.js Inside WSL

Open your WSL terminal (search “Ubuntu” in the Start menu) and install Node.js:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs build-essential

Verify:

node --version

Step 3: Run the Install Script

Now install OpenClaw the same way as Linux:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

Follow the onboarding prompts. When it finishes, run openclaw --version to confirm.

Windows-Specific Notes

• File paths: Your WSL home directory is at \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\yourusername in Windows Explorer. You can edit OpenClaw workspace files from either side.
• Network access: WSL2 shares your Windows network connection. If your corporate firewall blocks the download, try from a personal network first.
• Performance: Keep OpenClaw’s files inside the WSL filesystem (~/), not on /mnt/c/. Accessing Windows drives from WSL has significant I/O overhead.

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Method 3: Docker Installation

Docker isolates OpenClaw from your host system and makes updates a one-command operation. About 65% of production OpenClaw deployments use Docker Compose.

Quick Start

git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
cp .env.example .env

Edit .env with your API keys, then run:

docker compose up -d

OpenClaw starts in detached mode. Check status with:

docker compose logs -f

When to Use Docker

Docker is the right choice when:

• You want process isolation from your host OS
• You plan to run OpenClaw on a VPS or server long-term
• You want reproducible deployments and rollbacks
• You need resource limits (CPU, memory caps)

For a production-ready Docker Compose configuration with health checks, volume persistence, and security hardening, see our complete Docker deployment guide.

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Method 4: Hostinger One-Click Install

If you want OpenClaw running 24/7 without managing a server, Hostinger offers a one-click installer from their VPS marketplace. No terminal required.

The process takes about five minutes: create a Hostinger account, pick a KVM 2 plan (around $12/month), select OpenClaw from the marketplace, and connect your Telegram bot. Our full Hostinger setup walkthrough covers every click.

This is the best option for non-developers or anyone who does not want to maintain their own infrastructure.

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Which Installation Method Should You Choose?

Factor	Curl Script	Docker	Hostinger
Setup time	2-5 minutes	5-10 minutes	5 minutes
Terminal required	Yes	Yes	No
Runs 24/7	Only if host is on	Only if host is on	Yes
Update process	Re-run install script	docker compose pull && up -d	Automatic
Isolation from host	None	Full container isolation	Full (separate VPS)
Monthly cost	$0 (your hardware)	$0 (your hardware)	~$12/month
Best for	Local dev, laptops	Servers, VPS, production	Non-technical users

Our recommendation: Start with the curl script on your laptop to learn how OpenClaw works. When you are ready to run it continuously, move to Docker on a VPS or use Hostinger’s managed option.

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Troubleshooting Installation Failures

”command not found: openclaw” After Install

The install script adds OpenClaw to your PATH, but your current shell session may not have reloaded it. Run source ~/.bashrc (or ~/.zshrc on macOS) and try again. If that does not help, check whether the binary exists:

which openclaw || find ~ -name "openclaw" -type f 2>/dev/null | head -5

Node.js Version Mismatch

The installer checks your Node.js version and exits if it is below 22. If you have multiple Node.js versions installed via nvm, make sure the correct one is active:

nvm use 22
nvm alias default 22

Permission Denied Errors on Linux

npm’s default global directory sometimes requires root access. Instead of using sudo npm install, reconfigure npm to use a user-owned directory:

mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Then re-run the install script.

Docker Compose Fails to Start

If docker compose up exits immediately, check the logs:

docker compose logs --tail=50

Common causes: missing .env file (copy from .env.example), port 3000 already in use (change the port mapping in docker-compose.yml), or Docker daemon not running (sudo systemctl start docker).

Download Timeout or Network Errors

If the curl script hangs or times out, your network may be blocking the download. Try:

curl -v https://openclaw.ai/install.sh

The -v flag shows connection details. If you see a TLS or connection refused error, check your firewall or proxy settings. Corporate networks sometimes block script downloads from unknown domains.

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What to Do After Installation

Installation gives you a running OpenClaw instance. To make it useful, you need to configure it. Here is the recommended sequence:

1. Configure workspace files — personalize your agent’s behavior, personality, and memory. Follow our 10-step setup guide.
2. Connect a messaging app — Telegram is the most common. The setup guide covers this in Steps 5-6.
3. Set up the heartbeat — enable the 30-minute proactive action cycle so your agent works even when you are not chatting with it.
4. Optimize your model configuration — choose which LLM handles which tasks to balance quality and cost. See our API costs guide for model routing strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to install OpenClaw?

The curl script finishes in two to five minutes depending on your internet speed and whether Node.js is already installed. Docker takes five to ten minutes including the initial image pull. Hostinger’s one-click installer takes about five minutes from account creation to a running agent.

Do I need an OpenAI API key to install OpenClaw?

You need at least one LLM provider API key to complete the installation wizard. OpenAI is the most common choice, but OpenClaw also supports Anthropic, Google Gemini, Groq, and local models like Ollama. You pick your provider during the onboarding flow.

Can I install OpenClaw on a Raspberry Pi?

OpenClaw supports ARM64, so it runs on a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 4 GB of RAM. Performance will be limited compared to a full server, but it works for text-only agents without browser automation. Use the curl script method and install Node.js 22 via the NodeSource repository.

What Node.js version does OpenClaw require?

Node.js 22 or higher. Earlier versions will cause the installer to fail. Check your version with node --version and update from nodejs.org if needed.

How do I install OpenClaw without Docker?

Use the curl script method: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash. This installs OpenClaw directly on your machine without containerization. You need Node.js 22+ and a supported OS (macOS 13+, Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, or Windows 11 with WSL2).

Can I run OpenClaw on a VPS instead of my laptop?

A VPS is the recommended approach for production use. It keeps OpenClaw running 24/7 so the heartbeat, cron jobs, and messaging integrations never go offline. Use the curl script or Docker method on any VPS with at least 2 CPU cores and 4 GB of RAM, or use Hostinger’s managed one-click option to skip server management entirely.

How do I update OpenClaw after installing it?

For curl script installs, re-run the install script to pull the latest version. For Docker, run docker compose pull && docker compose up -d. Hostinger handles updates automatically. Our OpenClaw update guide covers version management in detail.

What do I do if the install script fails?

Check the error message. The three most common causes are: wrong Node.js version (need 22+), npm permission errors on Linux (fix with a user-owned global directory), and network timeouts (check firewall settings). The troubleshooting section above covers each scenario with specific fix commands.

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Key Takeaways

• OpenClaw has three installation paths: curl script (fastest), Docker (most isolated), and Hostinger one-click (most managed). Pick based on your technical comfort and whether you need 24/7 uptime.
• Run the pre-flight checklist before installing to catch missing prerequisites early. Node.js 22+ is the requirement that trips up most people.
• Installation and setup are separate steps. This guide gets OpenClaw running; the setup guide configures it into a useful assistant.
• For production deployments, Docker on a VPS or Hostinger’s managed hosting beat running OpenClaw on a laptop that shuts down when you close the lid.