How to Install OpenClaw on Mac, Windows, and Linux
A complete installation guide for OpenClaw across all major operating systems — with troubleshooting tips for the most common setup errors.
Install OmniScriber — FreeExport your OpenClaw troubleshooting chats with OmniScriber
Why OpenClaw Installation Can Be Tricky
Installing OpenClaw isn't as simple as downloading an app from an app store. As a developer-focused local AI agent, it requires a few moving parts to be in place before the installation itself — and each operating system has its own quirks that can trip up even experienced users.
The most common installation problems stem from Node.js version mismatches, missing environment variables for API keys, and OS-level permission issues that prevent the agent from accessing the shell or file system. On Windows, the lack of a native Unix shell adds another layer of complexity.
This guide walks through the installation process for each major operating system, highlights the most common failure points, and gives you the commands you need to verify that everything is working correctly before you start using OpenClaw for real tasks.
Prerequisites Before You Install
Node.js v18 or higher: OpenClaw is built on Node.js. Check your version with `node --version`. If you're on an older version, use nvm (Node Version Manager) to install and switch to v18+.
An AI model API key or local model: You'll need either an Anthropic API key (for Claude), an OpenAI API key (for GPT-4), or a local model running via Ollama. Without this, OpenClaw has no brain to work with.
Git (optional but recommended): If you want to install from source or contribute to the project, you'll need Git. For most users, the npm installation is sufficient.
WSL on Windows: Windows users will have a significantly better experience running OpenClaw inside WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Many shell operations that OpenClaw relies on work more reliably in a Linux environment.
Installation Steps by Operating System
macOS: Install via npm
Open Terminal and run: npm install -g openclaw. If you get a permissions error, use: sudo npm install -g openclaw. After installation, set your API key: export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_key_here (add this to your ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc to persist it).
Linux: Install via npm
The process is identical to macOS. Run npm install -g openclaw in your terminal. If you're using a system Node.js installation, you may need sudo. Consider using nvm to manage Node.js versions without sudo requirements.
Windows: Set up WSL first
Enable WSL 2 via PowerShell (wsl --install), then install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store. Inside WSL, install Node.js via nvm, then run npm install -g openclaw. This gives you a full Linux environment for OpenClaw.
Verify the installation
Run openclaw --version to confirm the installation succeeded. Then run openclaw and give it a simple test task: 'What files are in the current directory?' If it responds correctly, your setup is working.
Configure your model
Create or edit the OpenClaw config file (usually ~/.openclaw/config.json) to specify your preferred model, API endpoint, and any other settings. The default configuration works for most users with a cloud model.
Why Use OmniScriber Alongside OpenClaw?
Save troubleshooting conversations
Installation errors lead to long debugging sessions with ChatGPT or Claude. OmniScriber saves those conversations so you can reference them later — or share them with others who hit the same issues.
Build an installation runbook
Export your successful installation conversation to Markdown or Notion and turn it into a personal runbook. Next time you set up a new machine, you'll have a step-by-step guide ready.
Archive error messages and fixes
Cryptic error messages are easier to deal with when you can search your past conversations. OmniScriber makes every AI debugging session permanently searchable.
Share setup guides with your team
If you're setting up OpenClaw for a team, export your installation conversation as a PDF or Markdown file and share it with everyone — saving each person hours of trial and error.
OpenClaw Installation FAQ
Save Your Troubleshooting Chats — Never Repeat the Same Fix
Install OmniScriber — FreeExport your OpenClaw setup conversations to Notion, Markdown, or PDF