Launch your first OpenClaw network AI assistant in under 10 minutes. This quick start guide walks you through installing openclaw, configuring your first channel, and joining the openclaw network community.
Professional OpenClaw hosting infrastructure — join the network without local installation
Before installing the OpenClaw network, ensure you have these requirements ready. The openclaw network runs on your local hardware and requires a few basic components.
The OpenClaw network requires Node.js version 22 or higher. OpenClaw is built on Node.js and acts as a local runtime for your AI assistant.
Download Node.js →Choose your AI brain for the OpenClaw network: Claude Opus 4.6, GPT-5.3-Codex, or run local models via Ollama (qwen3-coder, glm-5). OpenClaw is model-agnostic.
View AI Models →The OpenClaw network supports macOS, Linux, and Windows. Install openclaw on the device where you want your AI assistant to run.
You'll need command line access to install and configure the OpenClaw network. Basic terminal familiarity helps but isn't required.
Install the OpenClaw network in seconds with either npm or our one-line installer script. Both methods install openclaw v2026.2.6, the latest version released February 7, 2026.
Install the OpenClaw network globally using npm. This method works on all platforms and is preferred by most openclaw users.
npm install -g openclaw@latestUse our automated installer script for the OpenClaw network. This script installs openclaw and sets up your environment automatically.
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bashAfter installing the OpenClaw network, verify openclaw is installed correctly by checking the version:
openclaw --version
Expected output: v2026.2.6 (or later)
The OpenClaw network includes an interactive onboarding wizard that sets up your first AI assistant in under 10 minutes. Run openclaw onboard to begin.
Start the OpenClaw network onboarding process. This interactive wizard guides you through connecting your first messaging platform to openclaw.
openclaw onboardChoose which messaging platform to connect to the OpenClaw network first. Options include WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, and more. You can add more channels later.
Connect your AI model to the OpenClaw network. Enter your API keys for Claude (Anthropic), GPT (OpenAI), or configure local models via Ollama. The openclaw network is model-agnostic.
The OpenClaw network onboarding wizard completes setup in under 10 minutes total. Your openclaw assistant is now running locally and connected to your chosen platform.
Now that your OpenClaw network assistant is running, test it with your first conversation. The openclaw network connects your messaging app to your local AI assistant.
Open the messaging platform you configured during openclaw onboarding (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, etc.) and start a conversation with your OpenClaw network assistant.
Try these commands to explore what your OpenClaw network assistant can do:
/help - View available openclaw commands/skills - List installed skills on openclaw/status - Check OpenClaw network statusAccess the OpenClaw network web interface to monitor your assistant, view token usage, and manage configuration:
The openclaw web dashboard (added in v2026.2.6) shows real-time activity, token usage, and provides controls for your OpenClaw network assistant.
You're now part of the OpenClaw network! Here's how to enhance your openclaw assistant and join the thriving community.
Now that you've started with the OpenClaw network, dive deeper into installation details, explore the ecosystem of 5,705 skills, and customize your openclaw assistant's personality with SOUL.md.