How to Install OpenClaw: Complete Setup Guide 2026

February 7, 2026 · 12 min read

OpenClaw is the open-source AI assistant everyone's talking about. It runs locally on your machine, connects to your messaging apps, and handles everything from email management to browser automation — all while keeping your data private.

The best way to install and manage OpenClaw is with Beam — a terminal organizer for macOS. With Beam, you can run your OpenClaw Gateway, Agent, and logs in organized workspaces, save your setup as a layout, and switch between sessions with keyboard shortcuts.

This guide walks you through the complete setup: install Beam first, then install OpenClaw inside Beam's terminal.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an open-source personal AI assistant that runs entirely on your device. Unlike cloud-based assistants, OpenClaw keeps your data local by default — your conversations, files, and personal information never leave your machine unless you explicitly allow it.

Originally known as Clawdbot (and briefly Moltbot), OpenClaw exploded in popularity in early 2026 for its ability to:

The key differentiator is privacy. OpenClaw's Gateway runs locally on port 18789, and all AI processing can be configured to use local models or privacy-respecting APIs.

System Requirements for OpenClaw

Before you install OpenClaw, make sure your system meets these requirements:

Setting Up Beam for OpenClaw

First, let's set up Beam — this is where you'll run all your OpenClaw commands.

1. Download Beam from getbeam.dev and drag it to your Applications folder
2. Open Beam — you'll see your first terminal workspace
3. Create a workspace (⌘N) and rename it "OpenClaw" (⌘I)
4. Create tabs (⌘T) for: Gateway, Agent, and Logs

Your Beam workspace should look like this:

Save this layout with ⌘S so you can restore it anytime with ⌘⇧L.

Installing OpenClaw in Beam

Now let's install OpenClaw. In your Beam terminal (the "Gateway" tab), first check your Node.js version:

node --version

If you see v22.0.0 or higher, you're good. If not, install the latest Node.js:

# Install nvm (if you don't have it)
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash

# Install and use Node 22
nvm install 22
nvm use 22

Now install OpenClaw. There are three methods — choose one:

Method 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

There are three ways to install OpenClaw. Choose the one that fits your needs:

Method 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

The fastest way to get started. Run this one-liner in your terminal:

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

This script automatically detects your OS, installs dependencies, and sets up OpenClaw.

Method 2: npm Install

If you prefer using npm directly:

# Install OpenClaw globally
npm install -g openclaw@latest

# Or use pnpm
pnpm add -g openclaw@latest

# Or use bun
bun add -g openclaw@latest

Method 3: Install from Source (For Developers)

Want to hack on OpenClaw or contribute? Clone the repo:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw

# Install dependencies
pnpm install

# Build the UI and core
pnpm ui:build
pnpm build

# Run onboarding
pnpm openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Running the OpenClaw Onboarding Wizard

After installation, run the onboarding wizard to configure OpenClaw:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

This wizard will:

1. Install the Gateway daemon — A background service that handles all OpenClaw communications
2. Configure your AI provider — Connect to Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, or local models
3. Set up security defaults — Configure sandboxing and permissions
4. Create your first profile — Personalize OpenClaw with your preferences

Select QuickStart when prompted to use sensible defaults, or choose Custom for full control over every setting.

Verify the Installation

After onboarding, verify OpenClaw is running:

# Check the Gateway status
openclaw gateway --status

# Or start it manually with verbose output
openclaw gateway --port 18789 --verbose

You should see the Gateway running on ws://127.0.0.1:18789.

Connecting Messaging Apps to OpenClaw

One of OpenClaw's killer features is accessing your AI assistant through apps you already use. Here's how to connect the most popular ones:

WhatsApp

openclaw connect whatsapp

A QR code will appear. Scan it with WhatsApp on your phone (Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device).

Telegram

openclaw connect telegram

You'll need to create a bot via @BotFather and enter the token when prompted.

Discord

openclaw connect discord

Create a Discord application at the Discord Developer Portal, add a bot, and enter the token.

Slack

openclaw connect slack

Follow the OAuth flow to authorize OpenClaw for your workspace.

iMessage (macOS only)

openclaw connect imessage

Requires Full Disk Access permission in System Settings → Privacy & Security.

Your First OpenClaw Chat

Now let's talk to your AI assistant! Switch to your "Agent" tab in Beam and try these commands:

Via Beam Terminal

# Quick message
openclaw agent --message "What's on my calendar today?"

# Interactive chat with extended thinking
openclaw agent --message "Help me plan my week" --thinking high

Via Messaging App

Simply send a message to your connected app. For WhatsApp, message yourself or the linked number. For Telegram, message your bot.

Example Commands to Try

Troubleshooting Common OpenClaw Issues

"Command not found: openclaw"

Your PATH might not include npm global binaries. Add this to your shell config:

# For zsh (~/.zshrc)
export PATH="$PATH:$(npm config get prefix)/bin"

# Then reload
source ~/.zshrc

"Gateway failed to start"

Port 18789 might be in use. Check with:

lsof -i :18789

Kill the process or use a different port:

openclaw gateway --port 18790

"WhatsApp connection dropped"

WhatsApp Web sessions expire. Re-run:

openclaw connect whatsapp --force

"Permission denied" errors on macOS

OpenClaw needs permissions for certain features. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and grant:

• Full Disk Access — For iMessage and file operations
• Accessibility — For browser control
• Automation — For app integrations

Conclusion

You now have OpenClaw installed and running inside Beam. Here's a quick recap:

1. Download Beam from getbeam.dev
2. Set up your OpenClaw workspace with workspaces for Gateway, Agent, and Logs
3. Install OpenClaw with npm install -g openclaw@latest
4. Run onboarding with openclaw onboard --install-daemon
5. Connect your messaging apps and start chatting
6. Save your layout with ⌘S to restore anytime

Using Beam with OpenClaw gives you the best experience: organized terminals, saved layouts, keyboard shortcuts, and Quick Switcher (⌘P) to jump between sessions instantly.

Welcome to the future of personal AI assistants — running locally, respecting your privacy, and organized beautifully in Beam.

Sources: OpenClaw Official Site · OpenClaw GitHub · DigitalOcean Guide