About This Guide: OpenClaw offers four distinct installation methods — each with different tradeoffs in speed, control, and hackability. This Q&A covers every installation command in depth, from the one-liner curl script to the full Git source build, plus the openclaw onboard wizard and all common error fixes. Updated for OpenClaw's latest February 2026 release.
Installation Methods at a Glance
curl One-Liner
Fastest. Auto-installs Node.js + everything. Best for beginners.
npm Global Install
Simple. Requires Node.js pre-installed. Best for developers.
pnpm Install
Faster package manager alternative. Disk-efficient.
Git Hackable
Full source access. Modify core code. Best for power users.
Part 1: The curl One-Liner Install (Q1–Q8)
Q1 What does the curl install command actually do?
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
This single command does all of the following automatically:
- Downloads the official
install.shscript over HTTPS - Detects your OS (macOS, Linux, WSL2)
- Installs Node.js v18+ if not already present
- Installs npm/pnpm package manager
- Downloads and installs the OpenClaw package
- Adds
openclawto your system PATH - Prompts you to run
openclaw onboard
Flag breakdown: -f = fail silently on server errors, -s = silent mode (no progress bar), -S = show errors if silent, -L = follow redirects
Q2 Is it safe to pipe a curl command directly into bash?
This is a valid security concern. Here's how to verify before running:
# Step 1: Download and INSPECT the script first
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh -o install.sh
cat install.sh # Read through it
# Step 2: Run ONLY if you're satisfied
bash install.sh
OpenClaw's install script is open-source and auditable on GitHub at github.com/openclaw/openclaw. The script does not collect telemetry during installation.
Q3 What is the Hackable install flag and when should I use it?
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --install-method git
The --install-method git flag tells the script to clone the full source repository instead of installing the compiled package. Use this when you want to:
✅ Modify core behavior
Edit source files directly, add custom features to the base agent
✅ Use bleeding-edge code
Run unreleased commits from the main branch
✅ Contribute to OpenClaw
Test your PR changes locally before submitting
✅ Self-host on private server
Full control for corporate or enterprise deployments
Q4 The curl command hangs or times out — how do I fix it?
A hang or timeout during download almost always indicates a network issue — either the openclaw.ai domain is blocked or your connection is throttled. Solutions in order of effectiveness:
🔴 Root Cause: Network blocking / throttling
Many corporate networks and some ISPs block script download domains.
✅ Fix 1: Use a VPN (most effective)
Connect via VPN07 before running. The 1000Mbps bandwidth ensures the script downloads in under 1 second.
✅ Fix 2: Add timeout flag
✅ Fix 3: Use npm install instead (bypasses curl entirely)
Q5 Does the curl installer work on all operating systems?
macOS
✅ Full native support (macOS 12+)
Linux
✅ Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora
Windows
⚠️ WSL2 only (not native CMD/PowerShell)
Windows users: First install WSL2 via wsl --install in PowerShell (as Administrator), then run the curl command inside WSL2.
Q6 I got "permission denied" running the curl command — what do I do?
This usually means the installer is trying to write to a system directory without root privileges. Three options:
# Option A: Run with sudo (Linux/macOS)
sudo curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | sudo bash
# Option B: Install to user directory (no sudo needed)
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --prefix ~/.local
# Option C: Use npm with --global (usually needs no sudo on macOS)
npm i -g openclaw
Q7 How do I verify curl is installed on my system?
curl --version
# Output example: curl 8.4.0 (x86_64-apple-darwin23.0)
If curl is missing:
# macOS (via Homebrew)
brew install curl
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install curl -y
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install curl -y
Q8 How long does the curl installation take?
With VPN07's 1000Mbps connection, even first-time Node.js installation completes in under 90 seconds.
Part 2: npm & pnpm Install Commands (Q9–Q17)
Q9 What Node.js version does OpenClaw require?
node --version # Must output v18.0.0 or higher
npm --version # Must output 9.0.0 or higher
OpenClaw requires Node.js v18 LTS or higher. The recommended version in 2026 is Node.js v22 LTS. If you're on an older version:
# Install nvm (Node Version Manager) first
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash
# Then install and use Node.js 22
nvm install 22
nvm use 22
Q10 What exactly does "npm i -g openclaw" install?
npm i -g openclaw
# Equivalent to: npm install --global openclaw
This command installs OpenClaw globally on your system, making the openclaw command available from any directory. It downloads:
- The OpenClaw CLI binary
- All required runtime dependencies
- Default configuration templates
- Built-in skill scaffolding tools
Q11 npm install fails with ECONNRESET or ETIMEDOUT — how to fix?
❌ Common error messages:
npm ERR! code ECONNRESET
npm ERR! code ETIMEDOUT
npm ERR! network request failed
These errors occur when npm cannot reach the npm registry. Solutions:
✅ Solution 1: Use VPN07 (recommended)
Connect to VPN07's nearest server node. Our 1000Mbps bandwidth resolves virtually all registry connection issues instantly.
✅ Solution 2: Set npm registry mirror
✅ Solution 3: Increase network timeout
Q12 What is the difference between npm and pnpm for installing OpenClaw?
npm
- ✅ Comes pre-installed with Node.js
- ✅ Largest community documentation
- ⚠️ Slower install speed
- ⚠️ Uses more disk space (flat node_modules)
pnpm
- ✅ 2-3x faster installs
- ✅ Shared dependency store (saves disk)
- ✅ OpenClaw's own toolchain uses pnpm
- ⚠️ Requires separate installation
Verdict: Use pnpm for faster install speeds, especially on slow connections. The OpenClaw team uses pnpm internally.
Q13 How do I install pnpm itself?
# Method 1: via npm (once you have Node.js)
npm install -g pnpm
# Method 2: via curl (standalone installer)
curl -fsSL https://get.pnpm.io/install.sh | sh -
# Method 3: via Homebrew (macOS)
brew install pnpm
# Verify installation
pnpm --version
Q14 How do I verify OpenClaw was installed correctly after npm/pnpm?
# Check if openclaw binary is available
which openclaw
# Expected: /usr/local/bin/openclaw or ~/.local/bin/openclaw
# Check version
openclaw --version
# Expected: openclaw/x.x.x linux-x64 node-v22.x.x
# List available commands
openclaw --help
Tip: If openclaw command is not found after installation, try restarting your terminal or running source ~/.bashrc (Linux) / source ~/.zshrc (macOS) to reload PATH.
Q15 How do I upgrade OpenClaw to the latest version via npm?
# Check current version
openclaw --version
# Upgrade via npm
npm update -g openclaw
# Or force reinstall the latest version
npm i -g openclaw@latest
# Upgrade via pnpm
pnpm update -g openclaw
Q16 How do I completely uninstall OpenClaw?
# Uninstall the package
npm uninstall -g openclaw
# or
pnpm remove -g openclaw
# Remove config and data files (optional)
rm -rf ~/.openclaw
rm -rf ~/.config/openclaw
Warning: Removing ~/.openclaw deletes your agent's memory, skills, and configuration permanently. Back up this directory first if you plan to reinstall later.
Q17 Can I install OpenClaw without internet access (offline)?
Yes, with preparation. On a connected machine, pack the module:
# On internet-connected machine: pack the tarball
npm pack openclaw
# Creates openclaw-x.x.x.tgz
# Transfer the .tgz to offline machine, then install:
npm install -g openclaw-x.x.x.tgz
Part 3: Git Clone & Source Build (Q18–Q24)
Q18 What is the complete git clone build process?
# Step 1: Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
# Step 2: Enter project directory
cd openclaw
# Step 3: Install all dependencies (pnpm recommended)
pnpm install
# Step 4: Build the project
pnpm run build
# Step 5: Run the onboarding wizard
pnpm run openclaw onboard
# Alternatively, link globally to use "openclaw" command
pnpm link --global
openclaw onboard
Q19 What does "pnpm install" do inside the openclaw directory?
Inside the cloned repository, pnpm install reads the package.json and pnpm-lock.yaml files, then downloads all development and runtime dependencies to the local node_modules/ folder. This includes TypeScript, build tools, and all runtime libraries needed to compile and run OpenClaw from source.
Q20 What does "pnpm run build" compile?
OpenClaw is written in TypeScript. The build step:
- Compiles TypeScript files to JavaScript (via
tsc) - Bundles the CLI entry point
- Copies static assets (default skills templates, config files)
- Outputs to the
dist/directory
Build time: typically 20–45 seconds on modern hardware.
Q21 "pnpm install" fails with ECONNRESET or "registry unreachable" — solution?
This happens when pnpm cannot reach registry.npmjs.org or GitHub during dependency download.
✅ Best fix: Connect VPN07 first
VPN07's 70+ global servers include nodes close to npm's registry CDN. With 1000Mbps bandwidth, pnpm dependencies download without interruption.
✅ Alternative: Use pnpm store cache
Q22 How do I clone a specific OpenClaw version tag?
# List available tags
git ls-remote --tags https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
# Clone specific version
git clone --branch v1.2.3 https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
# Or checkout after cloning
git checkout tags/v1.2.3
Q23 How do I update a git-cloned OpenClaw installation?
# Enter the openclaw directory
cd openclaw
# Pull latest changes from main branch
git pull origin main
# Update dependencies (new ones may have been added)
pnpm install
# Rebuild after updates
pnpm run build
# Restart your agent
pnpm run openclaw start
Q24 Git clone fails with "SSL certificate problem" — fix?
# Temporary fix (development only, not production):
GIT_SSL_NO_VERIFY=1 git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
# Proper fix: update your system's CA certificates
sudo apt update && sudo apt install ca-certificates -y # Ubuntu
brew install openssl && brew link openssl # macOS
SSL errors often indicate an outdated system or a network proxy intercepting connections. Using VPN07 bypasses most proxy-related SSL issues entirely.
Part 4: The openclaw onboard Command (Q25–Q34)
Q25 What does "openclaw onboard" actually do step by step?
The openclaw onboard command launches an interactive setup wizard. Here's each step:
Agent Naming
Prompts you to give your agent a name (e.g., "Jarvis", "Nova"). This sets the persona.
AI Provider Selection
Choose: Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), Google (Gemini), or local model.
API Key Entry
Securely input your AI provider API key. Stored locally in encrypted format.
Messaging Platform Connection
Select and configure your first chat channel (Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, etc.).
Initial Memory Setup
Provides a brief description of yourself for your agent's context.
Agent Launch
Starts the agent process and sends a test message to your chosen platform.
Q26 Can I skip the onboard wizard and configure manually?
Yes. You can bypass the wizard by creating the config files manually:
# Create config directory
mkdir -p ~/.openclaw
# Create .env file manually
cat > ~/.openclaw/.env << EOF
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key-here
AI_PROVIDER=anthropic
AGENT_NAME=Jarvis
TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN=your-bot-token
EOF
# Start directly
openclaw start
Q27 The onboard wizard freezes after entering my API key — why?
The wizard validates your API key by making a test call to the AI provider's endpoint. A freeze means the connection to that endpoint is failing. Most common causes:
❌ Invalid API key
Double-check for typos. Claude keys start with sk-ant-, OpenAI with sk-
❌ Network blocked
api.anthropic.com or api.openai.com is unreachable. Use VPN07 to connect.
❌ Quota exceeded
Your API account has run out of credits. Check your billing on the provider's dashboard.
❌ Firewall blocking
Corporate firewall may block AI API endpoints. VPN07 tunnels around this.
Q28 How do I re-run onboard to change my AI provider or API key?
# Re-run the onboarding wizard
openclaw onboard
# Or edit the config directly (faster)
nano ~/.openclaw/.env
# Change ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or AI_PROVIDER line
# Then restart the agent
openclaw restart
Q29 Where does openclaw onboard store the configuration files?
macOS / Linux
~/.openclaw/
Windows (WSL2)
~/.openclaw/
Git install
./openclaw/
~/.openclaw/
├── .env # API keys and config
├── memory.json # Agent long-term memory
├── skills/ # Installed skills
├── logs/ # Runtime logs
└── config.json # Advanced settings
Q30 openclaw: command not found after running onboard — how to fix?
# Check if openclaw is in any PATH directory
echo $PATH
ls ~/.local/bin/openclaw # Common install location
ls /usr/local/bin/openclaw
# If found but not in PATH, add to shell config:
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
# For zsh (macOS default):
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc
Q31 Can I run openclaw onboard non-interactively with environment variables?
Yes — useful for automated deployments (Docker, CI/CD, server scripts):
# Pre-set all required env vars, then onboard skips prompts
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-xxxxx"
export AGENT_NAME="Jarvis"
export TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN="1234567890:ABCdef"
openclaw onboard --non-interactive
# Or pass inline:
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-x" openclaw onboard --non-interactive
Q32 After onboard, how do I start and stop the agent?
# Start the agent (foreground)
openclaw start
# Start as background daemon
openclaw start --daemon
# Stop the running agent
openclaw stop
# Restart (stop + start)
openclaw restart
# Check running status
openclaw status
Q33 How do I view the agent's runtime logs?
# View live logs (tail -f style)
openclaw logs
# or
openclaw logs --follow
# View last 100 lines
openclaw logs --lines 100
# Filter by log level
openclaw logs --level error
# Direct file access
tail -f ~/.openclaw/logs/agent.log
Q34 What is the openclaw --help command output?
openclaw --help
Usage: openclaw [command] [options]
Commands:
onboard Interactive setup wizard
start Start the agent process
stop Stop the running agent
restart Restart the agent
status Show agent status
logs View agent logs
install Install a skill from ClawHub
skills Manage installed skills
update Update OpenClaw to latest version
config View/edit configuration
Options:
-v, --version Output version number
-h, --help Show help
--debug Enable debug logging
Why Every OpenClaw Install Needs a VPN in 2026
The most common cause of OpenClaw installation failures is not a software bug — it's network access. All four installation methods rely on reaching external servers:
curl method needs:
→ openclaw.ai (download script)
npm/pnpm needs:
→ registry.npmjs.org
git clone needs:
→ github.com
onboard validation needs:
→ api.anthropic.com / api.openai.com
If any of these are blocked by your ISP, firewall, or regional restrictions, your installation will fail. VPN07 solves all of these at once with a single connection switch.
VPN07 — Best VPN for OpenClaw Developers
10 years of operational stability makes VPN07 the go-to choice for AI developers who need reliable connections during lengthy install and build processes.
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Read More →Stop Fighting Install Errors — Use VPN07
90% of OpenClaw installation failures are network issues. VPN07's 1000Mbps bandwidth across 70+ countries ensures your curl, npm, and git commands complete on the first try. Trusted by developers for 10 years. Only $1.5/month.