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Install OpenClaw Full Stack

OpenClaw OCR & Automation Core 15 0 0 Jun 06, 2026

OpenClaw · Minimal Setup

Ubuntu Node.js 22.16+ No Docker Fast Track

Focus: OpenClaw only · minimal setup · quick to run · no OCR · no extra automation. Follow step by step.

Official minimum requirements: Ubuntu + Node.js 22.16+ & npm
1
Update Ubuntu System
refresh packages

Update the package lists and upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2
Install Curl
required for NodeSource
sudo apt install -y curl
3
Install Node.js 22.x
meets OpenClaw requirement (22.16+)

Add the NodeSource repository and install Node.js 22 (includes npm).

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs
Verify installation: node -v should output v22.x.x or higher, and npm -v for npm version.
4
Check Node.js & npm
ensure version ≥ 22.16
node -v
npm -v

Minimum Node version: v22.16+ (from official OpenClaw documentation).

5
Install OpenClaw (global npm)
most minimal package

Install openclaw@latest globally via npm.

npm install -g openclaw@latest
This downloads the CLI and core dependencies (no OCR / extra automation).
6
Run Onboarding
initial setup & API key

This command guides you to configure the AI provider (choose OpenAI), enter your API key, and set up channels (you can skip channel integration for now).

openclaw onboard

Or, if you want to install the daemon so OpenClaw runs in the background:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon
Minimum setup: choose OpenAI as AI provider → enter API key → skip channel integration (leave default / skip).
7
Test & Health Check
ensure CLI is ready

Check the installed version and run the diagnostic tool.

openclaw --version
openclaw doctor
8
Run Gateway & Dashboard
access management UI

The gateway is the main OpenClaw service. Start it with:

openclaw gateway
Access dashboard via browser: http://127.0.0.1:18789
Open this URL after the gateway is running.
Folder structure: automatically created at ~/.openclaw/ (config, data, logs).
⚡
Super Minimal One-Liner
run everything in one session

For a super fast, all-in-one setup (update, curl, Node.js, OpenClaw, onboarding):

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y curl && curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash - && sudo apt install -y nodejs && npm install -g openclaw@latest && openclaw onboard

Official fastest installer (OpenClaw recommended): This script automatically installs Node.js, OpenClaw, and runs onboarding.

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
This script handles everything: Node.js installation, OpenClaw install, and onboarding automatically. Ideal for users who want to get running without manual steps.
🔍
Post-Setup Tips — Minimal Mode
No OCR & no extra automation
  • Make sure your OpenAI API key is valid for testing.
  • To run the gateway persistently, use openclaw gateway & or daemon mode.
  • Configuration folder: ~/.openclaw/, edit config.yaml if you need advanced tuning.
  • This setup intentionally skips OCR and extra automation — focus on core AI chat & gateway.
  • The command openclaw doctor displays environment status and API connectivity.
All set: OpenClaw runs as a minimal gateway on port 18789. For now, test using the web dashboard; later you can add channels (WhatsApp/Telegram) if needed.
OpenClaw minimal installation · only OpenClaw core · No Docker · No OCR · No extra automation.
Requirements: Ubuntu 20.04+ | Node.js 22.16+ | npm pre-installed. Following official OpenClaw recommendations.
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