How to Install OpenClaw in 2026: Complete Beginner Guide

How to install OpenClaw in 2026 is one of the most searched queries in the AI agent space, and for good reason — OpenClaw has grown from a niche developer tool to the world's most popular self-hosted AI agent framework, now with over 361,000 GitHub stars. If you're ready to install it yourself, this guide walks through every step on the three major operating systems.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you need:

• Python 3.11 or higher (Python 3.12 recommended for 2026)
• 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended for local LLM models)
• 10GB free disk space (more if using local LLM models)
• An LLM API key (Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, or any supported provider)
• Git installed on your system

Installing OpenClaw on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Open a terminal and run:

# Update package list
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install Python 3.12 and pip
sudo apt install python3.12 python3.12-venv python3-pip git -y

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

# Create a virtual environment
python3.12 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

# Install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Run the onboarding wizard
python -m openclaw onboard

Installing OpenClaw on macOS

# Install Homebrew if not already installed
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install Python 3.12
brew install python@3.12 git

# Clone and install
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
python3.12 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
python -m openclaw onboard

Installing OpenClaw on Windows (WSL2)

On Windows, OpenClaw runs best inside WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Enable WSL2 from PowerShell (run as Administrator):

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

After Ubuntu installs and restarts, follow the Linux installation steps above inside the Ubuntu terminal.

Running the Onboarding Wizard

The openclaw onboard command launches an interactive wizard that guides you through:

1. Selecting your LLM provider and entering your API key
2. Choosing which channels to connect (Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp)
3. Installing your first skills from ClawHub
4. Testing your agent with a sample conversation

After completing the wizard, start your agent:

python -m openclaw start

Keeping OpenClaw Running 24/7

A local installation only runs while your computer is on. For always-on operation, consider nacre.sh's managed hosting, or configure a systemd service on a VPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Python version does OpenClaw 2026 require?

OpenClaw requires Python 3.11 or higher. Python 3.12 is recommended for best performance and compatibility with the latest skill packages.

Can I install OpenClaw without Docker?

Yes. While a Docker installation path exists, the standard installation uses a Python virtual environment directly. The Docker path is useful for production deployments.

Where does OpenClaw store its data?

By default, OpenClaw stores all data in ~/.openclaw/ — including your agent's memory, configuration, and installed skills. Back this directory up regularly.