Install OpenClaw: 5 Methods for macOS, Linux & Windows (2026)

Updated August 20, 2026

📑Table of Contents

System Requirements (2026)
Installing on macOS / Linux (Recommended)
Installing on Windows
Docker Installation
VPS Deployment
Post-Installation Setup
Updating OpenClaw
FAQ — Installing OpenClaw
Conclusion
Related articles

The current OpenClaw installer documentation supports Node.js 22.22.3+, 24.15+, or 25.9+. Fresh macOS/Linux installs may provision Node 26. Windows also has an official PowerShell installer (`install.ps1`), so choose the path that matches your OS and release. Use the official installer documentation as the source of truth.

With over 310,000 GitHub stars, OpenClaw is one of the most popular open-source AI assistants. Installing it on Mac or Linux takes just a single command.

This guide covers installation steps for macOS, Linux, and Windows, plus Docker and VPS deployment options. For security reasons, we strongly recommend running OpenClaw in a dedicated environment rather than on your everyday machine.

System Requirements (2026)

Requirement	Details
Node.js	Node 24 (recommended), Node 23.11+, or Node 22.19+ (LTS)
Package Manager	npm / pnpm / bun (any)
Supported OS	macOS / Linux / Windows (via WSL2)

Platform Compatibility

OS	Support	Rating	Notes
macOS	Full	★★★ Best	Native app, TCC permissions, Voice Wake
Linux	Full	★★★ Recommended	Ideal for Docker/K8s isolated deployments
Windows	Native (公式PowerShellインストーラー) / WSL2 also supported	★★☆ Supported	公式PowerShellインストーラー (no-admin native app) added in 2026, making setup much easier

Installing on macOS / Linux (Recommended)

Method 1: Installer Script (Easiest)

🏆 Recommended — One command, fully automated

The installer handles Node.js detection, installation, and onboarding setup in a single step.

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

The interactive onboarding wizard starts automatically, guiding you through Gateway, workspace, channel, and skill configuration. The daemon is registered via launchd on macOS or systemd on Linux.

Method 2: Install via npm / pnpm / bun

If you already have Node.js installed, you can use your preferred package manager.

npm:

npm install -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

pnpm:

pnpm add -g openclaw@latest
pnpm approve-builds -g
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

bun:

bun add -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

⚠️ Sharp Build Errors

If you encounter Sharp build errors due to a system-installed libvips, set this environment variable:

SHARP_IGNORE_GLOBAL_LIBVIPS=1 npm install -g openclaw@latest

Method 3: Build from Source (For Developers)

For customization or contributing to the project, build from source.

git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
pnpm install
pnpm ui:build
pnpm build
pnpm link --global

After building, pnpm link --global makes the openclaw command available system-wide.

Installing on Windows

🆕 2026 update — native support arrives

OpenClaw used to require WSL2 since it didn’t run natively on Windows. In 2026, the team shipped 公式PowerShellインストーラー, an official native WinUI app that installs without administrator privileges. You now have three installation options depending on your workflow.

Option A: 公式PowerShellインストーラー (recommended, GUI)

A native app for Windows 10 20H2+ and Windows 11. Download the signed x64 or ARM64 installer from the OpenClaw GitHub releases page. It includes a system tray icon, a native chat window, and Command Center diagnostics, and it automatically provisions its own WSL Gateway on first launch (your existing Ubuntu distro, if any, is left untouched).

Option B: PowerShell CLI installer (for terminal-first users)

iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Verify the install with:

openclaw --version
openclaw doctor
openclaw gateway status --json

Option C: WSL2 Gateway (best Linux compatibility, server use cases)

If you need the most Linux-compatible runtime, or want to run OpenClaw as a headless always-on service, WSL2 is still a solid option. The security boundary between WSL2 and the host Windows system is somewhat ambiguous, so if security isolation matters most, also consider a dedicated VPS or Docker deployment.

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

Docker Installation

🛡️ Security-First — Isolated container deployment

Docker provides complete isolation from the host OS, making it a recommended choice for security-conscious deployments. See our OpenClaw security guide for detailed configuration.

Official Docker docs: docs.openclaw.ai/install/docker
Podman (rootless containers) is also supported
Kubernetes deployment is available for production environments

VPS Deployment

🌐 Recommended — Fully separated from your PC

A VPS (Virtual Private Server) provides a completely separate environment from your personal computer. With 24/7 uptime, it’s ideal for running the OpenClaw Gateway around the clock.

The official docs recommend using a clean Ubuntu LTS installation with the installer script, rather than third-party marketplace images
Installation is the same as Linux: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Affordable plans start from just a few dollars per month

Post-Installation Setup

Verify Your Installation

After installation, verify everything is configured correctly with these commands:

# Detect configuration issues
openclaw doctor

# Check Gateway status
openclaw gateway status

# Launch the browser interface
openclaw dashboard

Basic Usage

# Start the Gateway
openclaw gateway --port 18789 --verbose

# Chat with the agent
openclaw agent --message "Hello" --thinking high

# Send a message
openclaw message send --to +1234567890 --message "Hello from OpenClaw"

Environment Variables (Optional)

Customize paths using environment variables as needed.

Variable	Purpose
`OPENCLAW_HOME`	Internal directory paths
`OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR`	Mutable state storage location
`OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH`	Configuration file location

Updating OpenClaw

# Update to stable release
openclaw update --channel stable

# Switch to beta
openclaw update --channel beta

# Switch to dev
openclaw update --channel dev

OpenClaw releases security patches frequently. Regular updates are strongly recommended to stay protected.

FAQ — Installing OpenClaw

What version of Node.js do I need?

Node.js 24 (recommended), Node.js 23.11+, or Node.js 22.19+ is required (the minimum supported versions were raised in 2026). Node 20 and below cause widespread dependency errors — upgrading to Node 24 resolves most issues.

I get a Sharp / libvips build error

This is common on macOS when Homebrew’s libvips is installed. Fix it with: SHARP_IGNORE_GLOBAL_LIBVIPS=1 npm install -g openclaw@latest

I get "openclaw: command not found" after installation

Your npm global bin directory isn’t in your PATH. Run npm prefix -g to check the location, then add the /bin subdirectory to your PATH in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc.

Should I use npm, pnpm, or bun?

npm is the most stable choice for global installation. pnpm is better for building from source or development. bun works but has a known issue where Control UI assets may not be found due to symlink resolution problems.

npm install fails inside WSL2

Never install from /mnt/c/ (the Windows filesystem mounted in WSL). Always work from the native Linux filesystem (e.g., ~/projects/). Mixing Windows paths with WSL accounts for about 40% of WSL npm errors.

Docker or native install — which is better?

For personal use on macOS/Linux, go native — it’s faster and simpler. Use Docker when you need isolation, security sandboxing, or VPS deployment. Docker on macOS has VM layer overhead, so native is better for local use.

What VPS specs do I need?

Minimum 2 GB RAM, 2 vCPU, and 20 GB storage. 4 GB RAM is recommended if you plan to run multiple agents or plugins simultaneously.

Conclusion

One command on macOS / Linux — that’s all it takes

For security, run OpenClaw in a dedicated environment (dedicated Mac, VPS, or Docker).
On Windows, you can now install natively via 公式PowerShellインストーラー (added in 2026) or through WSL2.
After installation, run openclaw doctor to verify your setup.

For detailed security configuration, check out our companion guide:

👉 Is OpenClaw Dangerous? A Complete Guide to Safe Setup and Operation

Official documentation: https://docs.openclaw.ai/install

Author

krona23

Over 20 years in the IT industry, serving as Division Head and CTO at multiple companies running large-scale web services in Japan. Experienced across Windows, iOS, Android, and web development. Currently focused on AI-native transformation. At DevGENT, sharing practical guides on AI code editors, automation tools, and LLMs in three languages.

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