Setup Guides
Step-by-step: OpenClaw, Ollama, gateway, and first agent.
Answer a few questions on the home page to get setup suggestions tailored to your budget and goals.
1. Install OpenClaw
Node 22+ required. macOS / Linux:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Then run the onboarding wizard (auth, gateway, optional channels):
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
2. (Optional) Install Ollama for local models
On your BRAIN or solo Mac:
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh ollama pull llama3.1:8b # or qwen2.5:14b for better reasoning
Then point OpenClaw at Ollama:
openclaw config set agent.model ollama/llama3.1:8b openclaw config set agent.baseUrl http://localhost:11434
3. Check the Gateway
openclaw gateway status
If you installed the daemon, it should already be running.
4. Open the Control UI
openclaw dashboard
Open http://127.0.0.1:18789/ in your browser to chat and manage.
Multi-machine (BRAIN + nodes)
On the BRAIN, bind the gateway so other machines can connect:
openclaw config set gateway.bind lan openclaw gateway restart
On agent machines, configure the gateway URL to the BRAIN’s IP (or Tailscale hostname). Use Tailscale or VPN for remote access; see Architecture.
Full install options and details: docs.openclaw.ai/install · Getting Started