Installing OpenClaw on macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide will walk you through installing OpenClaw on your Mac, from checking prerequisites to starting your first conversation with the AI assistant.

Prerequisites

Before installing OpenClaw, ensure your Mac meets these requirements:

• macOS: Monterey (12.0) or later[1]
• Architecture: Intel-based Mac or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) — both supported
• Node.js: Version 22.0.0 or higher
• Memory: At least 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended)
• Disk Space: 500MB free space

Step 1: Install or Update Node.js

OpenClaw requires Node.js 22 or newer. First, check your current version:

If you see version 22.0.0 or higher, you can skip to Step 2. Otherwise, install the latest version:

Option A: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

Option B: Using nvm (Node Version Manager)

Option C: Official Installer

Download from nodejs.org and run the installer.

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

Once Node.js is ready, you have three installation options:

Option A: Quick Install (One-Line Script)

This is the fastest method — just run this command in Terminal:

Option B: Using npm

If you prefer using npm directly:

This installs OpenClaw globally on your system. Verify the installation:

You should see the path to the OpenClaw executable.

Step 3: Run the Onboarding Wizard

Start the interactive setup:

The wizard will guide you through:

1. API Key Setup — Configure your preferred LLM provider (Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, etc.)
2. Platform Connection — Connect messaging platforms like Telegram, Discord, etc.
3. Skill Installation — Choose basic skills to install
4. Daemon Setup — Configure OpenClaw to run in the background

Step 4: Install and Start the Daemon

The daemon allows OpenClaw to run continuously in the background. Install it with:

Once installed, you can control the daemon:

Step 5: Start Your First Chat

Launch the OpenClaw chat interface:

Try sending your first message:

Configuration File Location

OpenClaw stores its configuration in:

You can manually edit settings in the config.json file if needed.

Troubleshooting

Permission Denied Errors

If you see permission errors during installation:

"Command Not Found: openclaw"

If the terminal can't find the openclaw command:

1. Verify installation: npm list -g | grep openclaw
2. Check your PATH: echo $PATH
3. Try restarting your terminal
4. Reinstall using the full path: ./node_modules/.bin/openclaw

Apple Silicon Specific Notes

For M1/M2/M3 Macs, ensure you're using the ARM64 version of Node.js:

If using Rosetta (shows "x86_64"), reinstall Node.js natively for better performance.

What's Next?

Now that OpenClaw is installed, explore these resources:

• Complete Guide to OpenClaw — Learn all features
• Official Documentation — Detailed reference
• GitHub Repository — Report issues & contribute

References

1. OpenClaw Documentation - Getting Started Guide - Accessed February 2026
2. OpenClaw Installation Scripts - https://openclaw.ai - Accessed February 2026
3. npm Package Registry - openclaw package - Accessed February 2026