Install overview

Installer Internals

OpenClaw ships three installer scripts, served from openclaw.ai.

ScriptPlatformWhat it does
install.shmacOS / Linux / WSLInstalls Node if needed, installs OpenClaw via npm (default) or git, and can run onboarding.
install-cli.shmacOS / Linux / WSLInstalls Node + OpenClaw into a local prefix (~/.openclaw). No root required.
install.ps1Windows (PowerShell)Installs Node if needed, installs OpenClaw via npm (default) or git, and can run onboarding.

Quick commands

curl -fsSL --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

ℹ️ If install succeeds but openclaw is not found in a new terminal, see Node.js troubleshooting.

install.sh

💡 Recommended for most interactive installs on macOS/Linux/WSL.

Flow (install.sh)

Step 1: Detect OS

Supports macOS and Linux (including WSL). If macOS is detected, installs Homebrew if missing.

Step 2: Ensure Node.js 22+

Checks Node version and installs Node 22 if needed (Homebrew on macOS, NodeSource setup scripts on Linux apt/dnf/yum).

Step 3: Ensure Git

Installs Git if missing.

Step 4: Install OpenClaw

  • npm method (default): global npm install
  • git method: clone/update repo, install deps with pnpm, build, then install wrapper at ~/.local/bin/openclaw

Step 5: Post-install tasks

  • Runs openclaw doctor --non-interactive on upgrades and git installs (best effort)
  • Attempts onboarding when appropriate (TTY available, onboarding not disabled, and bootstrap/config checks pass)
  • Defaults SHARP_IGNORE_GLOBAL_LIBVIPS=1

Source checkout detection

If run inside an OpenClaw checkout (package.json + pnpm-workspace.yaml), the script offers:

  • use checkout (git), or
  • use global install (npm)

If no TTY is available and no install method is set, it defaults to npm and warns. The script exits with code 2 for invalid method selection or invalid --install-method values.

Examples (install.sh)

curl -fsSL --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

install-cli.sh

ℹ️ Designed for environments where you want everything under a local prefix (default ~/.openclaw) and no system Node dependency.

Flow (install-cli.sh)

Step 1: Install local Node runtime

Downloads Node tarball (default 22.22.0) to <prefix>/tools/node-v<version> and verifies SHA-256.

Step 2: Ensure Git

If Git is missing, attempts install via apt/dnf/yum on Linux or Homebrew on macOS.

Step 3: Install OpenClaw under prefix

Installs with npm using --prefix <prefix>, then writes wrapper to <prefix>/bin/openclaw.

Examples (install-cli.sh)

curl -fsSL --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 https://openclaw.ai/install-cli.sh | bash

install.ps1

Flow (install.ps1)

Step 1: Ensure PowerShell + Windows environment

Requires PowerShell 5+.

Step 2: Ensure Node.js 22+

If missing, attempts install via winget, then Chocolatey, then Scoop.

Step 3: Install OpenClaw

  • npm method (default): global npm install using selected -Tag
  • git method: clone/update repo, install/build with pnpm, and install wrapper at %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin\openclaw.cmd

Step 4: Post-install tasks

Adds needed bin directory to user PATH when possible, then runs openclaw doctor --non-interactive on upgrades and git installs (best effort).

Examples (install.ps1)

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

ℹ️ If -InstallMethod git is used and Git is missing, the script exits and prints the Git for Windows link.

CI and automation

Use non-interactive flags/env vars for predictable runs.

curl -fsSL --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --no-prompt --no-onboard

Troubleshooting

InstallDocker