OpenClaw FAQ

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent runtime and tooling ecosystem focused on running assistants across channels, gateway workflows, and skills. If you want a step-by-step start, go to the getting started guide or read the OpenClaw glossary entry.

At a high level, OpenClaw receives messages through a channel, routes them through the gateway, applies model or tool settings, and returns a response. The best follow-ups are advanced configuration for routing details and the gateway glossary term for the runtime layer.

Start with a local install, complete onboarding, choose a simple channel like Telegram, and verify one successful response. Use getting started first, then continue with the Telegram guide.

For Mac and Linux, follow the local install guide. For Windows, use the Windows install guide. For 24/7 uptime, continue with the Docker and VPS deployment guide.

The update flow depends on whether you run OpenClaw locally, on Windows, or inside Docker. We document the safest update steps in getting started and the long-running deployment path in the VPS setup guide.

First remove legacy global packages or older OpenClaw installs, then clean up config or data folders only if you no longer need them. See the uninstall section in getting started for the safe sequence.

Use the local startup flow in getting started for the first run. If you run Docker or a VPS service, use the deployment guide and the troubleshooting library for restart and runtime checks.

The most common causes are invalid API keys, blocked network access, container permissions, or channel session issues. Start with the troubleshooting guide, then check advanced configuration if the issue is routing or policy related.

OpenClaw can run assistants across channels, execute configured workflows, connect skills, manage gateway policies, and support long-running deployments. To see practical examples, browse real use cases and the skills leaderboard.

Skills are typically installed or synced from community or custom repositories, then exposed through your OpenClaw environment. See the skills section in advanced configuration, then continue with the skills hub and the glossary definition for skills.

Treat the gateway token as a high-sensitivity secret used to protect gateway access. Generate or set it in your runtime configuration, keep it out of committed files, and prefer localhost binding or reverse proxy auth. See advanced configuration and the gateway token glossary entry.

OpenClaw itself is documented here as an open ecosystem, but your actual cost depends on model providers, hosting, and channel choices. We avoid inventing pricing claims. For operational sizing, start with the VPS setup guide and compare model or infrastructure costs separately.

The safest starting point is the official OpenClaw GitHub repository. Use that for upstream project updates, then come back here for step-by-step setup, troubleshooting, and skills discovery via docs and the skills hub.

Community entry points can change over time, so we avoid hard-coding an invite here unless the upstream project keeps it stable. The best habit is to check the official GitHub repository or its README first, then use this site for docs, FAQ, and operational walkthroughs.