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Master OpenClaw with our step-by-step tutorial, detailed feature walkthrough, and expert tips.
Review the verified repository at https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw and the linked website/docs at https://openclaw.ai and https://docs.openclaw.ai. Install with npm, pnpm, or bun as documented, using Node 24 recommended or Node
19+ supported, then run openclaw onboard for guided setup. Before production use, review the security guide, gateway exposure runbook, sandboxing documentation, model
provider configuration, channel docs, and expected external costs.
💡 Quick Start: Follow these 3 steps in order to get up and running with OpenClaw quickly.
Explore the key features that make OpenClaw powerful for ai agent builders workflows.
The README verifies OpenClaw as a personal AI assistant users run on their own devices, with a Gateway control plane and local-first operating model.
Evaluate when a team wants local control instead of a managed hosted automation product.
The README lists broad channel support including WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, Signal, iMessage, IRC, Microsoft Teams, Matrix, Feishu, LINE, Mattermost, Nextcloud Talk, Nostr, Synology Chat, Tlon, Twitch, Zalo, WeChat, QQ, and WebChat.
Use when assistant access through existing messaging channels is a core requirement.
The repository verifies npm package metadata, CLI binary openclaw, Node version requirements, npm/pnpm/bun install options, and openclaw onboard as the recommended setup path.
Use for developer-led trials where command-line setup and local daemon operation are acceptable.
The README verifies default DM pairing, allowlist approval, doctor checks for risky DM policies, gateway exposure guidance, and sandboxing guidance for non-main sessions.
Review before exposing the gateway remotely or connecting sensitive messaging channels and tools.
The LICENSE file verifies MIT licensing with a 2026 OpenClaw Foundation copyright notice, and package.json identifies the repository and package license as MIT.
Confirm legal and procurement suitability for teams evaluating open-source agent infrastructure.
The GitHub releases page verifies v2026.6.6 on June 12, 2026, with release notes, npm package verification, registry tarball, integrity hash, release SHA, CI evidence, and publish workflow links.
Use recent release activity as a signal for continued maintenance, while still reviewing issue volume and production stability.
The software code is verified as MIT-licensed in the public GitHub repository, and the directory record lists pricing as Free with startingPrice set to $0. No official hosted SaaS plan, paid support plan, annual billing term, SLA, or enterprise price was verified. Users may still pay for model providers, infrastructure, devices, messaging services, and third-party APIs.
The directory URL must remain https://openclaw.com for this record, but verified product evidence comes from the public GitHub repository and its linked website at https://openclaw.ai. Those sources verify the repository, MIT license, npm package metadata, installation path, documentation links, supported channels, security guidance, and recent release activity.
OpenClaw is most relevant for developers, technical evaluators, and teams that want a self-hosted personal AI assistant or multi-channel agent gateway and are comfortable reviewing source code, configuring model providers, securing messaging access, and operating their own deployment.
OpenClaw is differentiated by its verified local-first personal assistant positioning, broad messaging-channel gateway, CLI onboarding, MIT license, and active npm/GitHub release train. A detailed feature-by-feature comparison still requires hands-on testing against the team's exact workflows, security requirements, and support expectations.
Teams should review the repository, license, docs, security guide, gateway exposure runbook, sandboxing settings, supported channel docs, model-provider configuration, release history, dependency posture, and operational costs before using OpenClaw in production.
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Tutorial updated March 2026