OpenClaw

OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot/Moltbot) is an open-source, autonomous AI agent that runs locally on a user’s computer or server, operating 24/7 to manage tasks and interact with applications. Unlike passive chatbots, it acts on behalf of the user to manage files, browse the web, send emails, and integrate with tools like Telegram, Slack, and GitHub, featuring long-term memory to maintain context across tasks.

Installation

The following command installs everything the application needs to run and perform all tasks:

In a terminal execute

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

The security disclaimer contains the following important message:

Run regularly
openclaw security audit –deep
openclaw security audit –fix
Learn more
– https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/security

Configure OpenClaw

Execute

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

I understand this is personal-by-default and shared/multi-user use requires lock-down. Continue?
● Yes

Setup mode
● QuickStart

Model/auth provider
● Skip for now

Filter models by provider
● lmstudio (1 model)

Select channel (QuickStart)
● Skip for now

Search provider
● Skip for now

Configure skills now?
● No

Enable hooks?
◻ Skip for now

Gateway service already installed
● Restart

How do you want to hatch your bot?
● Hatch in Terminal

Config file location

The OPenClaw config file on Ubuntu is at ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

Install the OpenClaw gateway

openclaw gateway install

Running OpenClaw

Terminal User Interface

openclaw gateway --port 18789
openclaw tui

Browser User Interface

In one terminal window start the OpenClaw gateway

OPENCLAW_DISABLE_BONJOUR=1 # To fix error in OpenClaw 2026.4.24 
openclaw gateway start --force

In another terminal start the dashboard UI

openclaw dashboard

This will open the default web browser at local URL http://127.0.0.1:18789/#token=…
A session token is automatically appended to the URL to provide access to the gateway.