A complete walkthrough of OpenClaw installation and configuration, covering Telegram/Discord integration, skill extensions, and common troubleshooting.
OpenClaw (formerly known as Clawdbot) is an open-source project that lets you run a private AI assistant on your own computer. It integrates with WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, and other major messaging platforms, supports executing local commands, remembers user preferences, and keeps all data local—nothing goes through third-party servers.
After spending some time getting it set up, I've compiled the complete installation and configuration process into this guide to help you avoid common pitfalls.
Before getting started, make sure you have the following:
Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux—all three platforms work.
OpenClaw is built with JavaScript, so you need the Node.js runtime.
Check if already installed:
node --version
If you see something like v22.1.0, you're good. If you get "command not found" or a version below 22, you'll need to install it first.
OpenClaw doesn't include an AI model—it connects to third-party AI services. Currently supported:
Open Terminal (macOS/Linux) or PowerShell (Windows) and run the installation command:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
Verify the installation afterward:
openclaw --version
Overall, the OpenClaw installation process isn't particularly complex—most of the time is spent understanding the components and configuring messaging channels. Once it's running and connected to your daily Telegram or Discord, the experience is quite solid.
If you run into issues during installation, feel free to leave a comment below, or check the official documentation.