OpenClaw Setup Guide for Complete Beginners (2026)

OpenClaw (previously Clawdbot) is an AI agent that browses the web, sends messages, and automates tasks. Here’s how to get started.

Two Paths to OpenClaw

Path A: StartClaw (5 minutes) - Recommended

For most people, StartClaw is the fastest way to get OpenClaw running:

1. Sign up at startclaw.com
2. Create an agent - Click “New Agent”
3. Add your API key - Paste your Anthropic key
4. Connect WhatsApp - Scan QR code
5. Done! - Start chatting with your AI

Total time: 5 minutes

Path B: Self-Hosted (2-4 hours)

If you want to run OpenClaw yourself:

Prerequisites:

• Computer/server running 24/7
• Node.js 22+
• Command line experience
• 2-4 hours of time

Step 1: Install Node.js

Mac

brew install node@22

Linux

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Step 2: Clone OpenClaw

git clone https://github.com/psteinroe/openclaw.git cd openclaw npm install

Step 3: Configure

cp .env.example .env

Edit .env and add your ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

Step 4: Start

npm run start

Note: Self-hosting requires ongoing maintenance. See our self-hosting vs StartClaw comparison for the full picture.

Getting Your API Key

OpenClaw needs an AI provider. We recommend Anthropic (Claude):

1. Go to console.anthropic.com
2. Sign up for an account
3. Navigate to API Keys
4. Create a new key
5. Copy it to your OpenClaw config

Important: Set a spending limit! Start with $50/month.

First Steps After Setup

Once OpenClaw is running:

1. Connect WhatsApp

See our WhatsApp setup guide for detailed steps.

2. Test Basic Commands

Try these in your connected WhatsApp:

• “What can you do?”
• “Search the web for [topic]”
• “Remind me to [task] in 1 hour”

3. Set Up Automations

Ask OpenClaw to:

• “Every morning, send me a weather summary”
• “Watch my email for invoices and notify me”
• “Monitor Reddit for mentions of [keyword]“

Troubleshooting

”Gateway Failed to Start”

See our troubleshooting guide.

WhatsApp Won’t Connect

• Close any other WhatsApp Web sessions
• Make sure your phone has internet
• Try generating a new QR code

High API Costs

• Switch from Claude Opus to Claude Sonnet
• Set spending limits in Anthropic dashboard
• Review your automation frequency

FAQ

Q: Do I need to know how to code? A: No! StartClaw requires zero coding. Self-hosting requires basic command line skills.

Q: How much does it cost? A: See our cost breakdown. Budget $60-150/month for typical use.

Q: Is my data private? A: On StartClaw, your data is encrypted and isolated. Self-hosted = your responsibility.

Q: Are credits included? A: Yes! All StartClaw plans include monthly credits. You can also add your own API keys as a fallback.

Next Steps

• Connect OpenClaw to WhatsApp
• See what OpenClaw can do
• Learn about costs

The Easy Way

If this guide feels overwhelming, that’s okay. StartClaw exists specifically for people who want OpenClaw without the setup.

Try StartClaw Free - Running in 5 minutes, guaranteed.