OpenClaw Setup: From Zero to Running in 30 Minutes

This guide walks you through installing and configuring OpenClaw from scratch. By the end, you’ll have a working AI agent you can talk to via Telegram. No coding experience needed — just follow each step carefully.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

• A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux (or a cloud server)
• An internet connection
• An Anthropic API key (free to create, pay-as-you-go usage)
• A Telegram account (free)
• About 30 minutes

Step 1: Install Node.js

OpenClaw runs on Node.js. Download the LTS version from nodejs.org, run the installer, and verify with node --version.

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

Open your terminal and run:

npm install -g openclaw

Verify with openclaw --version.

Step 3: Get an Anthropic API Key

1. Go to console.anthropic.com and create a free account
2. Navigate to API Keys in the left sidebar
3. Click Create Key, name it “OpenClaw”, and copy the key
4. Add a payment method (pay-as-you-go)

Step 4: Initialize OpenClaw

Run openclaw init and follow the interactive wizard. Enter your API key, choose a model (Claude Sonnet is the default), and let it create your workspace folder with starter files.

Step 5: Set Up Your Telegram Bot

1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather
2. Send /newbot and follow the prompts to name your bot
3. Copy the bot token
4. Run openclaw plugin install telegram and enter your token

Step 6: Start OpenClaw

Run openclaw start. Open Telegram, find your bot, and send “Hello!” — your agent should respond.

Step 7: Customize Your Agent

Edit SOUL.md for personality, USER.md for your info, and AGENTS.md for operational instructions. The more context you give it, the more helpful it becomes.

Optional: Run on a Cloud Server for 24/7 Access

For an always-on assistant, a VPS from DigitalOcean ($4/mo) or Vultr ($2.50/mo) keeps your agent running even when your laptop is closed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“openclaw: command not found” — npm’s bin directory isn’t in your PATH. Re-run npm install or check your shell config.

Telegram bot not responding — Make sure the OpenClaw process is still running. Use tmux or a background service to keep it alive.

API key errors — Double-check for extra spaces. Ensure your Anthropic account has billing set up even if within free tier.

You’re Up and Running!

Your OpenClaw agent is live. Explore the OpenClaw Commands Reference, Installing Skills, and Advanced Telegram Setup next.