How to Set Up OpenClaw: Complete Beginner's Guide 2026

Step 1: Install Node.js

OpenClaw requires Node.js 20 or later. Check your version:

$ node --version
v22.22.0

If you don't have it, install via nodejs.org or use a version manager like nvm or fnm.

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

$ npm install -g openclaw

Verify the installation:

$ openclaw --version

Step 3: Initialize Your Workspace

OpenClaw uses a workspace directory (default: ~/.openclaw/workspace) to store your agent's memory and configuration.

$ openclaw init

This creates the workspace structure:

~/.openclaw/workspace/
├── SOUL.md          # Your agent's personality
├── AGENTS.md        # Agent behavior instructions
├── USER.md          # Info about you (the human)
├── TOOLS.md         # Local tool configuration
├── daily/           # Daily notes (auto-created)
├── tacit/           # Tacit knowledge about you
└── life/            # PARA-organized knowledge graph
    ├── projects/
    ├── areas/
    ├── resources/
    └── archives/

Step 4: Configure Your LLM

Set your preferred model and API key. OpenClaw supports any OpenAI-compatible API:

# For Anthropic Claude
$ export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

# For OpenAI
$ export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

# Configure in OpenClaw
$ openclaw config set model anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514

Step 5: Customize Your Agent's Soul

Edit SOUL.md to define your agent's personality. This is the most important file — it determines how your agent communicates and behaves:

# SOUL.md

Be genuinely helpful, not performatively helpful.
Have opinions. Be resourceful before asking.
Earn trust through competence.

## Vibe
Concise when needed, thorough when it matters.
Not a corporate drone. Not a sycophant. Just good.

Step 6: Connect Discord (Optional)

To give your agent a presence on Discord:

1. Create a Discord bot at discord.com/developers
2. Enable Message Content Intent under Bot settings
3. Invite the bot to your server with appropriate permissions
4. Set your bot token:

$ openclaw config set discord.token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN

Step 7: Start the Gateway

$ openclaw gateway start

Your agent is now live! It will respond to messages in Discord, maintain its own memory, and follow the personality you defined in SOUL.md.

Step 8: Understanding the Memory System

OpenClaw uses a three-layer memory system that persists across sessions:

Step 9: Heartbeats & Proactive Behavior

OpenClaw agents can be proactive via heartbeats — periodic check-ins where your agent can check email, calendar, weather, and more. Configure heartbeat intervals and define what your agent should check in HEARTBEAT.md.

Next Steps