Set Up OpenClaw on Linux

# OpenClaw for Linux -- Beginner's Guide

Audience: Linux beginners (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, etc.)

Duration: 15-20 minutes (+ 30-60 min for Skills, optional)

Difficulty: Beginner

Tested on: Ubuntu 22.04+ LTS, Debian 12, Fedora 39

Prerequisites

• Linux installed (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)
• Terminal accessible (we will be typing commands)
• Sudo privileges (to install programs)
• Internet connection (for downloads)

Step 1: Open the Terminal

Ubuntu/Debian Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key (or Super)
2. Type: terminal
3. Click on the icon or press Enter

Alternative: Press Ctrl + Alt + T

Step 2: Check for Node.js

In the Terminal:

node --version

You see v20 or higher?

Great! Skip ahead to Step 4.

"command not found: node"?

No worries! Continue with Step 3.

Step 3: Install Node.js

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm -y

Press Enter. It may ask for your password.

For Fedora/RHEL:

sudo dnf install nodejs npm -y

This takes about 2-3 minutes.

Verify Node.js:

node --version

You should see: v22.x.x or v20.x.x

Perfect!

Step 4: Install OpenClaw

In the Terminal:

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

Press Enter.

This takes about 3-5 minutes. At the end you will see:

Installation complete!

Step 5: Configure OpenClaw

This is the most important step!

In the Terminal:

openclaw configure

Press Enter.

A wizard (question dialog) will open.

Question 1: Where will the Gateway run?

Where will the Gateway run?
 Local (this machine)

Select Local with the arrow key and press Enter.

Question 2: What do you want to configure?

You will see:

• Workspace
• Model
• Web tools
• Gateway
• Daemon
• Channels
• Skills

Select Model (with the arrow key, then Enter).

Question 3: Which AI provider?

Model/auth provider

 OpenAI
 Anthropic (Claude)
 Google
... (many more)

Recommendation:

• OpenAI: If you have a ChatGPT subscription
• Google: Free (Gemini)

Select with the arrow key and press Enter.

Question 4: Enter your API Key

Your browser will open (or open it yourself):

• OpenAI: https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys
• Anthropic: https://console.anthropic.com
• Google: Guided in your browser

1. Sign in
2. Create an API Key
3. Copy the code (Ctrl + C)
4. Go back to the Terminal
5. Press Ctrl + V to paste
6. Press Enter

Question 5: Install Skills? (Optional -- takes a long time!)

IMPORTANT: 30-60 minutes on most systems!

Recommendation: Choose a different option (e.g., "Continue").

You can install Skills later.

Question 6: Continue

Select Continue and press Enter.

Done!

Step 6: Open the Dashboard

In the Terminal:

openclaw dashboard

Your browser will open with:

http://127.0.0.1:18789/

If it does not open: Open a browser yourself and enter this address.

Step 7: Send a Test Message

1. Click on the chat window
2. Type: "Hello!"
3. Press Enter

You should get a response!

Step 8: Updates

In the Dashboard you may see:

Update available: v2026.3.13

Click on it. OpenClaw will update (about 30 seconds).

Step 9: Connect WhatsApp (Optional)

In the Terminal:

openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp

A QR code will appear. Scan it with your phone camera.

Common Linux Errors and Solutions

Error 1: "curl: command not found"

Solution (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo apt install curl -y

Solution (Fedora):

sudo dnf install curl -y

Error 2: "Permission denied"

Solution:

bash <(curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh)

Error 3: "command not found: openclaw"

Solution:

source ~/.bashrc

Or: Close the Terminal and reopen it.

Error 4: "No API key found"

Solution:

openclaw configure

Select Model and enter your API Key.

Error 5: "localhost:18789 is not working"

Solution:

openclaw gateway restart

Wait 5 seconds, then try again.

Error 6: "Skills installation failed"

This is NORMAL! OpenClaw still works without them.

Useful Commands

openclaw dashboard          # Open the Dashboard
openclaw gateway status     # Check status
openclaw gateway restart    # Restart
openclaw gateway stop       # Stop
openclaw --help            # Show all commands
openclaw logs --follow     # View logs

Everything working?

Congratulations!

You now have an AI assistant running on Linux!

Having problems?

Option 1: See "Common Errors" above

Option 2: Email: office@markusstoeger.com (subject: openclaw.markusstoeger.com)

Option 3: Managed Hosting (19 Euros/month)

• openclaw.markusstoeger.com