Set up OpenClaw on Windows

Beginner25 minutes

Target audience: Absolute beginners -- no PowerShell knowledge needed
Duration: 25 minutes (+ optional 30-90 min for Skills)
Difficulty: Beginner
System: Windows 10/11 with WSL2 (Linux on Windows)

⚠️ Security note: OpenClaw has access to files and can run commands. This guide works on your Mac/PC — however, we recommend installing it on a VPS or a separate device.

What is WSL2?

WSL2 = Linux runs INSIDE Windows -- this makes OpenClaw more stable and easier to use.

If you have Windows XP/7: This will not work. You need Windows 10 or newer with WSL2 support.

Step 0: Install WSL2 + Node.js

SCREEN 1: PowerShell (Administrator)

Press Windows key + X
Click on "PowerShell (Administrator)" or "Terminal (Administrator)"
A blue window opens

In the PowerShell window, type:

wsl --install

Press Enter.

What happens:

Windows downloads Ubuntu (Linux) -- 5-15 minutes
At the end it asks: "Restart now?"
Click "Restart now" or type y
Your PC restarts

After restart: Ubuntu setup

After the restart, a black Ubuntu window opens automatically.

It asks:

Enter new UNIX username:

Type a name (e.g. max) and press Enter.

Then:

New password:

Type a password (it won't be displayed -- that's normal) and press Enter.

Confirm by pressing Enter again.

Done! WSL2 is installed.

Install Node.js in Ubuntu

The Ubuntu window should still be open.

Type:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -

Press Enter. It may ask for your password (the one from above).

Then:

sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Press Enter.

This takes 3-5 minutes.

Verify Node.js

In the Ubuntu window:

node --version

You should see: v22.x.x

Done!

Step 1: Install OpenClaw

Important: Stay in the Ubuntu window (not PowerShell).

Type:

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

Press Enter.

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

Installation complete!

Step 2: Configure

In the Ubuntu window:

openclaw configure

Press Enter.

SCREEN 1: Gateway location

Where will the Gateway run?
* Local (this machine)
  Remote (info-only)

Local is already selected. Press Enter.

SCREEN 2: What do you want to configure?

Select sections to configure

● Workspace
○ Model
○ Web tools
○ Gateway
○ Daemon
○ Channels (Link WhatsApp/Telegram/etc)
○ Skills
○ Health check
○ Continue

The cursor (●) is on Workspace. Use the arrow key (↓) to navigate down to Model and press Enter.

SCREEN 3: Choose your AI provider

Model/auth provider

  OpenAI (ChatGPT)
  Anthropic (Claude)
  Google (Gemini)
  vLLM (Local)
... (many more)

Important: OAuth vs API Key

OAuth (recommended) -- FREE with your existing subscription

OpenAI (ChatGPT): You need a ChatGPT Pro subscription (EUR 20/month)

- OpenClaw uses your existing subscription — no extra API key needed

- You do NOT pay extra

API Key -- PAID

Google, others: Cost money per API call

Beginner recommendation:

If you have ChatGPT Pro: Choose OpenAI → OAuth login, no API key needed

If you have neither: Easiest option is Google Gemini (free API key via Google AI Studio)

Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice and press Enter.

SCREEN 4: Login (OAuth)

Your browser (your Windows browser, not Ubuntu!) opens.

For OpenAI:

Sign in with your ChatGPT account
Grant OpenClaw permission
The browser closes automatically
The Ubuntu window shows: "Auth successful"

SCREEN 2 (back): Further configuration?

Select sections to configure

● Workspace
○ Model (done)
○ Web tools
○ Gateway
○ Daemon
○ Channels (WhatsApp/Telegram/etc)
○ Skills
○ Health check
○ Continue

Options:

Option A: Dashboard only (quick)

Select Continue and press Enter
OpenClaw starts right away

Option B: Connect WhatsApp now (10 min more)

Select Channels and press Enter
Follow the instructions below

Option C: Install Skills (30-90+ min, optional)

Warning: This is even slower on Windows than on Mac!
Many may fail -- that is NORMAL

(Optional) Connect WhatsApp

If you chose Channels (same as on Mac):

SCREEN 3: Channel status

You will see:

Channel status

Telegram: needs token
WhatsApp (default): not linked   <-- We will change this
Discord: needs token
...

Select WhatsApp and press Enter.

SCREEN 4-7: WhatsApp setup

(Same as on Mac -- see Step 2, SCREEN 4-7 in the Mac guide)

Choose Configure/link
Choose WhatsApp
Scan the QR code with your phone (WhatsApp -> Linked Devices -> QR)
Enter your number (+43...)
Done!

SCREEN 2 (back): Continue

Select Continue and press Enter.

Step 3: Open the Dashboard

In the Ubuntu window:

openclaw dashboard

Press Enter.

Your Windows browser opens with:

http://127.0.0.1:18789/

You will see the chat window -- your AI assistant!

Step 4: Test message

Click into the chat window
Type: "Hello!"
Press Enter

You will get a response!

Step 5: Updates

In the Dashboard:

Update available: v2026.3.13

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

Step 6: Use WhatsApp

If connected:

Open WhatsApp on your phone and type:

"What can you do?"

OpenClaw replies directly!

Common Windows errors and solutions

Error 1: "WSL2 installation failed"

Solution:

Press Windows key + X
Click "System Settings"
Go to "Apps" -> "Apps & Features" -> "Optional Features"
Click "More Features"
Look for "Windows Subsystem for Linux"
Check the box
Click OK
Restart your PC
Try wsl --install again

Error 2: "Ubuntu window won't open"

Solution:

Press Windows key + X
Click "Terminal (Administrator)"
There should be an "Ubuntu" tab
If not: Click "+" and select "Ubuntu"

Error 3: "curl: command not found"

In the Ubuntu window:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install curl -y

Error 4: "command not found: openclaw"

Solution:

source ~/.bashrc

Or: Close the Ubuntu window and reopen it.

Error 5: "WhatsApp not found" during Channels setup

This is normal with older setups.

Try again: openclaw configure -> Channels

Error 6: "localhost:18789 doesn't work"

Solution (in the Ubuntu window):

openclaw gateway restart

Wait 5 seconds, then try again.

Error 7: "running scripts is disabled on this system" (PowerShell)

Problem: When running the installer, PowerShell blocks script execution by default.

Fix:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Press Enter, then Y, then Enter.

Then run the installer command again — no more errors.

Error 8: "Skills installation takes 2+ hours"

This is NORMAL on Windows! (Even longer than on Mac)

Solution: Wait, or press Ctrl + C to cancel and skip.

Useful Terminal Commands

Gateway \& Status

openclaw dashboard              # Open the Dashboard in your browser
openclaw gateway status         # Is OpenClaw running?
openclaw gateway restart        # Restart (fixes most issues)
openclaw gateway stop           # Stop
openclaw gateway start          # Start
openclaw gateway run            # Run in foreground (with live logs)
openclaw status                 # Show channel health and recent sessions
openclaw health                 # Fetch Gateway health
openclaw --help                 # Show all available commands

Diagnostics \& Troubleshooting

openclaw doctor                 # Health check — detects and reports issues
openclaw doctor --repair        # Like doctor, but tries to fix issues automatically
openclaw logs --follow          # View live logs (Ctrl+C to stop)
openclaw logs --follow --json   # Logs in JSON format (for developers)
openclaw tui                    # Terminal UI — chat directly in the terminal

Exec Approvals (Tool Permissions)

openclaw approvals get                               # Show current permissions
openclaw approvals allowlist add "/bin/bash"         # Allow bash
openclaw approvals allowlist add "/usr/bin/python3"  # Allow Python

Note: If your assistant cannot run terminal commands, it's usually because Exec Approvals are not configured yet. Start with openclaw approvals get and openclaw doctor.

Channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord)

openclaw channels status        # Connection status of all channels
openclaw channels logs          # View channel logs
openclaw configure              # Set up or reconnect channels

Sessions \& Agents

openclaw sessions list          # Show stored sessions
openclaw agents list            # Show all configured agents

Skills \& Updates

openclaw skills list            # Show installed skills
openclaw skills search <name>   # Search for a new skill
openclaw update                 # Update OpenClaw

Security \& Backup

openclaw security audit         # Run a security audit
openclaw backup create          # Create a backup
openclaw backup verify          # Verify a backup

Advanced

openclaw memory search <query>  # Search memory files
openclaw models list            # Show available AI models
openclaw message send --target +43... --message "Test"  # Send a message
openclaw docs                   # Search documentation

Congratulations!

You now have an AI assistant on Windows!

Runs stably in WSL2 (Linux on Windows)
In your browser: http://127.0.0.1:18789/
Optional WhatsApp/Telegram
Auto-updates

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