OpenClaw onboarding · public sanitized guide

Set up your own local AI operator.

This is the practical version: install OpenClaw, connect Telegram, add the core skills, set up memory, and drop in a clean starter workspace under ~/clawd/.

Download templates Start install
Time to first runAbout 5–15 minutes
Best platformmacOS first, Linux also works
Main channelTelegram bot recommended

1. What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is a local AI assistant framework. It runs on your machine, talks through channels like Telegram, iMessage, Discord, WhatsApp, or a terminal UI, and uses tools to actually get work done instead of only chatting.

The useful parts are skills, MCPs, and memory. Skills are modular capabilities such as GitHub, email, weather, coding agents, or Apple Notes. MCPs connect external tool providers. Memory gives the assistant continuity through files like MEMORY.md and memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md.

Think of it as a personal operating layer for AI: local-first, tool-connected, and customizable. Source is at github.com/openclaw/openclaw, docs at docs.openclaw.ai, and the community is on Discord.

2. Prerequisites

Computer

macOS or Linux. Linux works, but most polish and personal-app integrations are strongest on macOS.

Package manager

Homebrew installed and working.

Runtime

Node.js 22+ available on your PATH.

Model key

An Anthropic API key, or another provider such as OpenAI or Google.

Messaging

A Telegram account. Optional, but it is the cleanest first channel.

3. Install in 5 minutes

# 1. Install OpenClaw
brew install openclaw/tap/openclaw

# 2. Run first-time setup
openclaw init

# 3. Add your model API key
openclaw config set agents.defaults.model anthropic/claude-opus-4-7
openclaw secrets set anthropic.apiKey 

# 4. Start it up
openclaw gateway start
openclaw tui
Troubleshooting: if the gateway will not start, run openclaw gateway status and check for a port conflict. If Homebrew errors on permissions, fix Homebrew ownership rather than using sudo brew.

4. Essential skills to install

Install only what you will use. Start with the core set, then add personal integrations as your workflow becomes clear.

memoryBuilt in. Long-term memory via MEMORY.md and memory/*.md.# built in; no install needed
githubGitHub CLI integration for repos, PRs, issues. Requires gh auth login.openclaw skills install github
gh-issuesFetch issues, delegate fixes, watch reviews.openclaw skills install gh-issues
weatherCurrent weather, forecasts, and rain alerts.openclaw skills install weather
healthcheckHost audit and hardening checks.openclaw skills install healthcheck
skill-creatorMeta-skill for building and improving skills.openclaw skills install skill-creator
coding-agentDelegate feature work to Codex, Claude Code, or Pi. Requires the relevant coding agent auth.openclaw skills install coding-agent
taskflowDurable multi-step jobs with state and waits.openclaw skills install taskflow
geminiGemini CLI Q&A and generation. Requires Gemini CLI/auth.openclaw skills install gemini
himalayaIMAP/SMTP email through Himalaya. Requires email account setup.openclaw skills install himalaya
apple-notesmacOS Notes integration.openclaw skills install apple-notes
imsgiMessage/SMS CLI on macOS.openclaw skills install imsg
acp-routerRouting for coding-agent harness sessions.openclaw skills install acp-router

5. Recommended MCPs

Composio

Composio is the big unlock: one MCP provider gives access to hundreds of integrations such as Gmail, Slack, Shopify, Notion, and more. Sign up at composio.dev, create an API key, then add the MCP server in OpenClaw.

openclaw mcp add

The exact MCP URL and headers come from your Composio dashboard. Store secrets in OpenClaw secrets or your password manager, not in public docs.

Brave Search

Brave Search is already available as OpenClaw's web_search tool in many setups. Use it for quick web lookups and current facts.

6. Connect Telegram

1
Open Telegram and message @BotFather.
2
Send /newbot, choose a display name and username.
3
Copy the bot token. Treat it like a password.
4
Add it to OpenClaw using your local config/secrets flow, for example openclaw secrets set telegram.botToken <token>.
5
Restart the gateway, send your bot a message, and confirm OpenClaw replies.
openclaw gateway restart

7. The ~/clawd workspace

Use ~/clawd/ as the global workspace. It is where your assistant stores durable context, project files, local notes, and operating policies.

  • AGENTS.md — operating manual: lifecycle, routing, safety, delegation.
  • SOUL.md — persona and tone of voice.
  • USER.md — information about you and your preferences.
  • IDENTITY.md — metadata about the assistant.
  • TOOLS.md — local cheat sheet for your machine and integrations.
  • MEMORY.md — curated long-term memory.
  • memory/ — daily logs such as memory/2026-05-01.md.

8. Memory & policy patterns that actually work

  1. Daily memory files. Log raw continuity to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md so sessions do not start cold.
  2. MEMORY.md curation. Periodically distill daily logs into stable long-term memory.
  3. Sub-agent orchestration. Keep the main session conversational; delegate real work that takes over ~30 seconds.
  4. Auto-chain QC. Coding tasks should automatically chain to review: builder creates, reviewer verifies.
  5. Command Central. Track work in ~/clawd/command-central/tasks.json and optionally show it in a simple dashboard.
  6. Cron for reminders. Never use shell sleep loops for scheduled work. Use OpenClaw's scheduler/cron path.
  7. Honcho cross-session memory. Optional advanced setup for shared context between sessions. Useful later, not day one.

9. Recommended sub-agent routing

Task TypeModelNotes
Codingopenai-codex/gpt-5.5Heavy builder
QC / reviewanthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6Verifier
Research / browseranthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6Investigation
Simple file opsopenai-codex/gpt-5.4-miniLight
Trivial transformsanthropic/claude-haiku-3.5Cheapest
Orchestratoranthropic/claude-opus-4-7Main session brain

10. Download the templates

clawd-templates.zip

Sanitized starter files: AGENTS.md, SOUL.md, USER.md, IDENTITY.md, TOOLS.md, MEMORY.md, memory/.gitkeep, and README.md.

Download ZIP

11. Next steps

Week 1

Install OpenClaw, set up Telegram, talk to it for an hour, and watch what it remembers.

Week 2

Install 2–3 skills you will actually use. Try one delegated sub-agent task.

Month 1

Build your own skill, set up a Command Central dashboard, and rewrite AGENTS.md to match how you work.

12. Resources