Build an assistant you can understand, operate, and improve. This handbook takes you from a first chat to dependable day-to-day workflows, without assuming you are a developer.
Choose your route
- New installation: read chapters 2–4, then connect one channel in chapter 7.
- Already running: check models, memory, and skills in chapters 6–11.
- Something broke: start with troubleshooting in chapter 21. Do not reset a working installation just to investigate an error.
- Need a command: use the quick reference in chapter 23.
How to use the examples
Terminal commands run on the machine hosting OpenClaw unless stated otherwise. Slash commands are sent in an OpenClaw chat. Run terminal lines individually; read the result before continuing. Replace placeholders such as MODEL_ID with your own value. Never paste placeholder credentials into a working setup.
Version and scope
Reviewed on against the documentation shipped with OpenClaw 2026.9.6. This is an independent community guide, not official OpenClaw documentation. Features depend on your version, operating system, provider, installed plugins, and permissions. Each chapter links to its official reference.
This revision corrects installation requirements, approval syntax, credential handling, model configuration, and update recovery. It also removes outdated price comparisons and unrendered drafting markup.