OpenClaw macOS Installation Guide

OpenClaw is a powerful local AI agent that interacts via Telegram, WhatsApp, and other channels. Installing it on macOS is straightforward and provides a smooth, native experience. While any Mac works, many users prefer a Mac mini as a dedicated 24/7 AI server.

Prerequisites

Hardware: Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Mac. 8GB+ RAM and SSD recommended.
OS: macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer for best compatibility.
Network: Stable internet connection and a messaging account (Telegram/WhatsApp).

Step 1: System Preparation

1.1 Update macOS

softwareupdate --install --all

1.2 Install Node.js

OpenClaw requires Node.js v22 or higher. If you have Homebrew installed:

brew install node

Step 2: Run the One-Liner Installer

The recommendation is to use the automated script which detects your system and installs OpenClaw globally.

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

This process typically takes 1-5 minutes depending on your network.

Step 3: Initial Configuration & Launch

Configure your AI models and messaging channels using the onboarding wizard.

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

Background Service: The --install-daemon flag registers OpenClaw as a launchd service for 24/7 operation.
AI Models: Choose your provider (Google Gemini, Anthropic, or OpenAI) and enter your API key.
Messaging: Set up your Telegram Bot via @BotFather and paste the token when prompted.
Workspace: Your configuration and memories will be stored in ~/.openclaw/workspace/.

Step 4: Verification

Send /start to your bot on Telegram and try a command like "hello".
Check status in Terminal: openclaw status.
Test browser capabilities: "Search for OpenClaw on Google".

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Description	Solution
Script Failure	curl errors or network timeouts during installation.	Check VPN/Network; download manually via `curl -O https://openclaw.ai/install.sh` and run `bash install.sh`.
Node.js Version	Error message: "Requires Node.js ≥ 22".	Run `brew upgrade node` or install specifically via `brew install node@22 && brew link node@22`.
Daemon Not Starting	Service doesn't start automatically after reboot.	Re-run `openclaw onboard --install-daemon` or check `launchctl list \| grep openclaw`.
Messaging Lag	Bot is unresponsive to messages.	Verify API token; ensure Mac is not in sleep mode (System Settings > Energy Saver). Run `openclaw restart`.
Gatekeeper Alert	macOS blocks downloaded components.	Right-click > Open > Allow; or run `xattr -cr /path/to/component` to remove quarantine.

Security Note

For 24/7 operation, use a dedicated Mac (like a Mac mini) and a non-primary user account. Regularly back up your ~/.openclaw/ directory to preserve agent memory and configurations.