OpenClaw Windows Installation Guide (WSL2)

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that runs on Windows via WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to ensure compatibility and consistency. For security, we recommend installing it in an isolated environment. This step-by-step guide is for Windows 10/11 users.

System Requirements

OS: Windows 10/11 (Build 19041 or higher).
WSL2: Enabled with Ubuntu distribution recommended.
Node.js: Version 22 or higher.
Hardware: Minimum 8GB RAM and sufficient storage for AI models.
API Keys: OpenAI or Anthropic keys for model integration.

Installation Steps

1. Enable WSL2

Open PowerShell as Administrator.
Run command: wsl --install (if WSL is not yet installed).
After restart, install Ubuntu from Microsoft Store or run wsl --install -d Ubuntu.
Launch Ubuntu and complete the initial setup.

2. Install Node.js

In your WSL terminal, update packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade.
Install Node.js: sudo apt install nodejs npm or use NVM for the latest version.

3. Run OpenClaw Installation Script

Execute the following command in your WSL terminal:

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

The script will automatically detect your system, install dependencies, and launch the onboarding wizard.

4. Install Gateway Service

To ensure OpenClaw runs 24/7 as a background service, run:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

5. Configure Integrations

Use the Web UI or CLI to configure Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.
Create a Telegram Bot via @BotFather and paste the token into OpenClaw.
Test the connection by sending a message to your bot.

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Description	Solution
WSL2 Failure	WSL2 fails to install or is not detected.	Enable Virtualization in BIOS. Run DISM commands to enable WSL and VirtualMachinePlatform features, then restart.
Script Errors	Permission denied or network issues during installation.	Run terminal as Administrator. Ensure `curl` is installed. Check firewall settings or use a VPN if the network is throttled.
API Configuration	Keys fail to load or models won't start.	Verify keys on provider dashboards. Run `openclaw test-model` to check specific keys. Check quotas (e.g., Google Antigravity).
Security Risks	Concerns about data leaks or prompt injection.	Highly Recommended: Install on a dedicated VM (like Azure) or isolated PC. Use read-only permissions and regularly update OpenClaw.
Gateway Issues	Service fails to start or crashes.	Check logs with `openclaw logs`. Ensure Node.js version compatibility. Restart WSL if necessary.

Cloud Deployment

For even greater isolation, consider deploying on a Windows 11 VM in Azure. You can use the Azure CLI and deployment scripts to automate the entire process safely.