Guide

OpenClaw Setup Checklist for Non‑Developers

What setup normally requires—and how ConfigClaw simplifies it

OpenClaw is built for serious, always‑on AI assistants. That usually means a serious install: terminals, Node versions, environment variables, config files, and servers. If you're not a developer, it can feel like you're locked out before you even start.

This checklist walks through what a typical OpenClaw setup involves and shows where ConfigClaw steps in so you can get the same results without touching the technical pieces.

1. Install prerequisites

A manual OpenClaw install usually starts with making sure your environment is ready:

  • Compatible Node.js version installed.
  • Package manager (npm, pnpm, or yarn) available.
  • Command line access on your machine or server.

With ConfigClaw, the runtime and dependencies are handled for you in the background. You sign up, log into the dashboard, and skip straight to models and assistants.

2. Get your API keys and tokens

To make OpenClaw useful, you'll eventually connect it to AI models and channels. Manually, that means:

  • Creating API keys for Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, or other model providers.
  • Generating tokens for channels like Slack, Telegram, Discord, and email providers.
  • Storing those secrets in environment variables or config files.

ConfigClaw still needs your keys—but instead of editing env files, you paste them into secure fields in the dashboard. We wire them into the underlying OpenClaw configuration for you.

3. Configure OpenClaw itself

As explained in our OpenClaw configuration guide, OpenClaw keeps its core settings in openclaw.json. A typical manual flow:

  • Run openclaw onboard to generate a starting config.
  • Edit ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json to define agents, models, and channels.
  • Use CLI helpers like openclaw config get and config set to tweak.

With ConfigClaw, that same configuration is managed through forms and toggles. You never openopenclaw.json, but you still get a fully valid OpenClaw setup under the hood.

4. Create your first OpenClaw AI agent

OpenClaw agents are where your assistants live: each has its own persona, tools, and behavior. Manually, you'd define agents in your config file and test them with CLI commands or the Control UI.

ConfigClaw turns this into a guided flow. If you haven't already, read the OpenClaw AI agent guide for a full overview. The short version:

  • Pick an agent template or start from scratch.
  • Choose your primary model and any fallbacks from a list.
  • Set persona, memory, tools, and channel access from a visual editor.

5. Validate and monitor your setup

With manual OpenClaw, you'd lean on openclaw doctor, logs, and restarts to catch config issues. In ConfigClaw, validation and basic health checks can be surfaced directly in the dashboard, so you get human‑readable messages instead of stack traces.

6. Deploy and iterate

Once everything is wired up, both approaches end in the same place: a live OpenClaw deployment. The difference is how you get there:

  • Manual: edit config, run commands, check logs, repeat.
  • ConfigClaw: adjust settings in the UI, redeploy, and watch your agent update.

Checklist summary

  • ✅ Environment ready (handled by ConfigClaw for hosted deployments).
  • ✅ API keys and tokens collected (pasted once into secure fields).
  • ✅ OpenClaw configuration created and validated (managed behind the scenes).
  • ✅ First OpenClaw AI agent configured with persona, tools, and channels.
  • ✅ Deployment live, with a clear path to iterate without touching terminals.

Where to learn more

Get started with OpenClaw in 60 seconds, or read the OpenClaw AI overview and OpenClaw configuration guide. When you're ready to do setup the easy way, visit the OpenClaw setup page or join the waitlist from the homepage.