Ch 3 — Installation, Configuration & First Run
From npm install to your first conversation with OpenClaw
Chapter 3
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APrerequisites & InstallationGetting OpenClaw on your machine
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Prerequisites
Node ≥ 22
install
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download
npm Install
Global package
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settingsopenclaw.json: the single configuration file (JSON5)
BConfigurationopenclaw.json and LLM providers
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description
openclaw.json
JSON5 format
models
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psychology
LLM Providers
Primary + fallbacks
secrets
CDirectory StructureWhere OpenClaw stores everything
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folder
~/.openclaw/
Home directory
DFirst RunYour first conversation
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First Chat
CLI interaction