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openclaw/docs/start/getting-started.md
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Markdown

---
summary: "Get OpenClaw installed and run your first chat in minutes."
read_when:
- First time setup from zero
- You want the fastest path to a working chat
title: "Getting Started"
---
# Getting Started
Goal: go from zero to a first working chat with minimal setup.
<Info>
Fastest chat: open the Control UI (no channel setup needed). Run `openclaw dashboard`
and chat in the browser, or open `http://127.0.0.1:18789/` on the
<Tooltip headline="Gateway host" tip="The machine running the OpenClaw gateway service.">gateway host</Tooltip>.
Docs: [Dashboard](/web/dashboard) and [Control UI](/web/control-ui).
</Info>
## Prereqs
- Node 22 or newer
<Tip>
Check your Node version with `node --version` if you are unsure.
</Tip>
## Quick setup (CLI)
<Steps>
<Step title="Install OpenClaw (recommended)">
<Tabs>
<Tab title="macOS/Linux">
```bash
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
```
<img
src="/assets/install-script.svg"
alt="Install Script Process"
className="rounded-lg"
/>
</Tab>
<Tab title="Windows (PowerShell)">
```powershell
iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex
```
</Tab>
</Tabs>
<Note>
Other install methods and requirements: [Install](/install).
</Note>
</Step>
<Step title="Run the onboarding wizard">
```bash
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
```
The wizard configures auth, gateway settings, and optional channels.
See [Onboarding Wizard](/start/wizard) for details.
</Step>
<Step title="Check the Gateway">
If you installed the service, it should already be running:
```bash
openclaw gateway status
```
</Step>
<Step title="Open the Control UI">
```bash
openclaw dashboard
```
</Step>
</Steps>
<Check>
If the Control UI loads, your Gateway is ready for use.
</Check>
## Optional checks and extras
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Run the Gateway in the foreground">
Useful for quick tests or troubleshooting.
```bash
openclaw gateway --port 18789
```
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Send a test message">
Requires a configured channel.
```bash
openclaw message send --target +15555550123 --message "Hello from OpenClaw"
```
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
## Useful environment variables
If you run OpenClaw as a service account or want custom config/state locations:
- `OPENCLAW_HOME` sets the home directory used for internal path resolution.
- `OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR` overrides the state directory.
- `OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH` overrides the config file path.
Full environment variable reference: [Environment vars](/help/environment).
## Go deeper
<Columns>
<Card title="Onboarding Wizard (details)" href="/start/wizard">
Full CLI wizard reference and advanced options.
</Card>
<Card title="macOS app onboarding" href="/start/onboarding">
First run flow for the macOS app.
</Card>
</Columns>
## What you will have
- A running Gateway
- Auth configured
- Control UI access or a connected channel
## Next steps
- DM safety and approvals: [Pairing](/channels/pairing)
- Connect more channels: [Channels](/channels)
- Advanced workflows and from source: [Setup](/start/setup)