OpenClaw Documentation
OpenClawApple-level polish for your AI gateway.
Build a private, lightning-fast AI command center across WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage. One gateway. One setup. Total control on your own hardware.
Connect Every Platform
One gateway, unlimited possibilities
How It Works
Simple architecture, powerful capabilities
WhatsApp / Telegram / Discord / iMessage (+ plugins) │ ▼ ┌───────────────────────────┐ │ Gateway │ ws://127.0.0.1:18789 (loopback-only) │ (single source) │ │ │ http://<gateway-host>:18793 │ │ /__openclaw__/canvas/ (Canvas host) └───────────┬───────────────┘ │ ├─ Pi agent (RPC) ├─ CLI (openclaw …) ├─ Chat UI (SwiftUI) ├─ macOS app (OpenClaw.app) ├─ iOS node via Gateway WS + pairing └─ Android node via Gateway WS + pairingAll operations flow through the Gateway (openclaw gateway),
a single long-running process that owns channel connections and the WebSocket control plane.
Quick Start
Get running in under 5 minutes
Install globally and set up the service:
# Install OpenClawnpm install -g openclaw@latest
# Run interactive setup wizardopenclaw onboard --install-daemon
# Pair WhatsApp (displays QR code)openclaw channels login whatsapp
# Start the gatewayopenclaw gatewayRun with Docker for isolated deployment:
# Pull and rundocker run -d \ -p 18789:18789 \ -v openclaw-data:/data \ openclaw/openclaw:latest
# View logsdocker logs -f <container-id>See Docker Installation for detailed configuration.
Build from source for development:
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.gitcd openclawpnpm installpnpm build
# Run setup./bin/openclaw onboardRequirements: Node.js ≥ 22 | View all requirements
Why Developers Choose OpenClaw
Built by developers, for developers
Local-First Privacy
Your data never leaves your hardware. Complete control, complete privacy. No cloud dependencies.
Lightning Performance
Sub-second response times with optimized streaming, chunking, and intelligent caching.
AI Agent Bridge
Connect to Pi and other AI agents via RPC with full tool streaming support.
Multi-Platform
Works on macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android with consistent experience.
Group Chat Support
Mention-based activation with configurable auto-join for seamless group integration.
Rich Media
Send and receive images, audio, documents, and voice notes with transcription hooks.
Documentation
Everything you need to know
🚀 Getting Started
⚙️ Core Concepts
📱 Platforms
📚 Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
What messaging platforms are supported?
OpenClaw supports WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage out of the box. Additional platforms like Mattermost and Slack can be added via plugins.
Does the Gateway need to run continuously?
Yes, the Gateway is a long-running process that maintains all channel connections. We recommend installing it as a system service for automatic startup.
Can I run multiple Gateways?
Yes, you can run multiple Gateways with isolated profiles and different ports. This is useful for separating personal and work environments.
Is OpenClaw secure?
OpenClaw runs entirely locally with encrypted connections. Your messages and AI conversations never leave your infrastructure unless explicitly configured.
Ready to Build the Future?
Join thousands of developers building with OpenClaw