Installing OpenClaw on macOS

Prerequisites

1. **Homebrew** - Install from brew.sh

2. **Node.js 18+** - Via Homebrew or nvm

Step 1: Install Node.js

Using Homebrew:

brew install node

Or using nvm (recommended for managing versions):

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash

nvm install 20

nvm use 20

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

npm install -g openclaw

Step 3: Install a Build

mkdir my-agent && cd my-agent

openclaw install agentforge/research-assistant

Step 4: Configure & Run

echo "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key" > .env

openclaw start

Common Issues

**Permission denied on npm install -g** - Use sudo npm install -g openclaw or fix npm permissions.

**M1/M2 compatibility** - All builds are compatible with Apple Silicon.

bash
brew install node

bash
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash
nvm install 20
nvm use 20

bash
npm install -g openclaw

bash
mkdir my-agent && cd my-agent
openclaw install agentforge/research-assistant

bash
echo "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key" > .env
openclaw start