Installing OpenClaw on Windows

Prerequisites

1. **Node.js 18+** - Download the Windows installer from nodejs.org

2. **Git for Windows** - Download from git-scm.com

3. **Windows Terminal** (recommended) - Available from the Microsoft Store

Step 1: Install Node.js

1. Download the LTS version from nodejs.org

2. Run the installer

3. Check "Automatically install necessary tools" when prompted

4. Verify: Open Terminal and run node --version

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

Open Windows Terminal and run:

npm install -g openclaw

Step 3: Verify Installation

openclaw --version

Step 4: Install a Build

mkdir my-agent

cd my-agent

openclaw install agentforge/morning-briefing

Step 5: Configure

Create a .env file in your project folder:

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key-here

Step 6: Run

openclaw start

Common Issues

**"openclaw is not recognized"** - Restart your terminal after installing with npm.

**Permission errors** - Run Terminal as Administrator.

**Node version too old** - Use nvm-windows to manage Node versions.

powershell
npm install -g openclaw

powershell
openclaw --version

powershell
mkdir my-agent
cd my-agent
openclaw install agentforge/morning-briefing

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key-here

powershell
openclaw start