Do I need to rebuild the image to install one more package?
Usually no. The built-in runtime tools are there so you can install common dependencies directly inside the instance.
Feature
Install OpenClaw dependencies with npm, pip, and preinstalled tools
Install runtime dependencies with npm, pip, and Linuxbrew inside the managed instance instead of rebuilding images for every change.
Instances include built-in package-manager workflows so you can install OpenClaw runtime dependencies without rebuilding images for every experiment, plus ClawHub is pre-installed for skill discovery and install.
What you can do
- Use npm, pip, and Linuxbrew inside the runtime.
- Install dependencies without rebuilding images for each experiment.
- Keep fast iteration possible for scripts, skills, and operational tasks.
- Use the same isolated runtime boundaries as the rest of the platform.
Real product screenshot
Which tools are available
The managed runtime includes npm, pip, Linuxbrew, and related tooling so you can install common dependencies directly in the instance.
That gives you faster iteration for scripts and integrations that need one more package without forcing a custom image rebuild first.
- Install npm packages in the instance
- Install Python dependencies with pip
- Use Linuxbrew and preinstalled tooling
- Avoid rebuilds for normal dependency work
When to use the dedicated install guides
This page covers the runtime capability and the tools you have available. When you need a full install walkthrough for OpenClaw itself or a provider-specific setup, the linked guides take you through the exact steps.
That keeps the feature page focused on the runtime environment while still giving you a fast path into deeper setup documentation.
FAQ
What is the main operator benefit of this feature?
That you can install runtime dependencies inside the managed instance without rebuilding images for every change.