Windows Guide
OpenClaw Windows install
This page is specifically for installing OpenClaw on Windows. Use it when you need a Windows-first flow with PowerShell commands, WSL2 recommendations, and post-install checks.
If you need generic cross-platform install instructions, go to install OpenClaw. If OpenClaw is installed but failing to run, use setup troubleshooting.
WSL2 is strongly recommended for the cleanest OpenClaw experience on Windows. It provides a Linux-compatible environment with better compatibility for Node.js tooling and the gateway.
Prerequisites
- Windows 10/11 (build 1903+ for WSL2).
- PowerShell 5.1+ or Windows Terminal.
- Node 22+ (installed in WSL2 or via nvm-windows).
- LLM provider credentials (OpenAI/Anthropic/Gemini).
Option A: WSL2 (recommended)
1. Enable WSL2:
wsl --install
2. Restart your computer, then open Ubuntu (or your preferred distro).
3. Inside WSL2, install OpenClaw:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
4. Run onboarding:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
5. Verify gateway:
openclaw gateway status openclaw dashboard
Option B: Direct Windows install
1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run the installer:
iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex
3. Verify installation:
openclaw doctor openclaw status
4. Run onboarding:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
5. Open dashboard:
openclaw dashboard
Configure gateway port
By default, the gateway runs on port 18789. To change it:
openclaw gateway --port 18790
Verify the change:
openclaw config get gateway.auth.token
Common errors and quick fixes
Execution policy error
If PowerShell blocks the script:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
"openclaw is not recognized"
Ensure Node global bin is in PATH:
npm prefix -g
Add to PATH if needed, then restart PowerShell.
WSL2 not supported
Ensure Windows is up to date and enable Virtual Machine Platform:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
Gateway fails to start
Check port availability:
netstat -ano | findstr 18789
Use a different port if needed.
Dashboard shows "unauthorized" (1008)
Generate or retrieve your gateway token:
openclaw doctor --generate-gateway-token openclaw config get gateway.auth.token