What You Need to Know
Start with the one-line installer: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash on macOS or Linux, or iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex on Windows PowerShell. Then run openclaw onboard --install-daemon so your gateway starts automatically after reboots. Verify everything works with openclaw --version, openclaw doctor, and openclaw dashboard.
If your first setup goal is stability, connect Telegram first — it is the most reliable channel and survives reboots cleanly. Add WhatsApp or Discord only after the core path is confirmed working. Resist the temptation to connect multiple channels simultaneously before your workspace files are settled.
After install, focus on workspace files and security defaults before adding community skills. Create a clear identity in SOUL.md — this is the file that shapes your assistant's personality and response style. Keep AGENTS.md tightly scoped to your actual workflows, and write USER.md with your real preferences so the assistant understands how to communicate with you.
Turn on conservative DM policies from the start. Use dmPolicy: "paired-only" or strict allowlists, enable sandbox mode for non-main sessions, and restrict credential exposure. These defaults take minutes to configure but prevent most security incidents. You can always loosen them later once you understand how your assistant behaves in practice.
For the fastest path from zero to a working daily assistant, the recommended order is: install, onboard, write SOUL.md and USER.md, connect one channel, run openclaw doctor --deep --yes, then set up your first heartbeat check. The entire process takes 15-30 minutes for a basic setup.