This article has one goal: to get you from zero to a fully working OpenClaw flow in the shortest path possible — install, configure, connect to Telegram, send your first message, and receive an AI reply. No theory, no side quests, just the fastest route.
What Is OpenClaw
OpenClaw is an open-source AI Agent gateway that supports macOS, Linux, and Windows. Its core capability is connecting the chat tools you use every day (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage, etc.) to various AI models, letting you chat with AI directly in your familiar messaging interface.
A few core features worth knowing upfront:
- Multi-channel gateway: A single instance manages multiple chat platforms simultaneously
- Multi-agent routing: Different conversations can route to different AI models
- Session isolation: Conversation context is fully separated per user and per channel
- Plugin extensions: Extend functionality through the Skill system
- Media support: Handles images, voice, and other multimedia messages
That's enough background — let's get started.
Prerequisites
You only need two things:
- Node.js 22+: Run
node -vto check your version; upgrade if below 22 - A Telegram account: Telegram is the fastest channel to configure among all options — you just need a Bot Token
Step 1: Install OpenClaw
Open your terminal and run the global install:
npm install -g openclaw@latest
After installation, run the built-in environment check tool to confirm everything is ready:
openclaw doctor
If all checks pass, the installation is fine. If there are errors, fix them as prompted and re-run openclaw doctor.
Step 2: Initialize and Install the Daemon
Run the onboard command to complete initial configuration and install the background daemon:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
This step guides you through a few basic settings:
- Choose an AI model provider (e.g., OpenAI, Claude)
- Enter the corresponding API key
- Install the daemon so OpenClaw can run continuously in the background
All configuration is written to ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json. If you need to modify settings later, just edit this file directly.
Step 3: Log In and Configure the Telegram Channel
Next, connect your first chat channel. Run the login command:
openclaw channels login
Select Telegram, and the system will ask for your Bot Token. If you don't have one yet, follow these steps:
- Search for
@BotFatherin Telegram and start a conversation - Send
/newbotand follow the prompts to set a bot name and username - After creation, BotFather will return a Token (format like
7123456789:AAHxxx...)
Paste the Token into the terminal, and the channel configuration is done.
Step 4: Start the Gateway
Everything is ready — start the OpenClaw gateway:
openclaw gateway --port 18789
Once you see the terminal output confirming the gateway has started, open Telegram, find the bot you just created, and send a message — for example, "Hello."
If everything works, you'll receive an AI reply within seconds. Congratulations, your first AI conversation is up and running.
What's Next
After completing the basic flow, here are some directions worth exploring:
- Web Dashboard: OpenClaw provides a visual management console for monitoring conversations and adjusting settings
- Mobile Pairing: Use the Mobile Node feature to pair iOS or Android devices with your OpenClaw instance
- More Channels: Add WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, and other platforms via
openclaw channels login - Install Plugins: Browse and install community-developed feature plugins through the Skill Marketplace
The minimum viable path is these four steps. If everything goes smoothly, it really does take just 5 minutes. When issues arise, openclaw doctor is your best starting point for troubleshooting.