How to Install OpenClaw: AI Agent in 15 Minutes
In 15 minutes you’ll have an AI agent in Telegram. It remembers context, searches the web, and runs for free.
Not ChatGPT. Not a subscription. Your program on your computer.
If you haven’t read what OpenClaw is yet – start there. This article is just the installation.
Before you start: get your keys
Before installing anything – sign up and grab your free keys. Takes 5 minutes.
1. OpenRouter – your agent’s brain (free)
OpenRouter gives your agent access to free AI models – Qwen 3.6, DeepSeek, Gemma.
- Go to openrouter.ai → Sign Up
- Confirm email
- Settings → Keys → Create Key
- Copy the key (starts with
sk-or-...) – save it somewhere
2. Groq – voice messages (free)
Groq provides free voice transcription. With it you can send voice messages to your agent in Telegram – it’ll understand.
- Go to console.groq.com → Sign Up
- API Keys → Create API Key
- Copy the key – save next to OpenRouter
3. Telegram bot – your communication channel
- Open @BotFather in Telegram
- Send
/newbot - Pick a name (e.g. “My AI”) and username (e.g.
my_ai_2026_bot) - BotFather gives you a token like
7234567890:AAF...– copy it
Done. Three keys in hand. Now the install.
Installation: 4 commands
Mac
Open Terminal (Cmd+Space → “Terminal”):
# 1. Install Homebrew (if not already)/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
# 2. Install Node.jsbrew install node@22
# 3. Install OpenClawnpm install -g openclaw
# 4. Add to PATH (so the openclaw command works)echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrcsource ~/.zshrcWindows
- Install WSL2 – open PowerShell as administrator:
wsl --install- Restart your computer
- Open Ubuntu from the Start menu and follow the Linux steps below
Linux (Ubuntu)
# 1. Install Node.jscurl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bashsource ~/.bashrcnvm install 22
# 2. Install OpenClawnpm install -g openclawVerify
openclaw --version# Should show: OpenClaw 2026.x.xSee a version number? Moving on.
Setup: interactive quest
OpenClaw configures itself through the terminal. No JSON files to edit. Just answer questions.
Run the onboarding wizard
openclaw setup --wizardThe wizard walks you through basic settings. Answer the prompts – it handles the config.
Connect a model (OpenRouter)
openclaw models auth addSelect OpenRouter → paste your sk-or-... key → done.
Your agent can now think. For free.
Connect voice (Groq)
openclaw models auth addSelect Groq → paste your key → done.
Your agent now understands voice messages in Telegram.
Connect Telegram
openclaw channels addSelect Telegram → paste the BotFather token → done.
Launch
openclaw gatewaySee Gateway started in your terminal? Your agent is alive.
Open Telegram. Message your bot:
Hi. What can you do?It responds. Congratulations – your personal AI is live.
First skills
OpenClaw ships with 200+ skills. Enable the basics:
# See what's availableopenclaw skills list
# Start with these:openclaw skills install daily-briefingopenclaw skills install web-searchopenclaw skills install memory-tools| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
daily-briefing | Morning briefing in Telegram |
web-search | Agent can search the web on its own |
memory-tools | Remembers information between conversations |
TIPDon’t enable 50 skills at once. Start with 3-5. Add more as needed.
What’s next
Basic installation done. Next:
- Tell the agent about yourself – just message it in Telegram who you are and what you do. It’ll remember.
- Try voice – send a voice message. Groq transcribes, the agent responds.
- Add skills –
openclaw skills listshows all 200+ - Read how Gnosis OS works – full breakdown of a day with the system
Don’t want to set it up yourself?
I install and configure this system for people. Turnkey – from empty computer to working agent in Telegram.
Read also
Gnosis OS Gnosis OS