Install on macOS

Install OpenClaw on macOS (Mac, Mac Mini, MacBook). Step-by-step guide for openclaw mac installation using the install script or npm.

Prerequisites

Verify Node.js is installed:

node --version
# Expected: v22.x.x or higher

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

This script will:

npm install -g openclaw@latest

Verify the installation:

openclaw --version

Run the onboarding wizard:

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The wizard guides you through:

# Check Gateway status
openclaw gateway status

# Open the dashboard
openclaw dashboard

The dashboard opens at http://127.0.0.1:18789/.

OpenClaw installs as a macOS launch agent for automatic startup:

# Start the daemon
openclaw service start

# Stop the daemon
openclaw service stop

# Check status
openclaw service status

The launch agent plist is located at:

~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.gateway.plist

The configuration file is located at:

~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

If macOS blocks the binary:

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine $(which openclaw)

If you installed Node.js via Homebrew, ensure your PATH includes:

export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"

Fix permissions on the install directory:

sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/bin